Transfer of Authority in Afghanistan

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Under the shade of a tan camouflage net, the Soldiers of Task Force Ripcord stood in formation next to their brethren from Task Force Dragoon for a ceremony marking the Transfer of Authority between the two task forces on 13 May 2012.

The Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 385th Military Police Battalion from Fort Stewart, GA completed a successful one-year deployment as part of Task Force Dragoon. Their mission will be taken over by the Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 503d Military Police Battalion (Airborne) from Fort Bragg, NC. This transfer of authority was more significant as the two Battalions headquarters are sister units under the 16^th Military Police Brigade from Fort Bragg, NC.

Based at Camp Nathan Smith near Kandahar City, Afghanistan, Task Force Dragoon under the leadership of Lt. Col. Eugenia Guilmartin and Command Sgt. Maj. William Fath provided mentorship and training to various Afghan Uniformed Police substations in the northern districts of Kandahar City. Their new skills and expertise benefited many Afghan policemen by increasing their professional capability and developing their duties in law enforcement, traffic control point operations and the protection of the Afghan population in Kandahar City.

The Fort Bragg-based Soldiers of HHD, 503d Military Police Battalion (Airborne), now Task Force Ripcord – under the leadership of Lt.Col. Terry Nihart and Command Sgt.Maj. Billy Counts- begin a nine-month deployment to continue the training and competence of the Afghan Uniformed Police in Northern Kandahar. 

Based out of Camp Nathan Smith, Task Force Ripcord will conduct unified land operations focused on police professionalism and security operations at the various police stations and checkpoints in its area of responsibility.  Lt.Col. Nihart told the attending Afghan police officials that “it is a great honor to stand among heroes and brave Afghan people in this mission and we are proud to be called your friends”.

TF Ripcord, along with their Afghan partners, will enhance the security of the city and the stability of the region. In his speech, Lt. Col. Nihart described his Battalion’s mission to “stand ready to ensure our enemies will not hinder the progress you (Afghans) have made in security and stability in Afghanistan”.