Attack Reconnaissance Battalion takes over in Kuwait for Operation Spartan Shield.

By SPC Tom JohnsonJune 13, 2013

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CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT -- 3-159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion assumed mission responsibility in Operation Spartan Shield Tuesday, taking over for 1-51st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion in a ceremony hosted by 29th Combat Aviation Brigade Commander Col. David Carey at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

Carey was quick to recognize the exhaustive efforts 3-159th put in to join the 29th CAB in theater. "It should not be forgotten just how difficult it was for the battalion to mobilize in less than a month and a half," said Carey. "In that time they arrived in theater and quickly became operational here on the ground, an outstanding achievement for a forward detachment and a battalion as a whole."

Bravo Company entered theater in early April as an advance group, setting up operations for the battalion as a whole. With Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Alpha, Delta, and Echo companies now at Camp Buehring, 3-159th is operating as a single entity once again.

Lt. Col. Stephen Murphy, commander of 3-159th, stood with Command Sgt. Maj. Drury Puckett in front of their battalion formation to uncase the colors. Each company commander of the battalion uncased their respective company's guidons as well.

The uncasing of the Battalion colors signifies the transition of 3-159th from its home station in Illesheim, Germany to it's deployed location in Camp Buehring.

"We're here, and it's good to be on the ground, but it's important to remember that now is the time to roll up the sleeves and get to work. We have a mission and we're going to accomplish our goals," said Murphy.

With his troops in formation, Murphy continued to praise the efforts of all the soldiers involved who kept each aircraft in operational status during the transition phase.

The battalion now looks ahead to its upcoming missions in conjunction with designated partner nations throughout the region.

The ceremonies were conducted by Maj. Lee Fennema of 3-159th and the audience included Task Force 3-1 Chief of Staff Col. John Rogers, Task Force 3-1 Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Bernard Brown, as well as the commander and sergeant major of the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division, Col. Scott Efflandt and Command Sgt. Maj. Mervyn Ripley.