KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan Aca,!" Task Force Destiny, from Fort Campbell, Ky., officially began their next Aca,!A"Rendezvous with DestinyAca,!A?, and assumed control of aviation operations from TF Pegasus during a transfer of authority ceremony here April 15.
The mission of TF Destiny is to conduct combat operations in support of coalition forces in Regional Command (South) and Regional Command (West) in order to protect the population, separate the insurgents, enhance freedom of movement, and protect the mission of U.S. and coalition forces.
Aca,!A"We are honored to be a part of Regional Command (South),Aca,!A? said Col. William Gayler, TF Destiny commander. Aca,!A"Knowing full well the importance of our efforts here over the next year, both for the coalition, and most importantly, for the Afghan people.Aca,!A?
TF Destiny embraces this vital mission, acknowledging the importance of their duty here.
Aca,!A"The command team of TF Destiny assume the tremendously important role of providing U.S. Army rotary wing aviation support to Regional Command (South), Region Command (West) and critical medevac support to Regional Command (North),Aca,!A? said Col. Paul Bricker, TF Pegasus commander. Aca,!A"If I could select but one CAB to replace us, it would be this team.Aca,!A?
The Soldiers and leaders of TF Destiny are confident in their ability to assume this mission which TF Pegasus has successfully accomplished.
Aca,!A"With the uncasing of our colors, and assumption of the mission here today, I can confidently report that the Soldiers serving under these colors are extremely well prepared and focused on the important work which lies ahead,Aca,!A? said Gayler.
TF Destiny conducted multiple training events focusing on both individual and collective tasks.
Aviators and crew chiefs participated in readiness level progression training, performing mission essential tasks to accomplish successful joint and combined operations at the individual, crew and unit levels.
They also participated in High Altitude Aircraft Training at Fort Carson, Colo., challenging aviators with high-altitude flight planning and aircraft operations in mountainous environments, replicating the terrain of Afghanistan.
The brigade conducted multiple rotations at the Joint Readiness Training Center, improving unit readiness by creating realistic, stressful, joint and combined arms training, and the National Training Center, a realistic battlefield practice across a range of military operations.
They conducted command and control systems training with a brigade level Tactical Operations Center Exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., testing long- range communication capability, training on TOC operations, and verifying battle drills.
Additionally, the brigadeAca,!a,,cs command and control was tested in a situation based Aviation Training Exercise at Fort Rucker, Ala., where all levels of the brigade confirmed their ability to plan, prepare, execute, and maintain situational awareness of multiple complex missions.
Aca,!A"The Destiny team is well trained and well manned and certainly most well led,Aca,!A? said Bricker.
As TF Destiny assumes the role of TF Pegasus here, there were many achievements and accomplishments they pay tribute to.
TF Pegasus was the only U.S. Army aviation brigade operating in RC(S) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom X, when they arrived here May 15, 2009.
Aca,!A"There is much more that Pegasus Troopers have accomplished,Aca,!A? said Bricker. Aca,!A"We are proud to have supported the coalition here in Afghanistan and earnestly pray for their safety and protection as this dangerous work here continues.Aca,!A?
TF Pegasus accomplished their mission supporting RC(S) and RC(W) by being agile and ready.
Aca,!A"YouAca,!a,,cve had to handle an extraordinary change in mindset, because midway through your tour of duty, our approach has switched from one focused on defeating an insurgency to one that is focused on protecting the population,Aca,!A? said Maj. Gen. Nick Carter, commander of RC(S). Aca,!A"A far more challenging doctrine that places respect, understanding, and above all, restraint at the forefront of operations. Whereas our generation measured gallantry on the bases of courage under fire, this generation will be judged on its ability to exercise restraint.Aca,!A?
TF Destiny is eager and prepared to exceed these standards set by TF Pegasus in their next Aca,!A"Rendezvous with Destiny.Aca,!A?
Aca,!A"I am most confident that the new Destiny team will raise the bar even higher in support of Regional Command (South),Aca,!A? said Bricker. Aca,!A"After having spent the last month overseeing the great team assume their vital role in providing medevac to three-fourths of Afghanistan, armed reconnaissance, air assault, aerial sustainment and general support airlift, you have my word that they are indeed ready to go.Aca,!A?
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