Desert Rogues prepare for Afghanistan

FORT STEWART, Ga. - During a ceremony held at Fort Stewart's Marne Garden, Soldiers from 1st "Desert Rogue" Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Third Infantry Division, cased their unit colors in preparation for the battalion's upcoming deployment to Afghanistan, March 14.

The time-honored tradition of casing the unit colors represents the unit's readiness for deployment prior to departure. The "Desert Rogues" will be the second ground unit from the 3rd Infantry Division to ever deploy in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"The Desert Rogues are poised to make history as one of the first ever ground units from the Marne Division," said Col. Douglas C. Cardinale, commander, 2nd HBCT, and reviewing officer for the ceremony.

"The Soldiers are ready, trained, and have the right mental attitude, to take on any task or assignment they are given. This is due to the hard work and sacrifice of the Soldiers, leaders, and Families during deployment preparations, and represent the best our nation has to offer," said Col. Cardinale.

The 1/64th Armor Regiment which descended from the 758th Tank Battalion in 1941 has taken part of every major U.S. conflict dating back to WWII. According to Desert Rogue commander, Lt. Col. Charles Armstrong, it is the unit's duty to live up to the legacy of the battalion's history.

"The Desert Rogues have a long and proud history of answering the nation's call, and I am proud to say that these Soldiers stand ready as keepers of that history and tradition," said Lt. Col. Armstrong.

Due to the short training time in preparation for the unit's deployment, Lt. Col. Armstrong thanked the Famliy Members for their support during the unit's training cycle.

"We all have to thank the efforts of the Family Readiness Group for allowing the Soldiers the time to focus on the mission at hand, and to all the Family Members that stood by their Soldiers in support of the mission," Lt. Col. Armstrong said.