Task Force Spartan’s armored brigade combat teams conduct transfer of authority ceremony

Photo By Sgt. Devin Lewis | U.S. Army Col. Grant Fawcett and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Haydt, command team of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, case the brigade colors for the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division “Iron Brigade” during a transfer of authority ceremony signifying they are mission complete for Operation Spartan Shield at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Nov. 18, 2019. Immediately following, U.S. Army Col. Robert Bumgarder and Command Sgt. Maj. Elmer Harmon, command team of the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard, uncased the brigade colors for the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, “Old Hickory,” to signify the unit was ready to accept the mission for Operation Spartan Shield under the 38th Infantry Division. The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team assumed authority in March 2019 and will return to Fort Carson, Colorado. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Devin Lewis)  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

11.18.2019

Story by Lt. Col. Cindi King 

30th Armored Brigade Combat Team

Two armored brigade combat teams deployed in the Middle East for Operation Spartan Shield opened and closed chapters in their histories by conducting a transfer of authority ceremony at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Nov. 18, 2019.

The 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, cased their colors to symbolize they were mission complete, as the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard, unfurled their brigade colors to demonstrate they accepted the rotational brigade combat team mission to support the 38th Infantry Division’s Task Force Spartan.

During the ceremony, the commander of Task Force Spartan, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gordon L. Ellis, 38th Infantry Division commanding general of the Indiana National Guard, commended the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s “Iron Brigade” Soldiers for their superb performance since assuming authority of the mission in March 2019.

"To the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, in everything you were asked to do, you executed with strength, dedication and honor,” said Ellis. “As you depart, know that we are proud of you and we appreciate your service, and although you leave, you will always be in our thoughts.”

Over the course of the “Iron Brigade’s” deployment for Operation Spartan Shield, the Soldiers conducted operations in twenty-three locations and eight countries throughout the Middle East, culminating in the multi-national exercise, Eager Lion in Jordan.

“Throughout the past nine months, Soldiers from the Iron Brigade have exceeded every expectation and accomplished the mission every time,” said U.S. Amy Col. Grant Fawcett, commander of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division. “The competence, dedication and discipline of this brigade is remarkable, and we look forward to the next chapter back at Fort Carson, Colorado.”

In his remarks, Ellis commended the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team and 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team for their superb efforts working together and that he had never seen a smoother transition between brigades. He added that Task Force Spartan was ready to welcome Old Hickory on the team.

“Thank you to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team. They truly made the transition happen,” said U.S. Army Col. Robert Bumgardner, commander of the 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard. “The 30th is ready for todays’ fight. We look forward to the opportunities ahead to build on our partnerships, readiness and to set the conditions for follow-on forces. Old Hickory, stay and fight.”

The 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team is comprised of units from the North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia Army National Guard.

• Date Taken: 11.18.2019
• Date Posted: 11.18.2019 04:50
• Story ID: 352084
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW