bobdina
10-12-2009, 11:34 AM
11 Light Brigade take control of Task Force Helmand
A Military Operations news article
11 Oct 09
A ceremony was held at Headquarters Task Force Helmand (TFH) in Lashkar Gah on Saturday 10 October 2009 to mark the Transfer of Authority in Helmand province between 19 Light Brigade and 11 Light Brigade.
Brigadier Tim Radford (left) hands over command to Brigadier James Cowan
19 Light Brigade lowered its flag at the TFH headquarters marking the end of a successful six-month tour.
The Commander of 19 Light Brigade, Brigadier Tim Radford, said:
"The efforts of every soldier in 19 Brigade this summer have helped to deliver security and governance in Helmand.
"I want them to be remembered for the courage, fortitude and resolve they have shown in the harshest operational environment. They have been tested to the extreme and they have delivered.
"We have suffered 70 fatalities plus many more personnel with life-changing injuries. Every loss cuts deeply and we will never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will continue to support those individuals and all the families."
11 Light Brigade has started its six-month tour determined to sustain operations.
Brigadier James Cowan, Commander of 11 Light Brigade, said:
"We have been preparing for this operation for two years and are looking forward to the challenge. 19 Brigade has done a magnificent job and we hope to emulate their success.
"The theme of our tour will be consolidation in the centre of Helmand and close co-operation with our Afghan allies."
The ceremony also coincided with the handover of the UK civilian head of the mission in Helmand. Hugh Powell, who is in charge of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, handed over to his successor Lindy Cameron.
Speaking at the ceremony, Brigadier Cowan stressed the importance of reconstruction:
"It is in all our interests that we succeed. Only the people of Afghanistan can provide the lasting solution. We will do everything we can to help achieve this goal.
"To this end, we will consolidate our close relationship with our friends in the US Marine Corps and our civilian counterparts in the Provincial Reconstruction Team in order to bring prosperity to the people of Helmand."
11 Light Brigade are deployed to Afghanistan from October 2009 to April 2010.
The brigade formally came into being on 5 November 2007 specifically to tackle the insurgency in Helmand and includes a counter-improvised explosive device task force. The brigade will disband upon its return to the UK.
11 Light Brigade is made up of the following major units:
* The Household Cavalry Regiment, based in Windsor
* 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, based in London
* 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, based in Chester
* 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), based in Weeton
* 3rd Battalion The Rifles, based in Edinburgh
* 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, based in Tidworth
* 28 Engineer Regiment, based in Hameln in Germany
* The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment
There are other units and elements deploying as part of the overall task force under the command of 11 Light Brigade; see Related News for
A Military Operations news article
11 Oct 09
A ceremony was held at Headquarters Task Force Helmand (TFH) in Lashkar Gah on Saturday 10 October 2009 to mark the Transfer of Authority in Helmand province between 19 Light Brigade and 11 Light Brigade.
Brigadier Tim Radford (left) hands over command to Brigadier James Cowan
19 Light Brigade lowered its flag at the TFH headquarters marking the end of a successful six-month tour.
The Commander of 19 Light Brigade, Brigadier Tim Radford, said:
"The efforts of every soldier in 19 Brigade this summer have helped to deliver security and governance in Helmand.
"I want them to be remembered for the courage, fortitude and resolve they have shown in the harshest operational environment. They have been tested to the extreme and they have delivered.
"We have suffered 70 fatalities plus many more personnel with life-changing injuries. Every loss cuts deeply and we will never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice. We will continue to support those individuals and all the families."
11 Light Brigade has started its six-month tour determined to sustain operations.
Brigadier James Cowan, Commander of 11 Light Brigade, said:
"We have been preparing for this operation for two years and are looking forward to the challenge. 19 Brigade has done a magnificent job and we hope to emulate their success.
"The theme of our tour will be consolidation in the centre of Helmand and close co-operation with our Afghan allies."
The ceremony also coincided with the handover of the UK civilian head of the mission in Helmand. Hugh Powell, who is in charge of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, handed over to his successor Lindy Cameron.
Speaking at the ceremony, Brigadier Cowan stressed the importance of reconstruction:
"It is in all our interests that we succeed. Only the people of Afghanistan can provide the lasting solution. We will do everything we can to help achieve this goal.
"To this end, we will consolidate our close relationship with our friends in the US Marine Corps and our civilian counterparts in the Provincial Reconstruction Team in order to bring prosperity to the people of Helmand."
11 Light Brigade are deployed to Afghanistan from October 2009 to April 2010.
The brigade formally came into being on 5 November 2007 specifically to tackle the insurgency in Helmand and includes a counter-improvised explosive device task force. The brigade will disband upon its return to the UK.
11 Light Brigade is made up of the following major units:
* The Household Cavalry Regiment, based in Windsor
* 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, based in London
* 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh, based in Chester
* 2nd Battalion The Yorkshire Regiment (Green Howards), based in Weeton
* 3rd Battalion The Rifles, based in Edinburgh
* 1st Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, based in Tidworth
* 28 Engineer Regiment, based in Hameln in Germany
* The Queen's Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment
There are other units and elements deploying as part of the overall task force under the command of 11 Light Brigade; see Related News for