Press Release
☷Pennsylvania Guard Takes Over Horn of Africa Security Mission
National Guard ( By Press Release office)
Feb 23,2024
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In a laid - back ceremony at Camp Lemonnier , Djibouti , the Pennsylvania National Guard ' s Task Force Paxton took over the security mission in East Africa from Task Force Tomahawk on Feb . 10 . Task Force Paxton is made up mainly of Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion , 112th Infantry Regiment , 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team , along with Soldiers from eight other companies from Pennsylvania . Their main job now is to provide security support at installations throughout the Horn of Africa . Task Force Paxton is the largest tactical unit of the Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa , playing a crucial role in security and partnership - building in East Africa for U . S . Africa Command . U . S . Army Lt . Col . Erik Ponzek , commander of 2 - 112th Infantry , expressed excitement to work with the team and meet the challenges ahead . At the ceremony , Ponzek and Command Sgt . Maj . Jason Barclay unfurled their unit ' s colors , symbolizing Task Force Paxton taking over the security mission . Task Force Tomahawk , made up of around 1 , 000 Soldiers from Oklahoma , Nebraska , and Indiana National Guard , had been deployed in the Horn of Africa for nine months , handling security and crisis response operations . Maj . Gen . Jami Shawley , CJTF - HOA commanding general , thanked Task Force Tomahawk for their professionalism and sacrifices during their time at Camp Lemonnier . Task Force Tomahawk operated security posts and provided security for naval vessels , as well as conducting exercises in East African nations . Lt . Col . Brent Weece , commander of Task Force Tomahawk , expressed gratitude for his Soldiers ' hard work and success throughout their deployment . The 2 - 112th Infantry , or "Paxton" as they like to be called , got their name from a Native American word that means "Where the waters stand . " It ' s actually a reference to a spot in Dauphin County , Pennsylvania . The unit has some pretty cool history too . They can trace their roots back to the Logan Guards of Lewistown and the Bellefonte Fencibles , both of which were formed in 1858 and fought bravely for the Union Army in the Civil War .
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