Red Bulls patrol area around COP Najil
LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army Capt. Jason Merchant, the company commander of Company A, 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment, Task Force Ironman from Dysart, Iowa, hands out cards Dec. (click for more)
64th MPs: Brothers, sisters in arms
KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. Lauren Hyman of Texarkana, Texas, armored vehicle driver for the 64th Military Police Company based at Combat Oupost Fortress, says hello to an (click for more)
Iowa town showers small Afghan school with supplies
LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Taylor Gingrich, an infantry officer from Cedar Falls, Iowa, with Task Force Ironman, draws a smile from an Afghan boy as Gingrich (click for more)
TF Knighthawk Soldier prepares for recording contract during deployment
LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Spc. Brian Stowe, a human resources specialist from Elkmont, Ala., with Task Force Knighthawk, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, sings a ballad he wrote and (click for more)
Guard team partners with Afghan security forces
PAKTYA, Afghanistan – Servicemembers defend the wall after an improvised explosive device detonates on Forward Operating Base Lightning Dec. 5. (click for more)
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KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan and French military chiefs conduct a briefing before deployment during a security operation. Afghan National Security Forces and French Task Force Richelieu conducted Operation Montevideo (click for more)
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PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Phil Compton, Doty, Wash., Panjshir PRT engineer, and PRT local Afghan engineer Abid Wardak check the structural integrity of the retaining (click for more)
TF White Eagle saves lives of mother, infant
GHAZNI PROVINCE, Afghanistan – An Afghan family looks at their new family member after she was delivered by the Polish Army medical team at Forward Operating Base Warrior Jan. 3. (click for more)
1st Bn., 187th Inf. Regt., patrols Sabari District
KHOWST PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- Soldiers from 2nd Platoon, Company B, 1st Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, maneuver through Sabari District during patrols to disrupt insurgent activity in the (click for more)
Freedom Restoration Center helps troops get back to duty
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – U.S. Army Sgt. Shawn Fouste, Decatur, Ill., noncommissioned officer in charge of the Freedom Restoration Center with the 455th Expeditionary Wing, Task Force Med, plays with (click for more)










PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, assumed responsibility for full-spectrum operations in eastern Afghanistan from the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during a transfer-of-authority ceremony at Bagram Airfield Dec. 4.
The ceremony marked the departure of Task Force Wolverine of the Vermont National Guard and begins the rotation of Task Force Red Bulls of the Iowa National Guard in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Soldiers were joined by U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, commander of Combined Joint Task Force-101 and Regional Command-East, and distinguished visitors from Afghanistan including Gov. Adbul Salangi from Parwan. Also in attendance was Maj. Gen Abdual Rahimi Jalil from the Operational Coordination Center–Provincial, Parwan, and the commanders of the 1st Brigade, 201st Corps, Afghan National Army and the Parwan police district.
Campbell commented on the achievements and challenges TF Wolverine faced during its rotation. TF Wolverine worked with various Provincial Reconstruction Teams and Agribusiness Development Teams, coalition task forces and other enablers to build governance, improve the infrastructure and both train security forces and work with them to secure their area of operation. Their mission improved the quality of life for the Afghan people and the safety and security of the country.
“All of these successes were designed to build the capacity and capability of the Afghan National Security Forces and the local government so they could meet the basic needs of the Afghan people,” Campbell said. “By creating the most secure provinces in Regional Command-East, TF Wolverine poised the leadership of these provinces for success.”
Campbell wished TF Wolverine a safe trip home and welcomed TF Red Bulls to Afghanistan, stating his confidence in their ability build on the successes TF Wolverine had while here.
“I have seen many of the TF Red Bulls soldiers in my battlefield circulation and I can tell you first hand that they are well disciplined and well-trained,” said Campbell. “I am confident standing here today that TF Red Bulls is exactly the right unit to continue the mission and the successes TF Wolverine carried on.”
U.S. Army Col. William Roy, TF Wolverine commander, headquartered in Williston, Vt., addressed his counterpart U.S. Army Col. Benjamin J. Corell, a Strawberry Point, Iowa, native and TF Red Bulls commander. Roy stated his hope for TF Red Bulls to continue their mission of assisting the Afghan government in developing their capability and capacity to support the Afghan people.
“It is truly an honor to turn this mission over to you and your team,” Roy said. “We have done all we can in the time we have had. But there is still much left to be done. I can think of no finer brigade to turn this mission over to than the mighty Red Bulls. We wish you the best of luck and Godspeed in the days ahead.”
Corell spoke to the Soldiers about his expectations of the mission ahead and the importance of working together with the Afghans and other coalition forces to build a brighter future for the Afghan people and improve the quality for all Afghan citizens.
“TF Red Bulls, we start a new chapter in the history of this historic Red Bull division,” said Corell. “As we take over the full weight of this mission, we know we can count on our coalition partners and Afghan brothers to help us meet our common goal ... Together, this team will continue the work of TF Wolverine and build on the successes that they have had.”
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Afghan forces, TF Bastogne continue operations in Sherzad District |
NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Soldiers from 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Task Force Bastogne, continued operations in the Sherzad District Jan. 8 clearing the village of Toto of insurgent fighters to reinforce a foundation of security in the area. |
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TF Iron eliminates insurgent IED team |
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TF Iron Rakkasan uses PTDS to prevent highway robbery |
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Joint operation helps clear Sherzad of insurgent activity |
NANGARHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Afghan National Security Forces and Soldiers from Task Force Bastogne began operations in the Sherzad District Dec. 23. |
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