1-12 Cav. passes the torch onto 3-8 Cav.

Photo By Staff Sgt. Steven Schneider | Lt. Col. Elliott Rogers, commander of 3rd Battalion, 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, and his senior enlisted adviser, Command Sgt. Maj. Ricardo Luera uncase their units colors at the beginning of a nine-month rotation to South Korea at Camp Stanley Oct. 24. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Steven Schneider)  

CAMP STANLEY, SOUTH KOREA

10.24.2014

Story by Spc. Lauren Harrah 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

CAMP STANLEY, South Korea – The 1st Battalion, 12th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division transferred authority to 3rd Battalion, 8th U.S. Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division during a ceremony at Camp Stanley, South Korea, Oct. 24.

The 3-8th Cav. Regt arrived on the Peninsula Oct. 16, becoming the second combined arms battalion to be deployed out of Fort Hood, Texas for a nine-month tour. The battalion will fall under the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division during its rotation to South Korea.

Col. Matthew Eichberg, 1st ABCT commander, shared his appreciation for the groundwork laid out by 1-12th Cav. Regt. in terms of a “comfortable and efficient operating environment.” Transitioning to operations in South Korea required extensive effort by 1-12th Cav. Regt, explained Eichberg. Troops transported their equipment directly from Fort Hood, Texas and hastily established their facilities and motor pools here in Korea in order to fulfill the “Fight Tonight” mission.

“It was a completely selfless approach,” said Eichberg. “They worked hard knowing most of the benefits would not be enjoyed by themselves, but by their successors. It is a clear indicator that they understand the mission does not end when the new unit gets here. There is a lot of work still to be done.”

After much preparation, the leaders of 3-8th Cav. Regt. are confident that their unit is more than capable of taking over and continuing to build upon the work of their sister battalion.

“We are so happy that the colors are now back on the Korean Peninsula,” said Lt. Col. Elliott Rogers, commander of 3-8th Cav. Regt. “This battalion has a great legacy and we are looking to continue that legacy here with the Iron Team and the “Second to None” division, 2nd ID.”

Upon their departure, 1-12th Cav. Regt. reflects on their time spent working closely with the Republic of Korea Army and the significance of the working alliance here on the Peninsula.

“I think working with the ROK Army …” said Lt. Col. Arthur Sellers, commander of 1-12th Cav. Regt. on the most valued experience his unit gained during their time in Korea. “… We got to do that at the company level with several of the companies and they really enjoyed doing that. And that was most enjoyable for me as well.”

Over the next nine months, 3-8th Cav. Regt. troops look forward to sharing similar experiences with the ROKA and Korean Augmentation to the United States Army soldiers as they prepare to conduct combined gunnery exercises.

“We cannot wait to get up to the live-fire ranges and be able to do combined live fire with our ROK partners,” said Rogers. “That’s one of the things we are looking forward to, to put a Korean tank next to a United States Army tank is going to be outstanding.”

The 3-8th Cav. Regt. is ready to support the 2nd Inf. Div. mission and defend the alliance between the United States and the Republic of Korea while exemplifying their motto, “Honor and Courage.”

• Date Taken: 10.24.2014
• Date Posted: 10.24.2014 05:05
• Story ID: 145952
• Location: CAMP STANLEY, KR
• Hometown: KILLEEN, TX, US