ROSE BARRACKS, Germany -- Troopers with 1st Squadron, 2d Cavalry Regiment, have recently returned from combat deployment in southern Afghanistan.
Family Members, leaders and Troopers gathered during a ceremony to formally recognize the squadron's successful return Feb. 28, 2014, at Rose Barracks, Germany.
Tradition remains an important part of the 2d Regiment of Dragoons today. The tradition of uncasing the unit's colors symbolizes the return from a combat zone. The colors follow the unit where it may go.
The squadron is the first of five to return from Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, but the Regiment's mission of assisting Afghan National Security Force to become self-reliant and fully capable to eliminate enemy forces within their country continues.
The commander of 1st Squadron, Lt. Col. Phillip Gage, spoke about the deployment and how it was different than others the unit has been called upon to complete.
"The mission the squadron just completed in Afghanistan is arguably one of the most complex and demanding missions we, along with our fellow squadrons, have participated in," said Gage. "The mission called for a smaller force organized specially to advise, train and assist the Afghan Security Forces as they assume full control of security in their country. The mission called for the squadron to go in small, but achieve big, and that is exactly what the War Eagles did."
The squadron is back and ready to start training and assume operations in support of the U.S. Army Europe and European Command. The remaining squadrons still deployed will continue to be supported and thought of while they still serve in a hostile environment
"As we stand here today, our regiment remains engaged in combat in Afghanistan," said Gage. "As we celebrate our return, we cannot and will not forget our brothers and sisters in arms serving in harms way. We pray for their safe return and will always remember our fallen Dragoons."
The 1st Squadron returned to Rose Barracks in January after a seven-month deployed to Afghanistan.
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