KATTERBACH, Germany -- The 5-158th Aviation Regiment from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade cased its colors in Katterbach, Germany on Thursday Jun. 18.
Soldiers from the 5-158th Aviation Regiment held a ceremony Monday at Hangar Five on Katterbach Kaserne, where the battalion's colors were officially cased. The colors are being cased as part of U.S. Army Europe's Aviation Restructuring Initiative implemented earlier this year.
"Today we cased the colors of a storied unit whose accomplishments over these last two years have been the highlights of its more than 46 year history," said Lt. Col. Michael McFadden, commander for the battalion.
"I've enjoyed the outstanding leadership from Lt. Col. McFadden to Command Sgt. Maj. Hedricks, down to the company commanders of this great battalion. It will be sad to see it go," added Sgt. Justin Fielder, a technical communications non-commissioned officer for the battalion.
The ceremony began with the national anthems of Germany and the United States, followed by the invocation by Chaplain, Capt. Kimberly Hall.
"I guess in a way it's a bit of a sad day, coming to the end of an era but what we can celebrate is just the hard work, the dedication, the discipline, the blood sweat and tears that these Soldiers have done to accomplish great missions," added Hall.
McFadden thanked each and every soldier in attendance with words of heartfelt gratitude, for their dedication to the unit and a grateful nation.
"Though it is sad to case the colors of Mission Ready Battalion, there is one thing that brings me comfort as we close this unit. Knowing that more than 620 of the finest Soldiers I have ever served with in my 25 years of service, will be heading in one fail swoop to units throughout our great Army; bringing with them the discipline, dedication, and professionalism that make you the amazing Soldiers you are," concluded McFadden.
The 5-158th was constituted in the regular Army as headquarters and headquarters company, 158th Aviation Battalion on Jul. 25 1968 at Fort Carson, Colorado and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division. Within the last few years, the 5-158th Aviation Regiment deployed company sized elements that participated in direct support missions, air assault and general assault operations in the Ghorak District, Maiwand, Helmand River Valley, Sangin River Valley and Afghanistan. In addition, they also participated in multiple training missions in Hohenfels, Germany.
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