Trasfer of Authority at Camp Leatherneck
By Capt. Bill Pelletier, Public Affairs Officer, MEB-Afghanistan
Jun 1, 2009 - 6:49:26 PM
Blackanthem Military News
CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - The transfer of authority from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Afghanistan to Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, also called "Task Force Leatherneck", officially occurred May 29 during a ceremony here.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding general of Task Force Leatherneck, assumed responsibility for the task force's area of operations. The area includes the districts of Now Zad, Washir, Golestan, Delaram and Bakwa.
"We have one hell of a team here in Helmand Province," said Nicholson, motioning toward the American, British and Afghan forces in the audience. "I think we can change the dynamic here."
Col. Duffy White, commanding officer of SPMAGTF-A, remains in command of Regimental Combat Team-3, which will serve as the ground combat element of the task force. A comprehensive list of units can be found as an attachment to this release.
Guests at the ceremony included U.S. Army Gen. David McKiernan, commander of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, Gen. Mohayoddin, commander of 3rd Brigade, 205th Corps, Afghan National Army, and Brigadier Tim Radford, commander of Task Force Helmand, a brigade of British, Estonian and Danish soldiers that operates adjacent to Task Force Leatherneck.