Task Force Bronco assumes battle space from Task Force Bastogne

Written by U.S. Staff Sgt. Amber Robinson
Task Force Bronco Public Affairs

Nangarhar Province, Afghanistan – U.S. Soldiers, Afghan National Security Force soldiers and local Afghan dignitaries gathered to witness the transfer of authority ceremony, in which Task Force Bastogne, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, relinquished their battle space to Task Force Bronco, 3rd BCT, 25th Infantry Division, at Forward Operating Base Fenty, Afghanistan, May 3rd.

Task Force Bastogne, out of Fort Campbell, KY, controlled the Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman and Nuristan Provinces of Regional Command-East for the last year. Task Force Bronco, out of Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, will assume responsibility of the area for the next year, minus Laghman Province.

U.S. Army Col. Richard C. Kim, commander of TF Bronco, from Honolulu, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew J. Spano, command sergeant major of TF Bronco, from Northboro, MA, unfurled their brigade colors over their new area of operations as U.S. Army Col. Andrew P. Poppas, commander of TF Bastogne, from Janesville, WI, and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin R. Benson, TF Bastogne command sergeant major, cased theirs for their redeployment to Fort Campbell, KY.

Kim thanked TF Bastogne for paving the way for TF Bronco’s 12-month deployment.

“I want to start by thanking TF Bastogne for their magnificent work over this past year,” said Kim. “As a result of their sacrifices and hard fighting, alongside their Afghan Army, Uniformed and Border Police partners, the people of Nangarhar, Kunar and Nuristan have new hope and renewed faith in their government. “

Kim, who served in Afghanistan in the past, expressed optimism in working toward a better Afghanistan in the next year.

“After meeting with Afghan governmental and military leaders, I am excited about what we can accomplish together, over this next year,” said Kim. “We have established an outstanding joint and combined team. However, true success is only possible when achieved in conjunction with our Afghan partners.”

Spano, who is also a veteran from former deployments in Operation Enduring Freedom, expressed his resolve for not only the people of Afghanistan but for the Soldiers of TF Bronco.

“As the Bronco Brigade Soldiers take responsibility of the area of eastern Afghanistan, I want the people of this area to see that the American Soldier is kind but firm, and our resolve is solid,” said Spano. “These young men and women will walk away from this deployment, convinced they are doing the right thing. These Soldiers are ready to do what is necessary, and I am proud of them.”