NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- The 3rd Cavalry Regiment assumed responsibility of the Train, Advise and Assist Command-East mission during a transfer of responsibility ceremony at Operating Base Fenty here June 7.
The ceremony exemplified the spirit of partnership in every way. Members of the Afghan National Army and Afghan National Police forces sat alongside their U.S. Army and NATO coalition force counterparts to farewell 3rd Brigade Combat Team "Patriots," of the 10th Mountain Division, and welcome the 3rd Cavalry Regiment "Brave Rifles."
After casing his unit's colors, Col. Guy Jones, 3rd Brigade Combat Team commander, thanked his soldiers for their teamwork during the deployment. Partnership is about working together to establish brotherhood between the Afghan forces and U.S. soldiers, said Jones.
As the morning summer heat began to build, Col. Kevin D. Admiral and Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Barker, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment command team, uncased the regimental colors signifying the official start of their unit's mission here.
"The 3rd Cavalry Regiment is no stranger to Afghanistan," said Admiral. "Today, we begin another chapter of our 170-year history of the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen."
Brig. Gen. Michael Howard, the commanding general of TAAC-E and deputy commanding general of 10th Mountain Division, attended the ceremony and thanked the Patriots team for their hard work and progress made throughout their deployment.
"I will never stop owing each of you a debt of gratitude," said Howard of the 10th Mountain Soldiers. "Going forward, we are going to honor your accomplishments by carrying on your work."
Howard also welcomed the Brave Rifles team and reminded those in attendance the reason we are here is to partner. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment takes on the responsibility of training, advising and assisting the Afghan National Defense Forces counterparts in providing security for the people of eastern Afghanistan.
"I'm not worried," said Howard of the transition. "You (Brave Rifles) have already picked up where the Patriots left off."
This is the Brave Rifles second deployment to Afghanistan in support of the TAAC-E mission.
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