FORT HOOD, Texas - Signifying their rotation to South Korea, Soldiers of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team "Ironhorse," 1st Cavalry Division cased their brigade colors during a ceremony Jan. 28 on Cooper Field here.

The Ironhorse brigade began training for the Korea mission in the spring of 2015 with squad and platoon-level training. In August, they certified their crews during a combined live fire exercise dubbed the Ironhorse Challenge, and in October, they completed a decisive action rotation at the Army's National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

"Today's ceremony symbolizes the pivotal transition from training and preparation to execution," said Maj. Gen. J.T. Thomson III, commanding general, 1st Cavalry Division. "I assure you that the outstanding men and women of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team standing before you are fully trained and ready to execute this vital mission."

The Ironhorse brigade was the first combat team to be regionally aligned with Europe in 2014, and will continue their work by being the second to be aligned with the Republic of Korea.

"Ironhorse has a proud history of answering our nation's call," said Col. John DiGiambattista, commander, 1st ABCT. "Just over a year ago, we deployed to Europe and deterred Russian aggression in the Baltics. Now... to support the 2nd Infantry Division and deter North Korean aggression."

More than 4,000 Ironhorse Soldiers will take participate in the mission, replacing their 2nd ABCT, 1st Cav. Div. counterparts on the Korean Peninsula, and will spend the next nine months training with Republic of Korea military forces and United Nations Command allies and partner nations in a wide array of training events.