KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (10 April) – On April 6, 760 newly graduated Afghan National Army (ANA) forces personnel were flown from Kandahar Airfield to Helmand Province to augment the 205th Corps presence in Northern Helmand and provide a Government of Afghanistan enduring security presence.

On Thursday, April 5, ISAF and ANA forces secured the Sangin District Centre after a multinational force of more than 1,000 troops began a systematic assault on the centre setting the stage for the permanent presence of the ANA.

“These new troops sent to Helmand by the Government of Afghanistan will have a significant impact on our collective ability to increase and maintain security in the region. This is another tangible example of the growing capability of the ANA,” stated Major General Ton van Loon, Commander Regional Command – South.

“Operation Achilles is achieving its intended goal of eroding the enemy’s ability to impede progress in the area. The arrival of these new forces is another positive step towards stability,” added van Loon.

Major General Rahmatullah Raufi, Commander, 205th Corps, added, “These new soldiers all possess good morale after passing their combat tactical training. The more than 700 replacements will be important new assets to our corps. The new soldiers and the equipment they bring with them will help to bring peace and stability in the Southern zone of the country.”

ISAF assisted with the transport the 475 ANA soldiers to Northern Helmand by providing air transport using British and Dutch C-130 aircrafts. Flights commenced at 9:30 a.m. and the last flight arrived in Helmand shortly after 10 p.m.

Transfer of Authority Ceremony at PRT Farah

FARAH, Afghanistan (10 April) - A Transfer of Authority (TOA) Ceremony took place at ISAF’s Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Farah April 7. The Farah Guidon (colours flag) passed from outgoing PRT Commander, Michael Horan, to incoming Commander Frank Hughlett, both from United States Navy.

COMISAF, General Dan McNeill, and Regional Command - West Commander, Brigadier General Antonio Satta, flew in for the occasion. Local dignitaries who attended the event included Governor Mullah Mohideen Baluch, ANA Chief of Staff General Bismullah Khan, and General Saqib Aga, Chief of Police for Farah Province.

Commander Hughlett is a native of Sterling Virginia and a graduate of Virginia Tech where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. Previous assignments include duty aboard the USS CHOSIN (CG 65) home ported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Weapons Officer and Combat Systems Officer aboard the USS RAMAGE (DDG 61); and Director of Training at the Center for Surface Combat Systems in Dahlgren, Virginia. While in command of Beachmaster Unit TWO in September 2004, he led the Joint Force Maritime Component Commander’s Naval Support Element in Biloxi, Mississippi in support of CJTF Katrina.

“I am honored and humbled to be here today in the presence of so many who have dedicated their lives and in certain cases risked their lives to advance the quality of life for the Afghan people here in Farah,” said Commander Hughlett during the TOA Ceremony.

During his visit the COMISAF, General McNeill, seized the chance to talk to soldiers and local nationals, and discussed security issues with Governor Baluch.