Combat Aviation Brigade welcomes 'Fighting Sixth' from Fort Carson

By Jordan ChapmanJuly 9, 2009

Combat Aviation Brigade welcomes 'Fighting Sixth' from Fort Carson
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Combat Aviation Brigade welcomes 'Fighting Sixth' from Fort Carson
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FORT RILEY, Kan. - Applause came quickly as the colors of the 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, were uncased July 1 at Marshall Army Airfield, an event that marked the first time the regiment has ever been stationed at Fort Riley.

Soldiers standing before the many Fort Riley and surrounding community leaders also enjoyed substantial applause because the ceremony marked the completed arrival of all of the CAB's helicopters to one airfield.

Soldiers of the 1st Sqdn., 6th Cav. Regt., a Kiowa reconnaissance battalion, deployed for 15 months to northern Iraq along with other units of the CAB. The brigade's work during deployment resulted in a 70 percent decrease in violence, said Col. Jessie Farrington, CAB commander. Farrington also stated he and many others have been waiting a long time for this to happen.

"I know the 'Demon' Brigade, the 'Big Red One' and the Central Flint Hills community are absolutely thrilled with this great squadron being here at Fort Riley," Farrington said, a statement Lt. Col. Kenneth Chase, battalion commander, agreed with.

"There is an old Army saying that home is where the Army sends you, and as our troopers and their Families begin settling into their new homes here in the heartland of America, I have been asking about their first impressions," Chase said. He read off statements like "friendly," "good and honest people," "great facilities," "a sense of community" and "fantastic fishing" as a sample of just a few words from the Soldiers holding ranks during the ceremony.

"Today, this morning, it feels good to be home," Chase said.

Though constituted in 1861, the "Fighting Sixth" has called many places home in the past 50 years including Germany, Fort Meade, Md., and Fort Hood, Texas. The regiment also is no stranger to battle. Its Soldiers saw action in the Spanish-American War, the China Relief Expedition, the Punitive Expedition and both world wars, as well as serving in 16 campaigns and many battles during the Civil War.

"This cavalry squadron has fought in most of our nation's major conflicts and has a history almost as long as this nation. Whether it was on horseback or in their venerable Kiowa Warriors (helicopters), these troopers are out front, sabers drawn," Farrington said.

The squadron has approximately 380 Soldiers and is authorized about 30 Kiowa helicopters.