BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan --- On March 15, the colors of Task Force (TF) 50th Personnel Services Battalion (PSB) were uncased at a formal ceremony conducted at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan.

The Soldiers of the 50th PSB assumed the human resources and postal services mission from Task Force 510th PSB based in Mannheim, Germany.

“Today’s Transfer of Authority Ceremony is a significant event for the Soldiers,” remarked Lt. Col. Walter L. Alvarado, the Task Force commander. Alvarado’s task force is comprised mostly of Army National Guard and Army Reserve units. Alvarado reminded the audience, which comprised of senior leaders from the 10th Mountain Division, that “America’s wars cannot be won without the contributions of the Citizen-Soldiers of the Army National
Guard and the Army Reserve.”

Col. Larry Wyche, Commander, Joint Logistics Command, 10th Mountain Division stated that he had full confidence in the qualities and abilities of the Soldiers of the 50th PSB. “There is no doubt that this organization will make significant contributions to the fight…they are definitely an integral part of the 10th Mountain Division team.”

The 50th arrived in Afghanistan on March 27 after undergoing 45-days of mobilization training at Camp Atterbury, Ind. Since their arrival, 50th PSB Soldiers have been processing identification cards, promotion packets, passports, records updates, theater personnel accountability, casualty reporting and manifesting operations at the major Coalition Afghanistan Airfields. The Task Force has also processes an average of 30,000 pounds of inbound and outbound mail per day. Many Soldiers have had the opportunity to participate in the heart-stopping and eyeopening convoys. Master Sgt. Edgar Paulus, Battalion Operations Sergeant observed, “Once you go on one, you learn to appreciate not only your life but also the quality of life we enjoy at home.”

Pfc. Kesha Stocks, an administrative specialist, stated that “I feel very enthusiastic about being a part of Task Force 50th PSB and serving my country here at Bagram.”

Soldiers of Task Force 50th PSB are located at multiple Forward Operating Bases in Afghanistan. They are responsible for providing human resources services and postal support to more than 17,000 military and civilians in the Afghanistan Combined Joint Operations Area supporting Operation Enduring Freedom VII.