OPERATING BASE FENTY, Afghanistan - U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Task Forces Tigershark and Gunfighters held a Transfer of Authority Ceremony at Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan, April 5, 2017.
The TOA marked the transition from TF Gunfighters, led by the command team of 1st Battalion (Attack Reconnaissance), 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, to TF Tigershark, led by the command team of 1st Battalion (Attack Reconnaissance), 229th Aviation Regiment, 16th Combat Aviation Brigade, 7th Infantry Division.
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Paul Calvert, Train, Advise, Assist Command - East commander, gave remarks on the performance of TF Gunfighters during the ceremony.
"I don't think there is any other accolade that you can give a formation that means more than saying they are reliable. It means you're on time, you're ready, you're proficient, you're capable, you have the will to take the fight to the enemy," said Calvert. "Task Force Gunfighters has done that day in and day out from day one of being here."
During their eight months in Afghanistan, TF Gunfighters participated in the planning and execution of three large-scale counter-terrorism operations, 7,600 missions, 48 medical evacuations, and 21 resupply missions. They did all of it while flying over 16,000 accident-free hours, despite the dangers of flying in their operational area.
"Eastern Afghanistan is one of the most hazardous areas on the planet in which you can operate a helicopter," said U.S. Army Col. John Cyrulik, 1st CAB commander. "The unpredictable and often severe weather coupled with a determined and well-armed enemy make this operating environment exceptionally dangerous."
TF Gunfighters worked with ground forces throughout their area of operation and built a strong relationship of trust during their eight months in Afghanistan.
"When ground elements hear call signs like 'Gun', 'Exile', 'Goliath' and 'Dustoff' they know the men and women on those aircraft and those supporting the operations from an operating base are going to put it on the line for them," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Travis Habhab, 1-1 ARB commander.
TF Gunfighters spent several weeks working with the TF Tigershark team to prepare for a seamless transition. Even before the ceremony's official marking of the transition's completion, TF Tigershark was already taking on missions around the operational area.
"It's no different for Task Force Tigershark as they come in here," said Calvert. "They've already gotten past the first 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 engagements. They're making a difference already - reliable, consistent, ready."
"We will be following your deployment and cheering you on from Fort Riley," said Cyrulik. "We are fortunate to have such a talented unit follow the Gunfighters."
U.S. Army Lt. Col. David Bunker, 1-229th ARB commander, reminded the attendees of TF Tigershark's ultimate focus during his remarks.
"To our supported units, to borrow a phrase we like to say in 16th CAB, I will say simply this: it's not about us, it's about you," said Bunker. "Task Force Tigershark will continue to answer your call decisively, violently and without hesitation."
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