Photo By Sgt. Samantha Stoffregen | With rain pouring down, Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st...... read more read more
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FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - For the third time since 2010, Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) deployed to Afghanistan. It is the unit’s sixth deployment since Sept. 11, 2001.
In a ceremony on Feb. 27, 2015, the “Bulldogs” command team, Lt. Col. Eric Beaty, commander of 1-327th, and Command Sgt. Maj. Micheal Coffey, command sergeant major for the battalion, cased the battalion colors, signifying the start of their next rendezvous with destiny.
“We have cased our colors with a task force going forward to Afghanistan, but the entire Bulldog family remains set to take care of all missions and each other,” Beaty told Soldiers and families at the casing ceremony.
Almost half of the Bulldog formation, approximately 300 Soldiers, deployed forward, Beaty said, but the Soldiers who remain at Fort Campbell are ready to assist with any situation.
Beaty said that Task Force Bulldog will provide command and support for a base in Afghanistan.
As the time drew near for the 1-327th Soldiers to board the plane and begin their deployment, Beaty and Coffey gathered them in for one last talk.
“This is probably one of the last opportunities we’ll have to talk as a formation,” Beaty said. ”Command Sgt. Maj. Coffey and I just wanted to talk for a few minutes and tell you we are proud of y’all. This is a historic moment for the battalion.”
Beaty add that this is a deployment and the most important thing is their battle buddies sitting to their left and right.
“You represent the 101st, ensure you are helping your battle buddies out because things are going to be hectic,” Beaty said. “What we need to keep in our minds is that Bulldogs always accomplish the mission. We’ll go and get our job done.”
Coffey added that as ambassadors of the 101st, it is important to remember people are always watching.
“You guys are wearing probably the most recognized patch in the U.S. Army,” Coffey said. “Go over there, do your job and be humble.”
Col. Peter Benchoff, command of 2nd Brigade Combat team and acting deputy 101st Airborne Division commander, spoke to the Bulldog formation before they left. As he spoke, he asked those with multiple combat deployments to raise their hands.
“First time combat deployers look around, look at all those hands, there’s a lot of combat deployment experience in this formation,” Benchoff said. “Watch each other’s back. I’m very confident in this formation with the experience you are taking down range with you. I hope I have the privilege of welcoming each of you home in nine months or so.”
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2015 12:35 |
| Story ID: | 183260 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 165 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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