KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The responsibility of aviation operations in Regional Commands South, Southwest, and West was officially passed from Task Force Wings, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, to Task Force Falcon, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade Jan. 9, on the flight line of Kandahar Airfield, in southern Afghanistan.
Maj. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams and Command Sgt. Maj. Edd Watson, the senior commander and command sergeant major in RC-South and the Third Infantry Division, were in attendance along with senior leaders from the Kandahar Air Wing, who have in recent weeks made strides toward Afghan independence through strengthening the partnership with Task Force Falcon.
The airfield was a fitting backdrop for the aviation task forces ceremony where aircraft depart daily to support ground forces in an area slightly smaller than the state of Montana.
"Today we mark the transition of two of the most unappreciated and overextended formations in our Army during the past decade plus in persistent conflict," said Maj. Gen. Abrams, speaking on the high operation tempo of the combat aviation brigade.
Strong words from Maj. Gen. Abrams reinforced Task Force Wings' job well done and welcomed the familiar Dog Face Soldiers deploying from Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
"While I'm sad to see the 25th CAB leave, I'm heartened to know that there are dog face soldiers at the controls and dominating the airspace," said Maj. Gen. Abrams. "Your reputation precedes you. We all know you very, very well."
The Task Force Falcon commander, Col. Allan Pepin is familiar with the high standards of the Marne Division and recognizes the key to this mission being Afghan independence.
"The Falcon brigade is proud to support Afghan independence and is proud to do so shone pa shone [shoulder by shoulder] with our Afghan partners and the ground forces we support," said Col. Pepin.
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