MAGTF in Afghanistan gets new command

[unhappycamper]

MAGTF in Afghanistan gets new command
Staff report
Posted : Friday Nov 14, 2008 11:47:03 EST

The commander of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit handed over control of a Marine task force deployed to southern Afghanistan to train police and provide security against insurgents, a Marine spokesman said.

Col. Duffy White, commander of Hawaii-based 3rd Marines, took over for Col. Peter Petronzio, 24th MEU commander, in a ceremony at Kandahar Air Field, Marine officials said.

White will lead Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force — Afghanistan, a 2,000-strong unit made up of elements from North Carolina, California and Hawaii. It is expected to be based at Camp Bastion, a British military base in volatile Helmand province.

Other elements of the 24th MEU have returned to the U.S. over the last few weeks, as they were replaced by Marines from the special purpose MAGTF. The 24th MEU and another Marine unit in Afghanistan — Twentynine Palms, Calif.-based 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines — realigned to form a special purpose MAGTF of their own this summer to mirror the organization of the Marines taking over.

Elements taking over in Afghanistan include headquarters elements of 3rd Marines; Camp Lejeune, N.C.-based 3rd Battalion 8th Marines; Hawaii-based Combat Logistics Battalion 3; and Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 466, which is based at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. The unit will handle five districts in Helmand and Farah provinces.


Rest of article at: http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2008/11/marine_magtfcommand_111408w/%2e