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Col. Ted Donnelly, the Regional Support Command – North commander gives his first speech to his new command during a change-of-command ceremony on July 4. |
CAMP MIKE SPANN, Afghanistan – Col. Ted Donnelly, assumed command of Regional Support Command – North from Col. Robbin Fontes, in a ceremony at Camp Spann
July 4.
After a one-year command, Fontes left RSC-North for a military fellowship program at Harvard University.
"The RSC-North team has been dedicated to the assisting of (the Afghan National Security Forces), assuming responsibility for and control of your training facilities, medical facilities, infrastructure, logistics system, contracting and many other areas,” said Fontes in her farewell speech. "There have been many challenges, many obstacles, but there has also been much progress over the past year; and that progress is due to (ANSF's) hard work.”
Donnelly joins the RSC-Team as a recent graduate of the Army War College. He began his career as an infantry officer before becoming a foreign area officer.
Col. Ted Donnely (right) accepts the Regional Support Command – North flag from Brig. Gen. Clark LeMasters, the NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan deputy support operation commander, during a change-of-command ceremony on July 4.
"To the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and civilians of RSC-North from all Coalition Nations, the Fourth of July is a particularly appropriate day for me to thank you for service and sacrifice, not just on behalf of our respective nations, but on behalf of the Afghan Nation,” said Donnelly in his speech. "I look forward to serving with all of you as we work to make the salty water sweet across northern Afghanistan.”
Donnelly has a master's degree in International Relations from Yale University and a bachelor's degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia.
He will be the commander of RSC-North for the next year.
NTM-A is a coalition of 38 troop-contributing nations charged with assisting the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in generating a capable and sustainable Afghan National Security Force ready to take lead of their country's security by 2014.
Story and photos by Staff Sgt. James Bolinger
RSC-North Public Affairs