right royal visit p2 7 bde's grand send - Department of Defence

12 WORLD NEWS Army February 4, 2010
Change in
leadership
ADF personnel in the MEAO
have a new commander.
After 12 months at the
helm, Maj-Gen Mark Kelly
formally handed the reins over
to Maj-Gen John Cantwell in
December 2009.
Defence personnel paraded
and a ceremony was held
at Australia’s main support
base in the MEAO to mark the
change of command at the head
of JTF 633.
CDF ACM Angus Houston
said the direction and professionalism
exhibited by Maj-
Gen Kelly during his tenure
was in keeping with the finest
traditions of the ADF.
“I would like to thank Maj-
Gen Kelly for his leadership
and dedication and acknowledge
the outstanding results
achieved by the task force
under his command,” ACM
Houston said.
“To Maj-Gen Cantwell,
I offer my best wishes as he
assumes command and takes on
this most demanding of operational
appointments.”
In his farewell speech, Maj-
Gen Kelly said the young men
and women on parade and
New CO for MRTF 2
AFTER six months in the
job, MRTF 2 CO Lt-Col Peter
Connolly officially handed over
command of the battle group
to Lt-Col Andrew Hocking on
December 12.
Lt-Col Connolly awarded service
medals to his soldiers before a
transition of authority parade was
held at Camp Holland to recognise
those across the JTF, including
Australian Public Servants and
contractors, had been a constant
source of inspiration for him
throughout his 12 months as
their commander.
“This is a unique privilege;
to command young men
and women of the ADF, our
soldiers, sailors, airmen and
women, while serving on operations
and I thank you all for
your wonderful contribution
to making this year a positive
and memorable experience.
It’s been my honour to serve
you during that time,” Maj-Gen
Kelly said.
During the ceremony, the
Commander’s Pennant, the
symbol of authority representing
his responsibilities to the
organisations within JTF 633,
was lowered and presented to
Maj-Gen Kelly.
The two major-generals then
signed a certificate to mark the
transfer of authority.
“It’s a significant day today,
a change of command, and it’s
appropriate that we make the
time to recognise the transition
of authority between one
commander and the next. On
the change of command. Former
Commander of JTF 633 Maj-Gen
Mark Kelly also awarded a Bronze
Commendation to Four Section, 1
Platoon, Combat Team Alpha, for
outstanding professionalism and
commitment to duty.
The soldiers continued site
exploitation and battlefield clearance
for a further eight hours after
that note I welcome my good
friend, Maj-Gen John Cantwell,
to the MEAO and congratulate
him on his selection,” Maj-Gen
Kelly said.
Maj-Gen Cantwell said there
were very few opportunities
to serve which provided such
challenges and rewards than to
lead on operations.
“There can be no doubt that
this period of service will be
the pinnacle of my 36 years of
service and I embrace it with
great excitement, pride and
some foreboding,” Maj-Gen
Cantwell said.
“Indeed, the role for the
commander in such an appointment
is about leadership and
it’s about service and I very sincerely
embrace my responsibility
to serve the men and women
of JTF 633 for the year ahead.”
Maj-Gen Cantwell also said
that like all members of JTF
633, he was proud to play a part
in furthering Australia’s interests
in the region, including the
Government’s commitment to
bring security and stability to
the people of Afghanistan.
Reflection: Maj-Gen Mark Kelly and the new commander Maj-Gen John Cantwell (inset). Photos by Sgt Mick Davis
Rewarding: Outgoing CO Lt-Col Peter Connolly awards service medals to soldiers before the transition
of authority parade to recognise the change of command to Lt-Col Andrew Hocking at Camp Holland.
Photo by Rachel Ingram
member and mate, Pte Benjamin
Ranaudo, was killed and Pte Paul
Warren was seriously wounded
during an operation in the Baluchi
Valley.
One of Lt-Col Connolly’s final
duties was to unveil the Australian
memorial dedicated to Australians
who have been killed while on operations
in Afghanistan.