Sgt. David Edge

FORT POLK, La. -- The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) was inactivated during a ceremony Tuesday at Fort Polk's 5th Aviation hangar. The 4th BCT colors were cased for the final time, as the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) colors were uncased, marking the brigade's reflagging and the beginning of a new legacy on Fort Polk.

On Jan. 19, 2005, a new brigade unfurled its flag for the first time on Fort Polk's Warrior Field. The 4th Brigade Combat Team stood ready to face all enemies foreign and domestic.

As the global war on terrorism raged, 4th BCT set about the task of preparing to deploy. They ultimately answered the call to duty multiple times in Afghanistan and once in Iraq, in addition to providing aid on the homefront after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. For more information about the brigade's history of service, turn to page A6.

The Patriot Brigade's contributions at home and around the world exemplify the patriotism and dedication of the men and women of 4th BCT, 10th Mountain Division. These Soldiers' constant ability to change their mission proves that their motto is just not words; these Soldiers truly are "Forged for War."

"The Patriot Brigade was forged during this war and for this war," said Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander. "This time last year, I was with the Patriots in eastern Afghanistan as they were completing their fourth deployment in this long war. They may have only had a 10-year history, but it was a history rich in accomplishments."

As the Patriot Brigade transitions to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, the brigade gains a history that is as rich in accomplishments as the one it builds upon.

"We will keep the legacy of 4th Brigade that was activated right here at Fort Polk, 10 years ago," said Col. Guy Jones, 3rd BCT commander. "We also will retain the legacy of 3rd Brigade previously assigned to Fort Drum, N.Y. … It, too, was a brigade that grew out of the Army's global war on (terrorism) force requirements, just like 4th Brigade. Together, these histories are interwoven today to start 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Patriots, assigned to Fort Polk, La."

During the inactivation ceremony, the Fort Polk community said goodbye to two of the battalions that belonged to 4th BCT. The 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion cased its colors and reflagged to become the 317th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd BCT, 10th Mountain Division.

"What I want to do with the 317th is bring back the great legacy of the 317th Buffalos that goes as far back as the WWI days," said Lt. Col. Matthew McCulley, 317th BEB commander.

Fort Polk also said goodbye to 94th Brigade Support Battalion, which was formed during the Louisiana Movements, as 710th Brigade Support Battalion uncased its colors for the first time since it was inactivated on Fort Drum.

"What I want for the 710th BSB is to live up to the motto 'Strength and Mobility,'" said Command Sgt. Maj. Eddie Camp, 710th BSB senior enlisted adviser. "That says a lot about us. It says that we want to be known as the 3rd RST of mobility. The three Rs stand for ready, relevant, and resilient; the S is for sustainment; and the T is for teamwork. So I want the 710th BSB to be known as relevant, resilient and ready to sustain the brigade through teamwork."