BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (August 17, 2008) — The Afghanistan National Security Forces assumed control of the Bak District Center during a transfer-of-authority ceremony Saturday.

After five months of mentoring from a Task Force Currahee Military Police platoon, the Afghanistan National Army soldiers have shown they are ready to assume full responsibility of the area, said Capt. Jim Raines, company commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment.

“The ANA are very well equipped to conduct counter-insurgency operations,” said Lt. Col. David Ell, commander of 4th Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment. “The fact is, the ANA are Afghans, they speak the language and understand the culture. They are able to do a great job of counter-insurgency because the people truly identify with them.”

The district center is now in the well trained hands of the ANA. Afghan National Police also assist with security.

“Our MP platoon has done an absolutely fabulous job mentoring the ANA and ANP and their hard effort has paid off by making this transition possible,” Ell said.

Handing over the security responsibility of Bak to the ANSF shows continued progress in the fight against terrorism throughout their area of operation.

Not only does the turnover show the capabilities of the Afghan people to self-govern and maintain order by their own forces, it frees up valuable manpower than can be devoted to less stable areas.

“Our whole goal is to transfer as many District Centers to ANSF control as possible so we can begin to concentrate on different areas that we need to focus our combat power at,” said Ell.

Task Force Currahee put five months worth of hard work into making this transition happen and their hard work has paid off.

The ANSF taking the lead and standing up on their own in the Bak District sets an example for all of Khost province and Afghanistan.