FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Throughout its nearly 10-year history, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), has known four commanders.
With the activation of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Col. John W. Nicholson Jr. assumed command of the Spartan Brigade on Sept. 27, 2004.
Nicholson holds the distinction of being the first to command 3rd BCT in a combat zone. In December 2004, the Department of Defense announced 3rd BCT would deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
After completing a rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, La., and National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., Spartan Soldiers began deploying in Feb-
ruary 2006.
In January 2007, Col. David B. Haight assumed command of 3rd BCT from Nicholson after the DOD announcement of the unit's four-month extension.
Currently, Maj. Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr. serves as commander of 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.
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Under Haight's command, Spartan Soldiers prepared for their next deployment by completing a rotation at JRTC, in May 2008.
Later that year, DOD announced that instead of deploying to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as planned, 3rd BCT Soldiers would return to Afghanistan.
In January 2009, Spartan Soldiers began securing provinces in Regional Command -- East, serving under Combined Joint Task Force -- 101 as part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force.
Members of 3rd BCT helped to provide security for the nation's second democratic election in August.
Col. Patrick D. Frank assumed command of 3rd BCT from Haight in April 2010.
Brig. Gen. David B. Haight currently serves as deputy commander of Regional Command-
East, International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, Operation Enduring Freedom, Af-
ghanistan.
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One year after assuming command of the 3rd BCT, Frank would lead the Spartans on their third deployent to Afghanistan.
With nearly 1,700 Spartans, the unit spearheaded Operation Sledgehammer in March 2012 in Kandahar Province. The operation helped to deny Taliban members the ability to prepare for the upcoming spring fighting season while keeping insurgents from affecting the transition between 3rd BCT and its successor -- 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
The Spartans completed their third deployment to Afghanistan in March.
Col. Sam E. Whitehurst assumed command of 3rd BCT from Frank in June.
Frank currently serves as executive officer to the vice chief of staff of the Army.
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One year after Whitehurst took command of the Spartan Brigade, Department of the Army officials announced that 3rd BCT would be inactivated as part of a plan to reduce its end-strength.
Soldiers from 3rd BCT began their last deployment to Afghanistan as the Spartan Brigade with a transfer of authority ceremony Nov. 23. The unit's role was to advise and assist Afghan National Security Forces in Khost, Paktika, Paktia, Logar, Ghazni and Wardak provinces as they assume full control of security.
The Spartans' final deployment ended when Soldiers from 3rd Calvary Regiment replaced 3rd BCT on July 19 on Forward Operating Base Thunder in Paktia Province.
When Whitehurst completes his duties as the Spartan Brigade's last commander, he will take a position at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
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