FORT HOOD, Texas - After a rigorous train-up spanning more than nine months and comprising a division-level warfighter exercise, various gunneries, and a combined arms live-fire exercise, the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team "Greywolf," 1st Cavalry Division cased its colors in a ceremony on Cooper Field at Fort Hood, Texas, Feb. 16.
"They are ready to deploy, fight and win," said Col. Robert Whittle, 1st Cav. Div. deputy commander and reviewing officer for the ceremony. "They will depart soon to the Middle East for a nine-month rotation. There, our Cav Troopers will train with our allies and serve as CENTCOM's armored reserve."
As the Greywolf Soldiers, along with friends and Families of the brigade, looked on, Brigade Commander Col. John Woodward and Command Sgt. Maj. Alfred Ronneburg rolled up the unit colors and tucked them away in an operational combat pattern sheath, where they will remain until the unit arrives in Kuwait.
Upon arrival, the unfurling of the colors will signify that the brigade is operational in its new location and has taken on the mission with which it was tasked.
"Our brigade will fulfill the role of the CENTCOM commander's theater reserve, which consists of several different missions," Woodward said. "Primarily we are there to partner with and assure our allies that we're committed to the mission, and then we're also there to deter any of our adversaries from negatively influencing the region."
While Woodward said the Soldiers of the Greywolf Brigade are ready for the mission at hand, he also noted that leaving Family is still a difficult part of deployments.
"The toughest part about leaving is having to leave your Family behind, but we're going to be there with our second Families," Woodward said. "We're a tight-knit group, and we're going to be fine."
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