NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
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Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
May 27, 2003
Release Number: 03-05-102
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
COALITION JOINT TASK FORCE 180 CONDUCTS TRANSITION OF AUTHORITY
BAGRAM, AFGHANISTAN - Major General John R. Vines took command of Coalition Joint Task Force 180 from Lt. Gen. Dan K. McNeill during a transition of authority ceremony at Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, today.
General Vines will lead the 11,500-strong coalition as CJTF 180 continues its focus on establishing the conditions for stability and reconstruction. The TOA is part of the regular rotation of coalition forces. It will not change the coalition's commitment to providing stability to the people of Afghanistan.
Coalition Joint Task Force 180 includes servicemembers from all the U.S. Armed Services and as many as 33 coalition countries.
The Task Force, formed in May 2002, has conducted combat and civil-military operations to destroy remnants of al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Vines, a native of Alabama, commanded the Coalition Task Force 82 in Afghanistan from August 2002 until its inactivation April 28. He has served as the Deputy Commanding General of CJTF 180 since then.
Part of the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y., will replace selected staff members and assume leadership duties with coalition forces of CJTF 180. A brigade from the 10th Mountain Division is scheduled to replace the 82nd Airborne Division's 1st Brigade from Fort Bragg, as the lead U.S. conventional combat arms unit in Afghanistan.
In the past year, under Gen. McNeill's command, CJTF 180 conducted civil military and humanitarian assistance operations, established Provincial Reconstruction Teams, trained more than 5,000 soldiers for the Afghan National Army, and conducted both lethal and non-lethal combat operations to destroy the ability of al Qaeda and Taliban forces from conducting terrorist activity in Afghanistan.
Gen. McNeill's next assignment has not been announced.
During a visit to Afghanistan in May, the Honorable Donald Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, told President Karzai, "We are at a point where we clearly have moved from major combat activity to a period of stability, and stabilization and reconstruction activities. The bulk of this country today is progressive and secure."
Rumsfeld's remarks marked a shift in the coalition's effort from lethal to non-lethal operations more focused now on civil affairs and humanitarian assistance.
"We have a very important job here in Afghanistan," said Gen. Vines as he addressed the coalition audience and guests from the government of Afghanistan.
"Our governments are committed to helping Afghanistan establish a peaceful nation," Gen. Vines said. "That's not an easy task, but one we're committed to doing."
"After nearly 24 years of continuous conflict, Afghanistan is more stable today than a year ago by almost any measurement," said Col. Rodney Davis, CJTF 180 Director of Public Affairs. "Although there are some areas of instability within regions, it's clear that CJTF 180 has had a significant impact on the enemy."
Compared to where coalition operations were at the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom, the key indicators as far as conflict is concerned are all down, said Col. Davis. The number and frequency of lethal combat operations are down. The number of deaths, firefights and improvised explosive devices are all down. The Taliban is no longer ruling the country. There is a functioning government and a measure of stability in Afghanistan. A new Afghan National Army is being formed, and more than one million displaced Afghans have returned, demonstrating that many have faith that the country can rebuild, Davis said.
Through Gen. Vines' leadership, CJTF 180 will continue to build conditions for stability, security and reconstruction for Afghanistan.
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