Two events Jan. 25 marked an end to a chapter in the history of the 513th Military Intelligence Battalion's Task Force Lightning.
At 10 a.m., officials cased the colors of the task force, which had returned in December from a yearlong intelligence-gathering mission in Afghanistan.
"We have so much to be proud of. The Lightning team was a great success," said Lt. Col. John Birdsong, the commander of the task force.
Task Force Lightning had soldiers from the 201st Military Intelligence Battalion and the Indiana Army National Guard, in addition to Navy and Air Force personnel.
Though officials deemed the mission a success, one member of Task Force Lightning did not return home safely. Sgt. Taurean T. Harris, who had trained as a heater and air-conditioning repairman in the Army, died Aug. 2 of injuries from an improvised explosive device.
On the afternoon of Jan. 25, the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade named a wing in its motor pool for the 22-year-old soldier from Mississippi.
"I hope the dedication of this wing will honor his memory and provide a lasting testimony," said Lt. Col. Birdsong.
Sgt. Harris knew he wanted to be a soldier while he was still in high school in Liberty, Miss., where he had joined the JROTC program.
Lt. Col. Birdsong said he touched many lives during the deployment.
"He had a wide, infectious grin that drew people to him. He was a likable guy," he said.
Sgt. Harris' death was hard on those in his unit.
"I was personally amazed so many people were affected," Lt. Col. Birdsong said.
A display case in the motor pool is a lasting tribute to Sgt. Harris. It contains photographs, some of his medals and his uniform.
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