FORT HOOD, TEXAS - As temperatures plummeted and hail began to fall from the ever-darkening clouds, about 100 soldiers gathered during a ceremony Jan. 22 in the III Corps building's west atrium on Fort Hood to witness a historic moment - the uncasing of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, III Corps colors.
The uncasing of colors signified the return of the unit's command team from its first deployment to Afghanistan after assuming the responsibilities of the United States National Security Element in Kabul.
The unit had oversight of administrative and logistical requirements for more than 3,000 U.S. service members, Department of Defense civilians and U.S. contractors while organizing Morale, Welfare and Recreation events to maintain high spirits amongst the troops.
The uncasing of a unit's colors is a time-honored Army tradition. The unit's flag is taken out of its cloth case and unrolled to symbolize the return of a unit to garrison from a deployed operation. The ceremony holds different meaning for the unit's soldiers.
"This is a historic moment," said Col. James Baker, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, III Corps from Nashville, Ga. "For us to go there, do well and be recognized not only by U.S. entities but also receive accolades from foreign nations for our excellence, I'm very proud."
"It's great to know this ceremony is the final mark that establishes us returning home from a deployment," said Spc. Jesus Alfaro, an imagery analyst soldier with Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, III Corps from Los Angeles. "It was nice to see several soldiers attend the ceremony."
The uncasing of the colors highlights the influence of III Corps in Afghanistan and the camaraderie built by its soldiers upon return to the unit's home station.
"Deployment was great; we did a lot of team building and bonding, and that's something we still hold well after the deployment," Alfaro said. "We're a family."
"To be welcomed in the hallways of the III Corps headquarters building and be reunited with the rear-detachment soldiers wishing us well for a our safe return home is a great feeling," Baker said.
Baker said, "Our mission is not quite done; we have to get back the remaining 300-plus soldiers and arm them with the tools needed as they reintegrate with their families."
After returning from a deployment and the uncasing ceremony, the next step for the unit's colors is receiving an Operation Enduring Freedom Banner.
The impression of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion soldiers in Afghanistan will have an indelible impact on the unit's history ... forever, Baker said.
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