More than 350 Thunderbirds formally don their combat patch

Photo By Leanna Maschino | More than 350 Oklahoma Thunderbirds with 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Oklahoma Army National Guard, donned their combat patch in a time-honored ceremony held January 2018 in Kabul, Afghanistan, joining an exclusive Veteran brotherhood of Oklahoma Army National Guard members, both past and present. Nearly 500 members of the 180th are currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of the NATO-led train, advise and assist mission, Operation Resolute Support. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Capt. Leanna Litsch)  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.26.2018

Story by Capt. Leanna Maschino 

45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

KABUL – More than 350 Oklahoma Thunderbirds with 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, donned their combat patch in a time-honored ceremony held January 2018 in Kabul, Afghanistan, joining an exclusive Veteran brotherhood of Oklahoma Army National Guard members, both past and present.

Nearly 500 members of the 180th are currently deployed to Afghanistan in support of the NATO-led train, advise and assist mission, Operation Resolute Support, making more than 70 percent of the 180th’s formation first-time deployers.

The U.S. Army combat patching ceremony is a 100-year tradition, as the first ceremony was held in 1918. The combat patch, or Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Former Wartime Service (SSI-FWTS) is meant to represent an overseas deployment to a hostile environment, signifying a Soldier’s participation in combat operations.

“Just the history behind the Thunderbird, it is amazing,” said Lt. Col. Michael Urrutia, commander of the 180th. “You’re about to enter a very time-honored tradition with this Thunderbird on your right sleeve. When you wear it, wear it with extreme pride.”

For some deployed Troopers such as Sgt. Michael Bolgrin, religious affairs non-commissioned officer for the 180th, earning the Thunderbird patch on his right sleeve is fuelled by a longstanding family heritage.

“My grandfather served in WWII and Korea,” Bolgrin said. “That was a big reason why I chose National Guard, was so I could serve in the same unit as he did.”

Bolgrin’s grandfather passed away before he was born, but he grew up hearing stories and seeing photos of his grandfather proudly wearing the Thunderbird.

“The patching ceremony was always a really big deal to me because now I’m able to wear the same combat patch that my grandfather wore,” Bolgrin said. “For me it has a lot of sentimental value and tradition behind it, knowing that I’m serving alongside Thunderbirds like my grandfather.”

This is the first time in more than six years the 45th IBCT has deployed a unit to Afghanistan. The last deployment to the region took place from 2011 to 2012, where the brigade deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

Though exceptions are sometimes made to the rule, combat patches are typically earned for a military operation lasting over 30 days. For deployed members of the 180th, that 30-day timeline has officially been met, leaving approximately eight more months until returning home.

• Date Taken: 01.26.2018
• Date Posted: 01.30.2018 08:40
• Story ID: 263656
• Location: KABUL, AF