Afghan National Army takes charge at Observation Post Mace

A noncommissioned officer with Troop C, 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalary Regiment, prepares to lower the American flag during a transfer of authority ceremony at Observation Post Mace, as U.S. and Afghan National Army Soldiers look on. The ANA assumed control of OP Mace from the U.S. Army on Dec. 20. OP Mace is the northernmost observation post in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province, which borders Pakistan. It is the first significant installation in the province for which ANA forces have assumed complete responsibility. ANA soldiers now safeguard the post and surrounding area, in accordance with the way ahead laid out in the Lisbon Plan to transfer security responsibility to Afghan forces. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Capt. Peter Shinn, Task Force Bastogne Public Affairs/RELEASED)