LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan, Oct. 13 (UPI) -- The 11 Light Brigade assumed responsibility over Task Force Helmand in order to sustain British operations in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defense said.

The 19 Light Brigade handed responsibility of the headquarters over to the 11 Light Brigade during a weekend ceremony in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand.

"The efforts of every soldier in 19 Light Brigade this summer have helped to deliver security and governance in Helmand," said Brig. Tim Radford, commander of 19 Light Brigade.

Radford said his unit lost 70 servicemen during their tour.

The transfer ceremony coincided with the handover of responsibility for the civilian mission in Helmand from Hugh Powell, who led the provincial reconstruction team, to Lindy Cameron.

The 11 Light Brigade was formed in November 2007 as a counterinsurgency and counter-improvised explosive device task force. The unit is deployed through April 2010 and disbands at the end of its tour.

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