Dragon medics take over medical task force in Afghanistan

By Capt. Stephanie Vanneman
TF 44 Med PAO

March 31, 2011

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan — The 44th Medical Brigade ‘Dragon Medics’ assumed the lead of the United States Forces Afghanistan medical task force from Task Force 62 Med in a transfer of authority ceremony conducted at Bagram Airfield on March 21. 

Maj. Gen. Timothy P. McHale, deputy commander, Support, USFOR-A, the guest speaker for the ceremony, praised members of Task Force 62 Med for their many accomplishments over the course of their deployment and charged Task Force 44 with continuing to provide world-class health support to members of the U.S. and coalition partners in Afghanistan.

During the ceremony, Col. John Collins and Command Sgt. Maj. Eugene Jeffers cased their unit’s colors signifying the transfer of authority to the Dragon Medics and the end of a 12-month deployment. The 62nd Medical Brigade will redeploy to Fort Lewis, Wash.

Task Force 44 Med, led by Col. Don West and Command Sgt. Maj. Iteago Felton, deployed from Fort Bragg several weeks ago to assume the task force mission of providing command and control of USFOR-A regional health service support throughout the combined joint area of operations.

“I stand here before you today, excited and ready and I am fully confident that all of the Task Force 44 Med Soldiers will continue to provide world class health care to forces of all nations as we stand side by side in the pursuit of freedom,” said West during the ceremony.

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