'Devil' brigade cases colors ahead of Korea deployment

By Staff Sgt. Warren W. Wright Jr., 1st ABCT, 1st Inf. Div.October 19, 2016

'Devil' brigade cases colors ahead of Korea deployment
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT RILEY, Kan. -- Col. Timothy Hayden, the commander of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, stands in formation in front of the brigade's color guard after casing the unit's colors during a deployment casing ceremony on Cava... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
'Devil' brigade cases colors ahead of Korea deployment
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT RILEY, Kan. -- Col. Timothy Hayden, the commander of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, speaks to attendees of the brigade's deployment casing ceremony on Cavalry Parade Field Sept. 23. During the ceremony, the brigade a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
'Devil' brigade cases colors ahead of Korea deployment
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT RILEY, Kan. -- Lt. Col. Richard Ikena (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Ivan Baez-Santana (right), the commander and command sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, respec... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
'Devil' brigade cases colors ahead of Korea deployment
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT RILEY, Kan. -- Col. Timothy Hayden (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Sump (right), the commander and command sergeant major of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, respectively, case the brigade's colors during a ceremony ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RILEY, Kansas - The Soldiers of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division officially cased their unit colors during a colors casing ceremony at the Cavalry Parade Field Sept. 23.

The casing of the unit colors is an Army tradition that symbolizes the movement of a unit to a new theater of operations. The 1st ABCT will deploy to the Republic of Korea for nine months as part of a rotational force in order to maintain security on the Korean peninsula.

The ceremony began with an inspection of the formation of troops on horseback by Col. Timothy Hayden, the commander of the 1st ABCT, and Brig. Gen. Patrick Frank, the 1st Inf. Div. deputy commanding general, followed by the traditional casing of the colors by the brigade headquarters and each subordinate battalion.

"Today's an exceptional day for many reasons, but most importantly because it recognizes the Soldiers on the field as the brigade cases its colors and prepares to assume its mission in the Pacific theater of operations," Hayden said. "I can tell you for certainty that the 'Devil' brigade combat team is trained and ready for its mission."

Once in country, the brigade will replace the current rotational unit, the 1st ABCT, 1st Cavalry Div.

During their rotation in the Republic of Korea, the "Devil" brigade will be responsible for supporting the U.S. security commitment to the nation as well as maintaining relationships with the unit's Korean partners through combined training efforts.

The brigade will integrate with the 2nd Inf. Div. in order to deter external aggression and defend the Korean Peninsula while strengthening the Republic of Korea -- U.S. alliance and maintaining the military armistice in Korea.

"The disciplined 1st Brigade Soldiers are the most prepared, highly trained brigade combat team in the world," Frank said. "First Brigade's reputation for warfighting is the gold standard. These Soldiers are known for their aggressive, offensive spirit and they dominate the battlefield."

Once the unit officially takes responsibility for the mission in Korea, the brigade will host an un-casing ceremony.

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