BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Fifteen months after transferA,A!ring authority of Regional CommandA,A!East, the 82nd Airborne Division is back and officially assumed comA,A!mand of RC-East from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) during a ceremony at Bagram Airfield Wednesday.
The ceremony marks the official transition from Combined Joint Task Force-101 to Combined Joint Task Force-82, with the new unit assuming responsibility for 14 provinces in eastern Afghanistan along the Pakistan border.
During the ceremony, Maj. Gen. Curtis Scaparrotti, commander of the 82nd Abn. Div. and CJTF-82, praised the 101st Abn. Div. for their 15 months of service working to enhance the lives of the Afghan people.
"The leadership of the 101st forged an exceptional team that has proven an unparalleled understanding of, and performance in, this complex environment," Scaparrotti said. "In partnership with the people of Afghanistan, they have taken the fight to our common enemy and improved the lives of thousands of Afghan citizens."
Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser, commander of the 101st Abn. Div. and CJTF-101 reflected on the accomplishments made by the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, civilians and coalition partners in his task force during past 15 months while also looking to the future with CJTF-82.
"You can hold your head high at what you were able to accomplish. History will record your accomplishments here, fighting those who would terrorize the world," Schloesser said. "While we say farewell to Afghanistan, another great task force returns to take our place."
The 82nd Airborne Division - no strangers to Afghanistan - led by Major General Scaparrotti will continue to assist the government, the Afghan national security forces,
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