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Photo(s) by Staff Sgt. Bradley Rhen
Command Sgt. Maj. David Yates (left) and Lt. Col. Walter Piatt case the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment colors during a transfer of authority ceremony March 12 at Forward Operating Base Orgun-E, Afghanistan.
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By Staff Sgt. Bradley Rhen CTF Thunder Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE ORGUN-E, Afghanistan -- After a year in Afghanistan, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment officially transferred authority of one of the country's roughest provinces to 1st Bn. (Airborne), 508th Inf. Rgt. March 12.
As a warm spring sun shone down, the two units conducted a transfer of authority ceremony, with 2-27 casing its colors, and 1-508 subsequently uncasing its.
Speaking at the ceremony, Col. Gary H. Cheek, commander of Combined Task Force Thunder, said the Wolfhounds of 2-27 did a magnificent job during their year in Afghanistan.
Cheek said he didn't want to recite data about weapons caches collected, enemy killed, attacks repelled or enemy leaders captured, because to do so would characterize the fight here as a one-dimensional effort.
"To have that kind of thinking is a dangerous way to approach the mission here," he said.
"That one dimension will never be enough to beat this enemy here and give this country a chance to move forward."
Cheek said a lot of what the Wolfhounds did, and the Red Devils will do, sounds contrary to what one might expect from an infantry battalion.
"But, we expect a lot from our infantry battalions, and all of our units here, to do things out of the ordinary to make a big difference in the country," he said.
"Because in the end, it's not about statistics, it's about the effects you generate."
In welcoming the Red Devils to the team, Cheek asked them to remember that the key to this fight is not the enemy.
"The key to this fight really lies within the Afghan population," he said.
"When you go out and do an operation, your conduct and your actions are going to influence the population, and they're either going to like you, or they're going to not like you, or maybe even hate you. If you win their support, you win this war."
Lt. Col. Walter Piatt, commander of 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt., wondered what history will one day say about the Wolfhounds' year here.
After all, he said, no enemy formations have surrendered, no peace treaties have been signed and there have been no celebrations for the end of hostilities.
"Perhaps the lack of chaos is our only true measure of success," he said.
"But, maybe we have lit a spark and given hope to those who previously had none.
Piatt told the Red Devils that the people are the true victims in this war and therefore must remain their objective. Their ability to extend compassion will have great effects, he said.
"This war must be fought with your minds, not your triggers," Piatt said.
Lt. Col. Timothy McGuire, commander of 1st Bn., 508th Inf. Rgt., said the battalion has prepared for this mission for the last year, and will build on the Wolfhounds' legacy.
"We are truly humbled and honored to be replacing the Wolfhounds here in Paktika Province," McGuire said.
"Paktika Province is the most strategic province in Afghanistan. If the central government succeeds in Paktika, it will succeed throughout the country."
McGuire said the Wolfhounds have set the standard for fighting counter-insurgency by winning the populace, and pledged that as the Wolfhounds have set the standard for OEF-V, the Red Devils will set the standard for OEF-VI.
Located along the border with Pakistan, Paktika Province is about the size of Vermont and much of the province is rough, mountainous terrain. FOB Orgun-E, located near the town of Orgune, is about 7,500 feet above sea level.
After the ceremony, the few remaining Soldiers from 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. Rgt. boarded helicopters to begin their journey back to Hawaii.