Kandahar PRT: Change of command

The CF news release:

KANDAHAR CITY — In a ceremony held at Camp Nathan Smith on Saturday, February 9, 2008, Lieutenant-Colonel Dana Woodworth accepted the command of the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team (KPRT) from Lieutenant-Colonel Bob Chamberlain. The handover was conducted in the presence of Lieutenant-General Michel Gauthier, commander of Canadian Expeditionary Force Command (CEFCOM), and Brigadier-General Guy Laroche, commander of Joint Task Force (Afghanistan). Lieut.-Col. Woodward will lead the KPRT for a year.

While in command of the KPRT, Lieut.-Col. Chamberlain handled the rapid expansion of new governance structures after Operation MEDUSA and the launch of more than 1,000 new projects in line with the Afghan-led “Kandahar model” of reconstruction and development, which is now highly regarded. He guided a strong “whole of government” team during a critical period in the mission, increasing consultation and collaboration with local government departments and international organizations [emphasis added].

“I am tremendously proud of what has been accomplished in the mission as a whole, and in particular this experienced team of outstanding Canadians that I was honoured to lead over the last year. Efforts ‘outside the wire’ have really accelerated,” said Lieut.-Col. Chamberlain.

As well as infantry soldiers, engineers and civil-military co-operation experts, the KPRT comprises civilians from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canadian International Development Agency, Correctional Service of Canada, several Canadian police agencies, and the United States Agency for International Development. Their collaboration has helped shape and facilitate major projects to help Afghans in Kandahar Province see a viable alternative to the insurgency. “Every day I see people in the villages and districts who have had enough of fighting and are keen to embrace their future,” said LCol Chamberlain.

Lieut.-Col. Dana Woodworth, the new commanding officer, praised the KPRT’s accomplishments during Lieut.-Col. Chamberlain’s tenure in command. Referring to the challenge of leading such a diverse team of diplomats, development workers and security experts, he pledged that the KPRT would continue assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in its effort to extend its authority through the 17 districts of Kandahar Province. “The unit will stay focussed on supporting the Provincial Governor and District Leaders as they establish governance and enable the implementation of development," said Lieut.-Col. Woodworth [emphasis added].

At the change of command parade, Lieut.-Gen. Gauthier also acknowledged Lieut.-Col. Chamberlain’s achievements and told the soldiers who served under him to be proud of what they have accomplished.