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Authority transferred to 4th BCD

  • Published
  • By Major John Elolf
  • 9AF/USAFCENT
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment transferred authority to the 4th BCD from Shaw during a ceremony held at the Combined Air and Space Operations Center Oct. 15.

The 19th BCD returns to Germany after a 15-month tour.

"I have never ever experienced a more professional bunch . . . as I have at this location. Fifteen months is a long time. I want to say to (the members of the 19th BCD) a heartfelt thanks for your professionalism," said Col. David Byrn, 19th BCD commander.

During their rotation at the CAOC, the 19th BCD helped shape the application of the combined air force in support of counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Additionally, 19th BCD coordinated more than 65,000 joint tactical airstrike requests into the air tasking order and the deconfliction of more than 115,000 airspace control measures on behalf of ground forces. Also, they facilitated the execution, exploitation and dissemination of more than 650 airdrops to isolated units in Afghanistan and the employment of more than 6,800 kinetic strikes by Combined Forces Air Component Commander assets.

The 4th BCD is deployed for a 12-month tour in Southwest Asia as the U.S. Army Central BCD to U.S. Air Forces Central, which supports the entire U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

"The 4th BCD is honored to join the team and this is our family whether at Shaw or here, it doesn't matter. We recognize the challenges and we look forward to accepting those challenges and working with you in every way," said Col. Kevin Felix, 4th BCD commander. "To my folks, we are ready. The conditions are set. Our families are secure . . . and we are set in our preparations . . . Remember we are the gateway to joint fires."

A BCD serves as a liaison between the combined forces land component commander and the CFACC, in the integration and synchronization of airpower in direct support of Multinational Corps -Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force-101 and the International Security Assistance Forces, Afghanistan.