Task Group TRIDENT Deactivated

SEMBACH, Germany (NNS) -- Task Group Trident (TGT) recently deactivated its command at Camp Sabalu-Harrison, Afghanistan in a ceremony held April 4.

The last group of Sailors assigned to the group relinquished control of the command's activities to an Army group, the 333d MP Brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Churn.

Operation Enduring Freedom usually brings to mind thoughts of fire-fights and civil affairs activities, but on a quieter side TGT provided the safeguarding and detention of suspected enemy combatants.

From 2008 through 2013 nearly 2,100 Sailors filled Individual Augmentee (IA) positions in support of the detention facility's operations. The job required long hours in difficult conditions completing tasks Sailors traditionally are not assigned.

"You may not think you are making a difference but when you take a step back and look at the bigger picture, you can see the critical role every single person plays," said Interior Communications Electrician 2nd Class Rachel Clayton of her experience with TGT.
Each TGT Sailor has their own story based on their experiences while deployed. When they attended the Warrior Transition Program (WTP) in Sembach, Germany as part of the redeployment process before returning to the United States, many TGT Sailors reflected on the positive aspects of their time in Afghanistan, particularly the joint-service environment.

"The most enjoyable part for me was accomplishing the mission working side by side with all branches of our military and our Afghan partners," said Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Cindy Vea, who worked with TGT.

Returning IA Sailor, Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Donald L. Wengerd noted, "I am proud to have worked alongside the U.S. (forces) and Afghan National Army (ANA). I learned quite a lot from the ANA soldiers working with our unit; peace for Afghanistan and for the U.S. was a common topic. Our countries both yearn for the completion of our mission and peace being brought to Afghanistan."

The IA Sailors, now stateside, take with them pride in a mission accomplished and experiences that have changed their lives and will benefit the U.S. Navy and the United States as a whole.

For more news from Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/ecrc/.