 US Military Lead
Major General Joseph J. Taluto was accompanied by New York State Command Sergeant Major Robert Van Pelt to see members of the New York National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team serving in Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII. Their trip over was made possible by the Joint Military Access for Reserve Components (JMARCs) program, which makes it possible for select reserve component leaders to visit federally deployed members of their command serving inside a theater of operations. "It gives me a tremendous amount of pride," said General Taluto. "People have been bragging to me since the brigade has gotten over here about how well things have gone. And, now I have eyes-on and can see it for myself," he said. Despite the tight schedule, General Taluto enjoyed reuniting with Soldiers that he has served with over the years and especially when he was the commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, New York National Guard that deployed to Iraq in 2005. "We are all proud back in New York with what the 27th is doing and with the men and women of this brigade," he added. "We are like proud parents. But the fact is, the men and women here are the ones who are doing it and deserve the credit," he said. "It is a tremendous honor for the 27th to host our state commander while we are serving here in the combat theater," said Colonel Brian K. Balfe, commander of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix and the 27th BCT. "Major General Taluto and Command Sergeant Major Van Pelt have given us tremendous support since we were given this assignment and the visit sends a great message to the task force that we are on their screen and our leadership at home really cares," he said. The brief visit was accomplished inside a tightly controlled itinerary that brought the visitors from Bagram Air Field, to Camp Phoenix and to the Kabul Military training Center before they had to leave from Kabul International Airport on May 30th. Also participating in the visit were Major General Christopher Ingram and Command Sergeant Major Lauren Anderson of the 70th Reserve Readiness Command, Major General James Archer and Command Sergeant Major Paul Hill of the 95th Reserve Readiness Command, and Brigadier General Joseph Depaul, Assistant Adjutant General of Pennsylvania and Command Sergeant Major Donald Shiner of the Pennsylvania National Guard. Nearly 1700 members of the New York National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade combat Team, with assigned troops from across New York State, are presently serving as a part of the task force. The mobilization last January of the 27th marked the largest single deployment from New York in recent memory. The mission of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix is to mentor and train the Afghan National Army and Police and provide assistance to the Government of Afghanistan and its people. ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:
|
