By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Jason Carter, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 7 Public Affairs
KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (NNS) -- The 30th Naval Construction Regiment (NCR), Task Force Forager, transitioned to the 22nd NCR, Task Force Stethem, during a transfer of authority (TOA) ceremony, Feb. 16, 2012, on Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
The 30th NCR, from Port Hueneme, Calif., served as the command and control element for Task Force Forager, which was responsible for construction engineering and engineering support in Southern, Southwestern and Western Afghanistan.
The TOA's officiating officer, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. William E. Rapp, deputy commanding general for Support, commended the task force for its many successes during its six-month deployment.
"You need to be extremely proud of your accomplishments," Rapp said.
Task Force Forager and 30th NCR Chief Staff Officer, U.S. Navy Cmdr. Erik Karlson, said the task force did an amazing job supporting the mission in Afghanistan and the Afghan people, and thanked all of his subordinate commands for their hard work.
"It has been an absolute honor to have served with you," Karlson said.
Task Force Forager performed numerous engineering missions such as water wells, which provided clean water for Afghan villages, placed and repaired bridges and partnered with Afghan military engineers to aid in the smooth transition to Afghan leadership.
U.S. Navy Capt. Kathryn A. Donovan, Task Force Stethem and 22nd NCR Commodore, said her team was honored to take over such an important mission from such a classy command.
"We are very excited to work with the coalition and our service partners," Donovan said.
The 22nd NCR, from Gulfport, Miss., was previously deployed to Afghanistan from February to August 2010. The regiment is made up of approximately 90 U.S. Navy Seabees and support staff.
