KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Combined Task Force Dragoon (2d Cavalry Regiment) has officially taken the reigns of the western and northern portions of Kandahar Province from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, during a ceremony Sept. 5, 2013, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
The ceremony formally marked the end of 1st Brigade's service in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and its redeployment back to Fort Bliss, Texas.
The commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command Lt. Gen. Mark A. Milley, the commanders of the three Afghan National Army brigades that partner with CTF Dragoon and local government leaders attended the ceremony. The task force has been deployed to Afghanistan for more than two months and continue to build on their partnership with the local Afghan Government and security forces in southern Afghanistan.
The Afghan commanders received a tour of CTF Dragoon's headquarters following the ceremony and met with the command and staff to discuss on-going and future operations in their respective area of operations with the members of the regiment.
Two of the regiment's units, 3rd and Field Artillery Squadrons, have also joined the task force during the past few weeks, making it possible for the regiment to take ownership of the entire province. They will extend their responsibilities to the remaining districts including Maiwand, Zharay, Arghandab, Shah Wali Kot, Nesh, Mya Neshin, Ghorak, Khakrez and Kandahar City that makes up the rest of Kandahar Province. The districts were previously under the task force authority of 1st BCT, 1st AD.
CTF Dragoon continues to assist Afghan soldiers and security forces as they lead the overall operations and missions to eliminate insurgent forces in Afghanistan.
"Our brigade's time in Afghanistan comes to a close, but we are thankful our replacements are no strangers to Kandahar," said Col. Ken P. Adgie, commander of 1st BCT, 1st AD. "Colonel Sims and his regiment have been in Dand, Daman and Panjwai (districts) for the last 60 days and now take responsibility for the districts of western and northern Kandahar. There is not a better unit in our army and we are proud this trained and disciplined unit will join our Afghan partners."
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