110517-01 Schwartz takes command of CJSOTF-A

- Col. Don Bolduc (left), Brig. Gen. Austin Miller (middle) and Col. Mark Schwartz (right) salute the colors during the playing of the National Anthem at the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan Change of Command Ceremony, May 15. (Photo by: Sgt 1st Class Marcus Quarterman, CJSOTF-A)

RELEASE NUMBER: 110517-01
DATE POSTED: MAY 17, 2011

Schwartz takes command of CJSOTF-A

By Sgt. Lizette Hart

Col. Don Bolduc thanks the staff one last time before handing command off to incoming Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan Commander, Col. Mark Schwartz, May 15. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Jeff Collet, Special Operations Task Force- West)

During his command, Col. Don Bolduc, Commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan shared a close relationship with Gen. David Petraeus, Commander, International Security Forces-Afghanistan. In this photo, Bolduc presents a knife to Gen. Petraeus during his battlefield circulation, Konar Province May 8. (Photo courtesy of International Security Forces -Afghanistan)

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BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (USASOC News Service, May 17, 2011) – Col. Donald C. Buldoc, commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan, transferred command to Col. Mark C. Schwartz, commander 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) during a change of command ceremony held on Camp Vance, May 15.

Bolduc, a native of Laconia, N.H., enlisted in the US Army in 1981. Upon graduation from Salem State College in 1988, he received his commission to Second Lieutenant. His history of combat deployments includes tours in Grenada, Persian Gulf and multiple rotations in Afghanistan. He took command of CJSOTF-A in April 2010. Bolduc is scheduled to move to Washington, D.C., to work as the Assistant Deputy Director of Special Operations Joint Staff at the Pentagon.

Shortly before relinquishing command to the incoming commander, Bolduc wrote a letter to the members of CJSOTF-A to thank them for their efforts and accomplishments.

“You have achieved a tremendous amount of progress through your hard work and support to the counterinsurgency operations in Afghanistan,” he wrote. “The long hours you have spent away from your families, training and conducting combat operations, have set the ground work for achievable success in Afghanistan. I cannot thank you enough.”

Schwartz graduated from Idaho State University in 1987, where he received his commission to second lieutenant. His history of combat deployments includes tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Qatar. In July 2010, he took command of the 3rd Special Force Group (A), Fort Bragg, N.C. Schwartz arrived in Afghanistan in early May to prepare himself for the task he was to take on.

After taking command of CJSOTF-A, Schwartz addressed the audience and his new troops to speak about the pride he feels with being given the opportunity to lead the task force.

“It is sincerely an honor to be given the trust and responsibility to command Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Afghanistan,” he said. “”It is certainly the most relevant and decisive task force across the entire country. It is quite an honor.”

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