TF Red Dragon ends mission in Horn of Africa
Virginia and Kentucky National Guard Soldiers assigned to the Lynchburg-based 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, known as Task Force Red Dragon, conducted a transfer of authority ceremony Sept. 19, 2022, to officially end their security mission for Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa. Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment, known as Task Force Wolfhound, assumed responsibility for the mission.
Approximately 1,000 Soldiers from across Virginia and Kentucky began serving on federal active duty Nov. 27, 2021. With their mission complete, they will return to Virginia and Kentucky in the coming weeks.
Col. Jim Tierney and Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Wolfe, the TFRD command team, cased the battalion’s colors, signifying the end of its nine-month deployment.
“Our accomplishments here are a direct result of the leadership of the junior officers, NCOs, and Soldiers of the task force,” Tierney said. “Their sense of duty, selfless service, and dedication to mission success is inspiring.”