3rd ID hands over command in southern Afghanistan Posted: July 10, 2013 By Corey Dickstein Savannah Morning News - Savannah Now The 3rd Infantry Division this week relinquished command of U.S. and Coalition troops in southern Afghanistan after serving the last year as the head of the International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command-South. During a ceremony at Kandahar Airfield, where 3rd ID command Maj. Gen. Robert Abrams and the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion have been stationed since arriving in theatre last August, the general transitioned command to the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division and its commanding general Maj. Gen. Paul LaCamera. During the Monday ceremony, Abrams credited the American and international service members he commanded over the last year. “It brings me great pride and honor to stand among this amassed group of incredibly brave leaders, who are fully invested in the security and governance of Afghanistan,” Abrams said. “I am sincerely humbled by the sacrifice extended in both blood and treasure from all those represented here today as members of the coalition and the (Afghan Nation Security Forces).” LaCamera and the 4th ID will now play a pivotal role as ISAF continues to draw down its force size and turn increasingly more combat operations over to its Afghan counterparts. “We are wrapping up the 11th round of this 12-round fight and the ANSF of (Regional Command-South) have proven their ability to lead and conduct independent operations for this 12th and final round,” said Abrams. “There is a Pashtun proverb that says if you have jumped across a stream once, the next jump becomes easier.” Abrams and the about 700 other 3rd ID soldiers with DHHB will soon return to Fort Stewart, where Abrams is expected to soon turn over command of the division he has lead since April 2011 to incoming commanding general Maj. Gen. John M. Murray. The Army has not announced when that command change will be held or what Abrams’ next assignment will be. Military leaders in Afghanistan at the Ceremony Monday credited Abrams and his leadership team during the past year in Afghanistan with helping vastly improve the abilities of the Afghan army. “Not only have the soldiers of (Regional Command-South) defended the Afghan people, they have also enabled the Afghan people to defend themselves through the Afghan National Security Forces,” said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Mark A. Milley, commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command. “It is the growing confidence, competence and capabilities of the ANSF that will allow the people of Afghanistan to live their lives without fear, and all of you here (Monday) have helped to make that dream a reality.”
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 22:47:59 +0000
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