FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan - The Republic of Albania, Special Operations Forces team Eagle 5, which has served in Afghanistan for seven months, transferred authority of their missions in the district of Spin Boldak, Afghanistan, to team Eagle 6 in a ceremony Feb. 14 here.
Republic of Albania SOF units have directly supported NATO and International Security Assistance Force operations since 2003 and have served in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Iraq and Afghanistan.
In their current tour, team Eagle 5 took part in more than 120 missions, three major operations and served as the Quick Reaction Force in the Combined Task Force 2-23 (2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment) Area of Operations in ISAF's Regional Command - South.
Team Eagle Five's major duties included training and mentoring Afghan National Security Forces in weapons proficiency, communications, field medical treatment, vehicle and personnel searches and the operational planning process.
"We had great cooperation with or Afghan partners," said Albanian Lt. Col. Ekland Dauti, the team Eagle 5 commander. "We give them assistance but the goal is to help Afghans lead their operations and help themselves."
"With their partnership we offer security and peace to the people of Afghanistan," said Dauti.
Team Eagle 5 also provided security and over watch for the District Support Team, Civil Affairs Team and the U.S. Agency for International Development that directly contributed to the success of Afghan Government projects in Spin Boldak, said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Thomas M. Feltey, the CTF 2-23 commander.
"That's the best contribution that we can provide," said Albanian army Col. Dritan Demiraj, the visiting commander of the Republic of Albania, Special Operations Forces. "By providing the elite of our armed forces and fighting for a new Afghanistan and a better government."
After helping to foster a more stable government and stronger security forces in Spin Boldak, team Eagle Five's successes will be forever engrained in the growing district. Their ISAF partners will remember their contributions as well.
"As I see Eagle 6 take the place of Eagle 5, I feel truly honored to have served alongside such a fine group of warriors," said Feltey. "I speak for all of us when I say that we are sincerely grateful for Eagle Five's service."
Continuing the Albanian Special Forces missions and building on their successes, team Eagle 6 is prepared to take the lead.
"I would like to express our commitment to ensure our American brothers in arms and Afghan partners that we will work and fight hard to accomplish every mission given to us," said Lt. Col. Agim Kucana, the commander of team Eagle 6.
"We are proud of the excellent job done," said Kucana. "Now it is our turn to do so."
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