Red Knights assume authority

KHOST PROVINCE, Afghanistan – After a year of training and weeks of transit into Afghanistan, the Soldiers of 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, have assumed authority for U.S. military operations in the eastern portion of Khost province.

The Red Knight Rakkasans assumed authority of the area from the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division following a brief ceremony, Feb. 18.

“This is going to be a challenging mission,” said Maj. Robb Mitchell, 3-320 FAR executive officer. “But, we look to improve on what the units before us have already accomplished.”

During their time in the area, the 2-377 PFAR successfully provided security for the elections, worked together with the Afghan National Security Forces, and helped install the Afghan Border Patrol on the Afghanistan and Pakistan border.

“We conducted countless missions together that degraded Haqani’s ability to intimidate the proud people of Khost, the centre of gravity for the war,” said Col. Michael Howard, 4th BCT, 25th Inf. Div., commander. “And, with their Afghan partners in the lead, we tactically dominated every fight we entered and the enemy had no chance.”

 Consisting of nine companies, including those from various other 3rd BCT and subordinate units, the Red Knight’s will hold the largest battle space in Task Force Rakkasan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“It is an honor to be here in Afghanistan partnered with the best Afghan security forces in the country and at such a critical time in this nation’s history,” said Lt. Col. Richard Ullian, 3-320 FAR commander. “The impressive accomplishments of the many brave Afghan and Coalition Soldiers, police officers and civilian leaders assembled not only here today, but on patrol in the city ... are well known across Afghanistan.”

Ullian said that he has been told that in Afghanistan, a man’s word is his bond and that the Red Knight’s will work tirelessly to ensure the area continues to improve.