Black Jack Returns to Korea

Photo By Sgt. Patrick Eakin | Sgt. Bradley Dotson, a Soldier assigned to the 8th Bde. Eng. Bn., 2nd BCT, 1st Cav. Div., looks on as 2nd BCT completes the transfer of authority and assumes its responsibility at Camp Humphreys, Republic of Korea on Wednesday, June 28, 2017.  

CAMP HUMPHREYS, SOUTH KOREA

06.29.2017

Story by Maj. Carson Petry 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea — The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas, transferred authority as the 2nd Inf. Div.’s Armored Brigade Combat Team on the Korean Peninsula to 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, during a ceremony Wednesday here.

Maj. Gen. Theodore Martin, commander of the 2nd Inf. Div., presided over the ceremony.

“Black Jack, my standing orders to you are clear and unambiguous, make ready to fight and win,” said Martin.

During the ceremony, Col. Timothy Hayden, commander of 1st BCT and Command Sgt. Maj. Dale Sump cased their colors signifying the end of the unit’s nine-month deployment. Immediately following, Col. Steven Adams, commander of 2nd BCT, and Command Sgt. Maj. William Justice uncased their colors signifying the transfer of authority was complete, and the Black Jack Brigade assumed its leadership role.

During their tenure, 1st BCT was tasked with building partner capacity and fostering strong military to military relationships with the Republic of Korea Army. The Devil Brigade conducted numerous joint training exercises honing their skills and demonstrated tactical proficiency in non-combatant evacuations of civilian personnel, counter-weapons of mass destruction operations and combat operations in a joint environment.

“The opportunity to train in a world-class environment increased the combat effectiveness of the Devil Brigade.” said Maj. Steven Chadwick, operations officer, 1st BCT. “We mastered skill sets and increased the lethality and readiness of our force through a rigorous training schedule with our Republic of Korea partners this rotation.”

1st BCT transfers this knowledge base to the 2nd BCT during the relief in place process.

“The Devil Brigade’s tireless efforts during this deployment have brought honor to the 1st Inf. Div.,” Hayden said. “I could not be prouder of these men and women who have consistently demonstrated their commitment to our Korean partners. They have been brave, responsive and on-point for our nation as we back up the U.S. commitment to the alliance with our service. I know the Black Jack Brigade is willing and able to sustain this long-term commitment.”

The Black Jack Brigade became the first combat unit to replace 1st BCT, 2nd Inf. Div. in 2015. After its first significant deployment, additional combat units have assumed this mission on the peninsula. The historic return of the Black Jack Brigade signifies the American commitment to the US-ROK alliance is stronger than ever. “Katchi Kapshida” which means “we go together,” is the motto we echo as a commitment to our partners.

“We are your armored brigade combat team,” Adams said. “We are proud to officially join the 2nd Inf. Div., ROK-US Combined Division today, and we are trained, we are ready and we will accomplish the mission.”

Adams gave a special thanks to Hayden and Sump. “Your team gave us a first class welcome,” Adams said. “We wish you all a safe return to Fort Riley.”

The Black Jack Brigade returns with experienced leadership who were a part of the first deployment in 2015. These leaders have streamlined the transition process and guided soldiers new to the Peninsula.

“It feels as though I have never left,” said Sgt. Maj. Shannon Boldman, operations Sgt. Maj., 2nd BCT. “The Black Jack Brigade has the best Soldiers and non-commissioned officers I have served with in 23 years of service and we are ready for this mission.”

Preparation for the deployment began at the individual level at home station, and progresses through the training cycle to collective tasks and a culmination exercise at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California.

“The approach we use ensures that at the tactical level, each soldier is physically, mentally and technically prepared to accomplish any mission assigned to our brigade,” Adams said. “Flexibility and adaptability are the strengths of our organization.”

The Black Jack Brigade does not deploy alone. The US-ROK alliance is a partnership that transcends national boundaries. “The Republic of Korea Army is a professional military, and we are proud to train with them as partners and friends,” Adams said. “The US-ROK alliance is a mutually beneficial partnership which we will continue to foster.”

Based on previous agreements between the U.S. and ROK governments, 2nd BCT has units at both Camp Humphreys and Camp Hovey, with plans to complete the full transition to Camp Humphreys when directed.

• Date Taken: 06.29.2017
• Date Posted: 08.23.2017 00:33
• Story ID: 245681
• Location: CAMP HUMPHREYS, KR