PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan (May 13, 2011) — U.S. Navy Military Police Battalion-Afghanistan, Task Group Trident, changed hands during a change of command and crew swap ceremony Saturday, May 7, on board a mock ship outside the battalion headquarters here.
U.S. Navy Reserve Cmdr. Cordell Honrado relieved U.S. Navy Reserve Cmdr. John J. McGinn as commander of the group, which supports U.S. detention operations in Afghanistan.
“I’m happy and proud to be here on this ship because of what it represents,” said Honrado from the deck of what he dubbed a B-hut-class vessel unlike any other in the Navy registry which was built by Sailors proud to represent the Navy in Afghanistan. “I believe it is symbolic of our Navy’s commitment to defend our nation and stand alongside our sister services; the Army, Air Force and Marine Corps to join the fight wherever that fight may be.”
Honrado assumes command of more than 300 active-duty and Reserve Sailors assigned to Task Group Trident. With their U.S. Army and Afghan National Army military police counterparts, Trident Sailors compose the guard force at the Detention Facility in Parwan (DFIP), a state of the art theater internment facility for enemy combatants captured from the battlefield.
The guard force members’ primary mission is to provide care, custody and control, with dignity and respect for detainees at the DFIP. The DFIP is commanded by U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Charles Petrarca, 43rd Military Police Brigade, Task Force Protector, who has oversight of the facility and its conditions-based transition to the Afghan government.
Task Group Trident Sailors also serve as instructors at the Detention Operations Transition Course, preparing Afghan National Army military police Soldiers for duty in the DFIP.
“I look forward to working together as we face the challenges ahead,” said Honrado. “This is an environment where our tactical decisions can have strategic consequences. To be successful, we must maintain our vigilance.”
Honrado graduated from Virginia Tech and received his commission from Officer Candidate School in 1991 and joined the Navy Reserve is 2000. His mobilizations include deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Honrado and 140 Trident group 6A Sailors completed 10 weeks of combat and detention facility operations training at Fort Bliss, Texas, to prepare for their mission in Afghanistan. They relieve Sailors from Trident group 5A who have been deployed nearly 12 months and join Sailors from Trident group 5B already serving at the DFIP.
“You have really made meaningful and measurable contributions to this critical mission,” said McGinn. “It has been a privilege to lead such accomplished and dedicated Sailors in this important strategic mission.”
McGinn will report to Navy Mobilization Processing Station, Norfolk for further assignment.
Task Group Trident and Task Force Protector support Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435, commanded by U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Robert S. Harward. CJIATF-435, in partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and U.S. interagency and international partners, conducts detention, corrections, judicial sector and biometrics operations. Ultimately, CJIATF-435 will transition detention operations to Afghan control while promoting rule of law best practices.