‘Devil’ Brigade Soldiers participate in Army Current Operations Engagement Tour

Photo By Maj. Fredrick Williams | Col. Reynolds provides an overview of the “Devil” brigade’s deployment to Kuwait and the support it provided during Operation Inherent Resolve to Senate Armed Services Committee staffers.  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

05.22.2015

Story by Maj. Fredrick Williams 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

WASHINGTON – Seven “Devil” brigade Soldiers got an opportunity to share the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division’s accomplishments during their recent deployment as part of the Army Current Operations Engagement Tour from May 18 to 22 in the nation’s capital.

The group, led by Col. John Reynolds III, 1st ABCT commander, shared experiences gained during the brigade’s deployment to Kuwait and Iraq with select members of Congress, congressional staffers, think tanks and members of the joint staff during several open and closed-door sessions.

The purpose of the tour was to help key audiences in the beltway better understand the Army’s capabilities and provide a better understanding of Army contributions to national security.

“The ACOET is great opportunity for the Army to bring in brigade leadership teams to provide members of Congress and joint staff with credible anecdotes from the unit’s recent deployment in an informal setting,” said Lt. Col. Chris Danbeck, an Army legislative liaison and former “Big Red One” Solder. “We hope these engagements help our policy makers understand how current policies are impacting Soldiers in the fight.”

In addition to meeting with members of Congress and the joint staff, the group engaged the faculty and staff of three separate think tanks at the National Defense University. They discussed deployment related issues, primarily focusing on the brigade’s mission to build partner capacity.

They also talked about the advise and assist roles some of their Soldiers recently held in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

The National Defense University’s Near East South Asia Center and the College of International Security Affairs hosted the group May 21 to gain insights and to understand the complex issues associated with supporting multiple operations in both Kuwait and Iraq.

Reynolds used a series of slide presentations and short video clips to illustrate these issues, which spurred spirited discussions between the audience and the group.

Ultimately, Reynolds emphasized professionalism and trust was essential to the success of his brigade throughout the deployment.

“To hear how it’s done and to hear about the challenges was my biggest take away from today,” said Roger Kangas, academic dean and professor with the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. “How you can take a large organization like an armored brigade combat team, move it into the region to different locations in the range of countries this unit has worked with, is quite impressive.”

Reynolds, whose family lives in Hawaii, was also afforded the opportunity to meet briefly with U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii and Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts as part of the week-long program.

Reynolds presented Roberts with a list of the brigade’s accomplishments and the two discussed the importance of remaining ready for the “next mission.”

“Successes don’t always make the news,” Roberts said. “I am proud of what your brigade and the division have accomplished.”

• Date Taken: 05.22.2015
• Date Posted: 07.07.2015 11:33
• Story ID: 169232
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US