1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Regiment, conducted their change of command ceremony on June 7, 2019, at Fort Stewart Ga. The unit said goodbye to Col. Mike Adams, the outgoing commander of 1ABCT, 3ID, and welcomed the incoming commander, Col. Trent Upton.
During his tenure, Adams led the brigade through a rigorous rotation at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Ca. in 2017, a nine-month mission to Korea in 2018 and multiple post level training exercises on Fort Stewart, Ga. However, Adams could not have done it alone.
"To our Soldiers, thank you for what you do every day," said Adams. "Our mission to Korea was a tough one and you rose to the challenge.''
The unit's deployment to the Republic of South Korea was the first time Soldiers from the 3ID returned to the peninsula since the Korean War.
"We arrived to the Republic of Korea with the clouds of war brewing and we walked off the plane ready to fight," said Adams. "As the most deployed ABCT in all of the XVII Airborne Corps, I could not be prouder of our Soldiers and their service here, and in Korea."
Maj. Gen. Antonio Aguto, the 3ID commander and distinguished guest speaker at the ceremony, delivered a speech and thanked Adams and the Soldiers of 1ABCT, known as the Raider Brigade, for their accomplishments.
"Thank you for all you have done for the Raiders and their Families, the 3ID, and the U.S. Army." Augto said. "Mike, you should be proud of the formation in front of you as they represent the best of our Army."
Aguto continued to speak about all that the Raider brigade has done under Adams' command.
"The readiness and lethality that 1ABCT brought to the 3ID has markedly strengthened the armored fist of the XVIII Airborne Corps," said Augto.
During the ceremony, Adams passed the unit colors to Upton. This tradition marked the official relinquishment of command from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander.
Aguto also addressed Upton during his speech, and expressed that he was confident in his abilities to lead the brigade.
"Trent, you are exactly the right leader to take command of the brigade," said Aguto. "No one is better prepared to build on all of these achievements, and I know you will do great things in this next chapter of the Raider brigade."
Upton also delivered speech addressing the Soldiers of 1ABCT. He introduced himself and expressed how he plans to continue the success of unit.
"To the Raider nation, my name is Upton and I am Dog-Face Soldier," said Upton. " My why is you, and us. My why is our mission, our Soldiers and our Families." "The expectations are clear; to win, to win the right way and without excuse, because winning matters."
As the ceremony came to a close, all congratulated Upton and welcomed him to Raider Family.
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