Sledgehammer Brigade assumes mission in Kuwait

Photo By Sgt. Christopher Johnston | Col. Johnnie L. Johnson Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian D. Harrison, command team for 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, uncase the Sledgehammer Brigade's colors during an assumption of mission ceremony today at Camp Buehring, Kuwait. The Sledgehammer Brigade will conduct joint training, exercises and security cooperation with its Kuwaiti counterparts during deployment.  

KUWAIT

06.29.2012

Story by Sgt. Christopher Johnston 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait- As one brigade completes its mission and its mark in history, another brigade begins the journey to make a mark of its own.

An assumption of mission ceremony was held today between the Soldiers of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, based out of Fort Hood, Texas, and the Soldiers of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, based out of Fort Benning, Ga.

As part of the ceremony, Col. Scott L. Efflandt and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert F. Leimer, commander and sergeant major, respectively, of 1st BCT, 1st Cav., cased their colors, representing the end of the Ironhorse Brigade’s mission in Kuwait.

“The best part of this color casing ceremony, beside the eminent return to our families,” said Effandt. “Is that forward progress will continue; the Sledgehammer Brigade will no doubt continue to build what we have started here.”

The Ironhorse Brigade deployed in July 2011 to Iraq as an advise and assist brigade focused on building Iraq’s military capabilities and ensuring adequate security of Iraq by the Iraqi Security Forces. The unit ended America’s mission in Iraq as the last brigade to exit the country in December 2011.

The Ironhorse Brigade then redeployed to Kuwait in support of Third Army/U.S. Army Central.

After the casing of the Ironhorse Brigade’s colors, Col. Johnnie L. Johnson Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian D. Harrison, commander and sergeant major, respectively, of 3rd ABCT, uncased the Sledgehammer Brigade’s colors, assuming Ironhorse’s mission in Kuwait.

“This is truly an exciting day for the Sledgehammer Brigade,” said Johnson. “Our deployment to the [Central Command] area of responsibility marks the culmination of many months of training and preparation.”

The Sledgehammer Brigade will conduct training and joint exercises with its Kuwaiti counterparts and continue the military-to-military cooperation with Kuwait and other regional partners.

• Date Taken: 06.29.2012
• Date Posted: 06.29.2012 16:26
• Story ID: 90880
• Location: KW