159th uncases colors after OEF 11-12

By Sgt. Shanika L. FutrellMarch 23, 2012

159th uncases colors after OEF 11-12
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159th uncases colors after OEF 11-12
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (March 22, 2012) - Command Sgt. Maj. Eric C. Thom (right), the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade command sergeant major, and Col. Todd Royar (left), the 159th CAB brigade commander, uncase the brigade's colors during an uncasing ceremo... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
159th uncases colors after OEF 11-12
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (March 22, 2012) - Command Sgt. Maj. Eric C. Thom (right), the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade command sergeant major (right), and Col. Todd Royar (left), the 159th CAB brigade commander, unfurl the brigade's colors during an uncasin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
159th uncases colors after OEF 11-12
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The 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, unfurled its brigade colors during an uncasing ceremony at the Passenger Processing Center here March 22.

Col. Todd Royar, the brigade commander, ordered the uncasing of the colors, which signified his brigade's official return from Operation Enduring Freedom 11-12 in Afghanistan's Regional Command-South.

"I truly believe the simple act of uncasing the colors is more than symbolic in nature; it really marks the transition and the life of every unit," said Royar. "Over a month ago, the brigade, as well as each of the battalions and squadron, cased their colors in Afghanistan signifying the end to their rotation over the past year. As we uncase them today, it again marks that transition. We have the opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of every Soldier and the individual units."

159th CAB Soldiers began departing Fort Campbell in January 2011 and took over the mission in March 2011, providing rotary wing air support throughout Regional Command's South and Southwest. They also worked with Afghans to build the capacity of their own national security forces.

During the yearlong deployment, 159th Soldiers not only accomplished mission objectives, but did so in a way that set them apart from other units and Soldiers.

The 159th CAB is a semifinalist for the Deployment Excellence Award (Large Category), which is scheduled to be announced sometime in April. 563rd Aviation Support Battalion earned the Lt. Gen. Ellis D. Parker Award from the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence for its superior efforts in planning and executing all sustainment operations in support of the 159th CAB. Individual Soldiers in the unit also distinguished themselves with awards like the Aviation Soldier of the Year, Avionics Award, Trainer of the Year, Aviation Medicine Award, Aircraft Survivability Equipment Award, and Air Traffic Control Maintenance Technician of the Year Award.

"As an aviation brigade, our success is never measured in numbers," said Royar, "Not in the number of hours we fly, the number of fuel we pump, or anything of the sort, it is solely measured by those we support on the ground," said Royar. "We take pride in knowing that we helped the brigade combat teams, the special operation's units and others accomplish their missions. Every one of the battalions and squadron task forces you see in front of you did exactly that. Everyone did their part, and everyone helped accomplish missions."

Royar took time to thank the Families who helped to make this deployment a successful one.

"I think we would probably all agree, our Families during the deployment probably have the harder job," said Royar. "It is only with their support that those of us in uniform are able to do what the nation calls us to do."

Chaplain (Maj.) Brian Curry, the 159th CAB brigade chaplain, blessed the ceremony with the invocation that focused on the strength of the unit's Soldiers and Families.

"Heavenly Father, as we transition from one location in mission, to home and our next mission, we ask that our unit and Families are stronger for the journey completed in Afghanistan and prepared for our next rendezvous with destiny," said Curry. "Give us strength and endurance to honor our past, and may we embrace our future with hope and enthusiasm."

That enthusiasm came through in Royar's assessment of the 159th CAB.

"Our Soldiers are disciplined and ready; our Families are resilient," he said. "We come from the greatest division in the Army; we are supported by the best communities America has to offer. We are ready for the next challenge. We are your 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, ready for its next rendezvous with destiny."