ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam –
"Permission to assume the Defense of Guam Mission," echoed through the Coral Reef Fitness Center on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam as Capt. Joshua Geis, commander, Company D, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Stryker Brigade, 25th Inf. Division accepted his new duty as commander of the security force for Task Force Talon, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. Delta Company, known as the "Dogs of War" was taking part in a transition of authority ceremony where they officially uncased their colors and assumed responsibility of the security force mission for Task Force Talon.
Task Force Talon is the U.S. Army unit tasked with defending the skies over Guam from ballistic missile attack with the first forward deployed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system. The THAAD battery does not have assigned personnel to conduct site security so it requires a security force augmentation to defend the THAAD site known as Site Armadillo in Northwestern Guam. The SECFOR is responsible for perimeter security, entry control point operations, manning guard towers, site surveillance activities, roving patrols, and providing a quick reaction force.
"The Dogs of War are poised for the defense of Guam mission. We are also excited to partner with sister services and other agencies to conduct training while deployed to Guam. We come from a battalion, the Wolfhounds, who have a great legacy with working with communities. We plan to continue that legacy while here, conducting community outreach with local schools to bring our Ohana spirit to the Island of Guam," said Geis.
Delta Co. took over the security force mission from Company C, 1st Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, also known as "Charlie Rock." Charlie Company has been deployed to Guam for the past four and a half months.
"Charlie Co. is returning to Schofield Barracks with increased tactical skills, fitness, and resilience. I am proud of our Soldiers and their hard work throughout this deployment. I'm especially proud of the relationships we built with the Task Force Talon team," said Capt. Daniel Lessard, commander, Charlie Company.
Besides providing site security, the SECFOR is still required to remain proficient in their infantry skills. During their deployment, Charlie Co. conducted regular live fires, squad movement-to-contact lanes, jungle warfare training, and combatives certifications. Their training paid off as they demonstrated movement-to-contact and squad attack training lanes on Andersen AFB's live fire range for the 3rd Bn., 196th Inf. Training Support Battalion and the 36th Wing Safety Office. The successful demonstration has allowed Guam Army National Guard and Army Reserve units to now use the range for similar live fire training.
"The deployment has been a wonderful experience for our Soldiers deployed to Guam. Not only were we able to learn about ballistic missile defense and provide security for a strategic asset, but we had the opportunity to methodically train our Soldiers on individual and team level tasks," said Lessard.
Charlie Company also distinguished themselves off duty by being highly involved in the local community during their deployment. Twenty Charlie Company Soldiers volunteered to repaint buildings and parking lines at the Juan M. Guerrero Elementary School in Dededo, Guam, in August. The Soldiers of Charlie Rock also marched with Task Force Talon in the 71st Guam Liberation Day Parade for the first time.
"For the short time that Charlie Co. was deployed to Guam, they definitely made a big impact. From improving site security, to executing excellent training and being involved in the local community, Charlie Co. set high standards in everything that they did. Now that Delta Co. has taken over the security force mission, I look forward to seeing them build upon Charlie Company's success," said Lt. Col. Jefferey Slown, commander, Task Force Talon, 94th AAMDC.
The deployment of 1-14 Infantry Battalion Soldiers to Guam was historic; they were the largest infantry unit to deploy to the island since Operation New Life at the end of the Vietnam War. The Soldiers from 2-27 Infantry Battalion are ready to begin a new chapter in the history of the security force mission for Task Force Talon.