FORT POLK, La. --

FORT POLK, La. -- One of the newest units in the Army, the 4th Battalion, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 162nd Infantry Brigade, celebrated its one-year birthday May 1.

Officially activated at Fort Polk on May 1, 2009, the 4-353rd is one of three new battalions created to augment the newly reactivated 162nd Inf Bde to train multi-service combat advisors and deploy them to theaters of operation throughout the world.

"It is not that often the Army creates new units," said Lt. Col. Curtis B. Hudson Jr., 4-353rd commander.

To commemorate this event, the battalion held a birthday celebration April 30. This celebration not only gave the Soldiers and Families of the Gryphon Battalion a chance to note the significance of the milestone, but also offered an opportunity to recognize the battalion's accomplishments as well as those of its Soldiers and Families during the past year.

In all, 4th Bn graduated two combat advisor classes comprised of 105 service members, trained 1,347 Sailors, Airmen and Soldiers for theater deployments, deployed 10 "Gryphon" Soldiers to operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, logged more than 7,500 training hours, and conducted three Modular Brigade - Security Forces Assistance missions.

"In its first year, the battalion not only established all systems with no historical information, but also began training its first combat advisors a month early," said Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Dokey, 4th Bn command sergeant major.

"The battalion emphasizes a healthy balance between the MB-SFA mission, combat training center support, resident combat advisor training, and the quality of life for Soldiers and their Families."

In addition, the battalion validated five specialty-based training events, supported adjacent and higher units on numerous training missions, and is responsible for collective tasks in the 162nd Inf Bde. The battalion also established a successful Family Readiness Group that has conducted numerous fund-raising and social events.

"The 4-353rd (Infantry) Regiment looks forward to the future and all that lies ahead," Hudson said.