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Bright smiles, endearing hugs and tears of joy were shared when Soldiers locked eyes with their spouses and family members after completing a mission in Djibouti, Africa.
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division returned in three chalks from a nine-month deployment in support of the Regionally Aligned Forces mission in Africa at the Arrival and Departure Airfield Control Group here Sept. 15, Sept. 17 and Sept. 28.
“We supported the East African Response Force, in addition to providing security forces in various locations,” said Lt. Col. Tommy L. Cardone, commander, 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division. “We also conducted training missions throughout East Africa in support of our East African partners.”
Participating in the mission with the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa allowed the Soldiers to be an asset to partner nations and utilize the training they received while back home.
“Our Soldiers were very professional and upheld the standards that Command Sgt. Maj. Terry L. Weiss and Col. Chip Daniels, our brigade command group, instill in us as a brigade,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice D. Peebles, senior enlisted adviser for 1st Bn., 77th Armor Regt., 3rd BCT, 1st AD.
“Completing this mission gave us an opportunity to be an example of what professional Soldiers look and act like. Whether we worked with allies, partner nations, or partners in the Marines, Air Force and Navy, we upheld the professional nature of our noncommissioned officer core and officer core,” Cardone said. “The Army really is the Swiss Army knife of the Department of Defense. We can do anything.”
Not only did the Soldiers complete their mission successfully, they were also able to leave a lasting impression.
“The commanding general of Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa gave many accolades to our Soldiers and the support we were able to provide. They felt we made a great impact there,” Peebles said.
“We were given an opportunity to serve. Not very many people get to leave home, go overseas to complete a defined mission for the United States government,” Cardone said. “Our Soldiers have executed a mission in a foreign country and accomplished something that many have not. Now they have come home with honor and pride for the American nation.”
The command group for 1st Battalion, 77th Armor Regiment could not be more pleased with their Soldiers’ performance.
“I am very proud of my Soldiers. We were the only active duty battalion on the entire continent, which is four times the size of the United States of America,” Cardone said. “It’s a lot for them to be proud of. Now we can take a deep breath and reintegrate with the Fort Bliss community and give our best effort to 1st Armored Division.”
| Date Taken: | 09.28.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2016 18:29 |
| Story ID: | 211079 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 32 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 3rd BCT Soldiers return In support of East African partners, 1-77 AR completes successful mission, by SGT Von Marie Donato, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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