By KUNA
Kabul : The 101st Airborne Division took command of the Regional Command East (RC-East) from the 82nd Airborne Division in a transfer of authority ceremony, a military statement here said on Frinday.
Speaking during the ceremony, commander of the 101st Airborne and CJTF-101 Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Schloesser praised the 82nd Airborne for their “effective service” during the previous 15 months in Afghanistan.
“We pledge to work together with our coalition and Afghan partners in an effort to build a strong government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to improve the quality of life for the people of Afghanistan who have seen too much violence and terror over the last 30 years,” said the new general.
He added that the transition of authority also reflects the total commitment of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance, ISAF and the US government to the security and prosperity of Afghanistan.
“We pledge that we will continue to support the Afghan National Security Forces as they provide security for the Afghan people by working together with our coalition and alliance partners and interagency organizations,” said Maj. Gen. Schloesser.
“The purpose of the ceremony today is not about words,” said Maj. Gen. David M. Rodriguez, outgoing commander of RC-East. “It is about better opportunities for the future of the Afghan people and it is about the coalition’s enduring commitment to this nation.” Regional Command East is comprised of 14 provinces in eastern Afghanistan. Majority of those provinces are bordering the neighbouring Pakistan.