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New PRT takes command in Paktya

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Lauren Johnson
  • Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs
PAKTIA PROVINCE, Afghanistan --  The Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team welcomed a new commander during a transfer of authority ceremony at Forward Operating Base Gardez, Afghanistan, July 15.

U.S. Army Col. Michael Howard, commander, Task Force Yukon, oversaw the ceremony, in which U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Carlos Halcomb assumed command from U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Daniel Moy, in front of Paktya government officials, village elders and religious leaders.

The Paktya Deputy Gov. Abdal Rahma Mangal, thanked the outgoing PRT for their work in security and development, and welcomed Halcomb and his team.

"We will be working together with you, all the people of Paktya," said Mangal. "We are ready to work with you shoulder to shoulder."

There are 26 PRTs operating in Afghanistan, all with the goals of strengthening governance and development and building a local capacity through mentoring Afghan leaders and professionals.

"You must have friends in order to make this work, and I consider you all now my friends," Halcomb said. "I'm very happy to be here, and my team is so excited to start working because there is so much work to be done."

The Paktya team, which stood up in 2002 and came under U.S. command in 2005, is the oldest PRT operating in the country.

During Moy's command, the PRT facilitated more than 100 projects worth more than $50,000,000, supporting the areas of transportation, education, electricity, law and governance, health, agriculture, water and sanitation. Additionally, the team participated in several women's capacity events, humanitarian efforts, and government outreach missions.

"All Afghan people know that you left your comfortable life and came here to provide peace and security to all Afghan people," the National Directorate of Security chief, Ali Ahmad Mubaraz, told Moy in a meeting following the ceremony. "We will never forget that."