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CJTF-HOA changes the guard, welcomes Task Force Bayonet

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment conduct rehearsals before a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 1, 2017. During the ceremony, the Soldiers officially took over the security force mission for the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa’s area of responsibility from the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore 

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CJTF-HOA changes the guard, welcomes Task Force Bayonet

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment render salutes during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 1, 2017. During the ceremony, the 1-153rd transferred mission authority to the 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment. During their rotation as Task Force Warrior, the 1-153rd IN Soldiers provided security force assistance and force protection for U.S. interests and partner nations at Camp Lemonnier and in the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa’s area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore 

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CJTF-HOA changes the guard, welcomes Task Force Bayonet

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ross Walker, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment battalion commander, delivers his remarks during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 1, 2017. During the ceremony, the 3-144th IN assumed responsibility of the security force mission previously being conducted by the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment. The 3-144th IN will be responsible for security force assistance and force protection for U.S. interests and partner nations in the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa’s area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore 

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CJTF-HOA changes the guard, welcomes Task Force Bayonet

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment render salutes during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 1, 2017. During the ceremony, the 1-153rd transferred mission authority to the 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment. During their rotation as Task Force Warrior, the 1-153rd IN Soldiers provided security force assistance and force protection for U.S. interests and partner nations at Camp Lemonnier and in the Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa’s area of responsibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore)

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Photo by: Staff Sgt. Timothy Moore 

CAMP LEMONNIER, Djibouti - U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment (3-144th IN) participated in the passing of the colors with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Battalion (1-153rd IN) during a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Nov. 1, 2017.

Deployed out of the Texas Army National Guard, the 3-144th IN will be responsible for rapidly deploying in response to any crisis threatening U.S. personnel or property throughout the CJTF-HOA area of responsibility, which consists of an area nearly half the size of the continental United States.

The transfer of authority ceremony is a longstanding Army tradition that signifies when a new unit takes over full responsibility for a mission.

During the ceremony, U.S. Army Lt. Col. Matthew Bialy, battalion commander of the 1-153rd IN and the rest of the Task Force Warrior battalion welcomed U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ross Walker, 3-144th IN battalion commander and the Task Force Bayonet battalion Soldiers as they handed over authority of the security force mission.

Walker accepted the authority on behalf of the Task Force Bayonet Soldiers as they thanked and bid farewell to their predecessors.

“The Bayonet battalion sincerely thanks the task force for the world-class preparation and professionalism you have provided to our leaders and Soldiers,” Walker said. “Warrior Soldiers should return home to their families proud of their contributions and know the sacrifices of your Soldiers are well known to us. We pledge to continue to build on the great foundation you have established. The mission has been passed, and we will carry your efforts forward.”

During their rotation here, the 3-144th IN will also contribute to international efforts to enhance security and stability in East Africa by providing security force assistance and fostering the capabilities of partner nations.

“We are honored to serve with our partners within CJTF-HOA and Camp Lemonnier,” Walker concluded. “Our Soldiers understand our security partnership is critical, as every Bayonet Soldier firmly believes, ‘This is the time, this is the place, and we are the team.’ Fourth Texas, Equal to the Task.”