FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) cased its colors during a ceremony Tuesday in advance of its upcoming deployment to Afghanistan this month.
The ceremony marked the transfer of the command and control of 101st CAB garrison operations to Company E, 101st CAB, rear detachment, while also honoring the brigade's history and setting the conditions for their deployment.
Col. William K. Gayler, 101st CAB commander, said the nation has called upon the brigade at a critical time in its history for the fourth time since 2003. "They continue to volunteer to answer our nation's call."
"As we continue into uncharted territory in the longest conflict our nations has ever known, our country is lucky to have such Soldiers as ours, who continue to display their resilience, selfless service, and toughness in a time of persistent conflict," Gayler said. "As our brigade and battalion colors will be cased until we assume our assigned mission, I can confidently report that the Soldiers that serve under these colors are extremely well prepared and focused for their next rendezvous with destiny."
The 101st CAB's senior-enlisted Soldier, Command Sgt. Maj. Trevor Beharie, said the unit's Soldiers are well trained, ready and equipped for this mission.
"These soldiers are more prepared than any other aviation unit I have ever seen in my life time," Gayler said. "And I don't say that lightly."
The brigade has spent months preparing for the deployment through everything from high-altitude training to integrated special operations combat training to replicate what its Soldiers will encounter during the next deployment, Gayler said. "They are more prepared now than I would have ever imagined."
"You are about to begin the next chapter in your long, proud lineage," Gayler said. "I share your sense of anticipation to get it started, and I'm honored to serve alongside each and every one of you."
Gayler thanked the Soldiers' families for being the "center of gravity" and for their continued support along the way.
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