BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Members of Task Force Cyclone of the Indiana National Guard's 38th Infantry Division relinquished command of their area of operations to Task Force Wolverine of the Vermont National Guard's 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team during a transfer of authority ceremony held here in the Parwan province March 31.
Task Force Wolverine took over operations in Parwan, Panjshir, and Bamyan provinces, while Task Force Cyclone Soldiers will be heading to the Kabul area to finish out the last few months of their deployment to assist the operations of the Kabul area military bases.
Hundreds of service members and civilians attended the event as well as distinguished guests that included military members and Afghan leaders.
Army Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 82, welcomed Task Force Wolverine to their new mission and praised the accomplishments of Task Force Cyclone.
"I know the 38th Infantry Division Headquarters will continue its historic deployment in RC Central and bring the same level of professionalism and enthusiasm to Kabul that you brought here," said Scaparrotti. "The task that we've given them, [Cyclone], to come in and RIP in to Bagram, do the Bagram Airfield and area of operations mission these past months, conduct a RIP with another unit here and do their own RIP in Kabul to take another mission all before they deploy, was quite a task and it was done seamlessly and exceptionally well."
Army Brig. Gen. Lonnie Culver, commander of Task Force Cyclone, described the accomplishments of his task force's units while praising those who assisted in the mission's success.
"To Task Force Cyclone, this is a great command, and I thank each of you for your dedication, hard work and commitment to all our successes," said Culver. "All that we've accomplished has been a team effort between CJTF-82 and Task Force Cyclone in partnership with our Afghan allies."
Army Col. William Roy, commander of Task Force Wolverine, spoke about the task force's new mission.
"We are very grateful to General Culver and his command for all that they have done in helping us to prepare for this mission. You have set a very high standard for us to follow," said Roy. "Today we live up to our brigade's historical motto, 'Ready to go.'"