CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - As the "Devil" brigade's Soldiers prepared to head home after a successful nine-month deployment to Southwest Asia and relinquish their duties in the U.S. Army Central area of operations, there was just one more mission they had to accomplish before returning back to Fort Riley - conducting a transfer of authority ceremony with the incoming brigade.
The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conducted the ceremony March 4 with the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Carson, Colorado.
The ceremony, held at the Camp Buehring Oasis Stage, marked the beginning of the next chapter for the "Iron" brigade in the USARCENT area of operations.
Col. John Reynolds III and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Evans, 1st ABCT command team, cased the brigade colors during the ceremony, indicating the completion of their mission.
Col. Gregory Sierra and Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims, 3rd ABCT command team, then uncased their brigade's colors, signifying the mission's transfer.
"It is great to be here today with two fine brigades," said Maj. Gen. Dana Pittard, USARCENT deputy commanding general for operations. "It is an honor to say goodbye to one fine brigade and welcome yet another."
Pittard said the 1st ABCT was one of the most versatile brigades he saw in USARCENT and wished the Soldiers "Godspeed and good luck."
"The 3rd ABCT has big shoes to fill, but they are ready for the task," Pittard added, welcoming the new unit.
During their deployment, 1st ABCT Soldiers partnered with the Kuwaiti military, conducted more than 350 combined training events and provided combat forces to assist in the mission of building partner capacity in Iraq.
"Although partnering with the Kuwaiti military was a main focus for our partnership here in Kuwait, we didn't limit ourselves to just one location," Reynolds said. "Our Soldiers have enjoyed their time here and have experienced the true culture of this beautiful country. We are thankful to our Kuwaiti partners."
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