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MEB-Afghanistan assumes control of Marine battle space

US Marine Corps News

5/29/2009 By Cpl. Aaron Rooks, 2nd MEB

CAMP LEATHERNECK, Helmand Province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force-Afghanistan transferred control of Marine battle space in southern Afghanistan to Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan during a transfer of authority ceremony here May 29.

The event, in which Brig. Gen. Larry Nicholson, commanding general of MEB-Afghanistan, assumed authority of Marine battle space and forces in Helmand Province from Col. Duffy White, commanding officer of SPMAGTF-Afghanistan, began with an invocation from Navy Cmdr. Phil Pelikan, brigade chaplain, that echoed hope for the future, as representatives from the United States, United Kingdom and Afghanistan gathered in support of the brigade.

“Use us now,” Pelikan said during his prayer, “to partner with and help the people of Afghanistan and preserve justice and freedom in their land.”

That partnership has been built upon by SPMAGTF-Afghanistan. The unit deployed in late 2008 as a bridging force, White said, to maintain a strong Marine Corps presence in southern Afghanistan, following the efforts of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Task Force 2/7, composed of 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment. MEB-Afghanistan, he said, was the force they were waiting for.

“Our goal, in what was different from between the 24th MEU and 2/7, was that we knew a larger MAGTF was coming,” White said. “That was part of our design, to be able to facilitate, coordinate and enable the larger Marine growth here in southern Afghanistan.”

White labeled SPMAGTF-Afghanistan as the “little MAGTF that could,” stating that the unit was, “globally sourced and aggregated,” so that Marines could come to the fight.

The SPMAGTF has now been absorbed by MEB-Afghanistan and today became Regimental Combat Team 3, the brigade’s ground combat element. White, who assumed command of RCT-3 during the ceremony, said his former command’s mission was accomplished, and now they’re moving on to accomplish a new one as an RCT.

“My deployment is halfway done,” White said, “and as I see it, the best part is about to come. It will be a game changer for this part of the country.”

Nicholson then took the floor and brought attention to Forward Operating Base Delaram, where 11 Marines from 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, commanded by Lt. Col. David Odom, made the ultimate sacrifice to bring security and stability to the south.

The general identified Delaram and the area around it, where Marines have developed a positive relationship with the local people, the police force and the mayor, as an example of the stability and success that can be achieved here.

He also made note of Lashkar-Gah, an area southeast of Camp Leatherneck, stating successes can be found there as well.
“We have one hell of a team here in Helmand Province,” said Nicholson, motioning toward the American, British and Afghan forces in the audience. “I think we can change the dynamic here.”

Brigadier Tim Radford, commander of Task Force Helmand, the British unit that operates adjacent to Task Force Leatherneck, agreed with Nicholson, stating that he believes coalition forces here can make a difference and make the country better.

Nicholson said the Marines will never forget that the focus of their mission is the Afghan people. With the cooperation of Afghan National Security Forces and national elections nearing, he said, a door has been opened for a successful operation.

Gen. Mohayoddin Ghori, commander of the 3rd Brigade, 205th Corps, Afghan National Army, said achieving success will not be easy.

“We have a huge challenge against the enemies in the future,” he said.

Following his comments, Nicholson introduced White; Col. Kevin Vest, commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group-40; Col. John Simmons, commanding officer of Combat Logistics Regiment-2; Lt. Col. Chris Naler, commanding officer of MEB-Afghanistan’s Headquarters Group; and Sgt. Maj. Ernest Hoopii, brigade sergeant major, as the team who will help him lead MEB-Afghanistan’s efforts in the coming months.