torch party

n. a military team sent ahead of a larger advance party. Subjects: English, Military

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Citations: 2000 Stephen K. Iwicki, Gus Greene Military Intelligence Professional Bulletin (Jan. 1) “Generating the Task Force for Combat Intelligence Operations” vol. 26, no. 1, p. 5: We ascertained the need to have several personnel deploy with the first group ("Torch Party") of personnel to arrive in Albania even before arrival of the advance parties. These three ACE soldiers coordinated land space, ensured all communications line-of-sight (LOS) requirements would be met, and coordinated the arrival of follow-on personnel. 2003 Tony Adams Columbus Ledger-Enquirer (Georgia) (June 5) “Return A Step Closer” p. A1: Some of the soldiers were returning for graduations and births of their children, Auer said, but a number of them are part of what’s known as a “torch party.” A torch party clears the way for a larger advance party of about 75 to 100 soldiers, who will work the logistics of bringing the main body of troops home. 2004 Angela Simoneaux @ Lafayette Baton Rouge Advocate (Louisiana) (Sept. 29) “256th Infantry’s first unit off to Iraq”: The “torch party,” an advance crew that departs early to set up camp, was the lead element going to the Middle East, said Dusty Shenofsky, spokeswoman for the Louisiana National Guard.…"They were from a mixture of units. They leave the main body …and start establishing operations. They’re assigned to the torch party by their function, not their unit.” 2006 Michael Pintagro @ Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan Defend America (Feb. 2) “Spartans Pave Way for Future Afghan Operations”: Members of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team “torch party”…joined colleagues from Combined Joint Task Force 76 in operating areas at Bagram Airfield, Forward Operating Base Salerno and Forward Operating Base Orgun-E.…"The main focus of the torch party was to prepare conditions for the reception, staging, onward movement and integration of the unit.…It’s designed for [reception, staging, onward movement and integration].”

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