FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory W. Harvey, the squadron's new senior enlisted adviser, during a dual-purpose ceremony Monday at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield.
The ceremony marked Harvey's assumption of responsibility of the "Six Shooters" as well as the squadron's casing ceremony in preparation for its rotational force mission in South Korea, just days away. Harvey said he was honored to train and care for the Soldiers and Families of 6-6 Cavalry as the squadron begins its movement to South Korea.
"I would like to thank the command team, staff and Soldiers of 6-6 Cavalry for welcoming my Family with open arms and for all of the hard work displayed in the assumption of responsibility ceremony," he said.
Immediately after assuming responsibility of the squadron, Harvey joined Lt. Col. Hoby F. Cupp, 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment commander, to case the squadron's colors as the unit prepares to depart for its mission in the Republic of Korea.
"Should the time come, there is no doubt in my mind that you all are ready to 'fight tonight,' shoulder-to-shoulder, with one of our nation's longest-standing allies," Cupp said while addressing the squadron.
"The character, commitment and competence of every trooper in this formation is what makes us the best air cavalry squadron in the Army today," he added.
The Six Shooters are scheduled to be the fourth air cavalry squad-ron to rotate through South Korea. The Soldiers will fall in on OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters already on the Korean Peninsula after the divestment of Fort Drum's Kiowa Warriors last month.
Deploying entire units to Korea, instead of sending Soldiers on individual tours, provides commanders with formations that are more ready and trained to higher standards.
It also allows units to practice reception, staging, onward movement and integration, tasks typically performed during deployments.
"I envision adapting to the culture and high operational tempo of the Talon Brigade to be one of the biggest challenges we will have to overcome upon our arrival in Korea," Harvey said, referring to 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the parent unit that 6-6 Cavalry Soldiers will be attached to when they go to Korea.
"We must be vigilant during the RIP / TOA (relief in place / transfer of authority) and keep all levels of leadership involved during this time to ensure our Soldiers' safety," he added.
Soldiers of 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment are expected to formally assume their mission in South Korea early this fall.
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