FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Sept. 28, 2017) -- Soldiers from 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, gathered in formation Sept. 26 to case their unit colors in preparation for a nine-month deployment to the Republic of Korea.
"This is yet another day in the history books as we start a new chapter for the 'Six Shooters,'" said Lt. Col. Mathieu Petraitis, 6-6 Cavalry commander. "This ceremony symbolizes our mission readiness, and (it) is just as much about the squadron's tremendous growth and transition to a heavy attack reconnaissance squadron over the past year as it does our deployment."
Petraitis said that when the Soldiers returned home from their last deployment to South Korea in 2016, it marked their final mission aboard the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters.
That is when they began the transition to flying AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopters and RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aerial vehicles with the designation of a heavy attack reconnaissance squadron. Petraitis said that the Soldiers have worked hard this past year to meet all of their training objectives, which culminated in a certifying event that included multiple units and leadership from across the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Army National Guard to ensure they would succeed in their missions overseas.
"It was no easy path to get us where we are, but through it all the squadron grew and developed as a learning organization as we blended the cultures of Apache attack crews, Kiowa cavalry mindset, and the unmanned aerial vehicle community into a more capable, more effective, more responsive aerial reconnaissance, security and attack asset for the 10th Mountain Division," Petraitis said.
"It is the spirit of the volunteer, and the heart and soul of true cavalry men and women that brought us through and prepared us for our upcoming mission, and it's all due to the hard work and dedication and Mountain toughness of the Soldiers you see standing in front of you, and their Families as well that fill those less visible yet never under-appreciated role," he continued.
The unit will replace 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kan.
Brittini Wisecup, wife of Command Sgt. Maj. William Wisecup, 6-6 Cavalry senior enlisted adviser, said that it is always an honor to observe Army traditions and attend ceremonies even if it means her husband will be leaving home for several months.
"My husband has been preparing very hard for this, and I know he is very dedicated to his Soldiers," she said. "It's going to be tough, as always, but we will get through it as we always do."
She said this is his third deployment, and there's always a little concern that follows regardless of where he goes. However, she said their four children -- who range in age from 5 to 11 and were in school during the ceremony -- are quite capable of dealing with deployments.
"They don't know any different. They are proud of their dad, and they've always lived this life," Wisecup said.
She said that Families of deployed Soldiers should support each other the best they can, but they also should know about the services available on post if needed, to include family readiness groups and Army Community Service.
"We have lots of organizations that help out when people need help," she said. "We have a great FRG in 6-6, so anyone who needs help, please call. The resources are there."
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