12th Mech Brigade takes command of ops 10.04.12
412th Mechanised Brigade has formally taken command of British Operations in Southern Afghanistan.
The handover from 20th Armoured Brigade has been marked with a ceremony at Britain's headquarters in Helmand, Lashkar Gah.
The outgoing commander of Task Force Helmand, Brigadier Patrick Sanders told troops the nature of operations, and momentum of transition on Herrick 15 had been breathtaking.
He said: "It's been an astonishing tour for those of us on Herrick 15, It's certainly exceeded all of my expectations. It's certainly been the most fulfilling and the most encouraging tour that I've done during my career"
Once the iron fist flag of 20th Armoured Brigade was lowered, Brigadier Doug Chalmers assumed command of Task Force Helmand, and the Flag of 12th Mech brigade was raised.
Brigadier Chalmers paid tribute to solid foundations being left by Herrick 15, and said he wants to build on those foundations over the next six months.
He said: "Depending on the area you're in, which district and which subdistrict, the level of threat or the level of Afghan capacity to continue to build security is at variance. My aim is to move some of those harder areas further on and to transfer the lead onto an Afghan security organisation"
Tribute was also paid today to the 23 soldiers who have lost their lives on Herrick 15, and the 123 injured.