Fort Stewart cavalrymen restore historic Bradley Fighting Vehicle

Courtesy Photo | From left to right, Spc. Philip Starkes, Spc. Nicholas Ford and Spc. Tracy Fulton all assigned to Company D, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, worked with the National Museum of the U.S. Army on Fort Belvoir, Virginia, to restore the first Bradley Fighting Vehicle to cross into Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom to its former glory. The restoration of the Bradley enables modern cavalrymen to connect to their U.S. Army cavalry lineage and maintain the vehicle for future generations. (U.S. Army photo by 1st Lt. Jared Roush)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

05.18.2021

Story by Capt. Sean Minton 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. – Five cavalrymen assigned to 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, assisted in the restoration of an M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle from May 4-6, 2021, at the National Museum of the United States Army on Fort Belvoir, Virginia. The Bradley served in the 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division that was the division’s cavalry squadron and spearhead for the U.S. invasion into Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.

The vehicle was the first Bradley to cross the demilitarized zone into Iraqi during OIF and took part in the Battle of Baghdad. The modern day 6th Sqn., 8th Cav. Regt. troopers working on the vehicle enabled the intersection the past and present of U.S. Army cavalry history.

“The cavalry and 3rd Infantry Division have long standing traditions and history with the U.S. Army and getting the opportunity to preserve the history of 3rd Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt., is a great honor,” said 1st Lt. Jared Roush, 2nd Platoon Leader in Delta Company, 6th Sqn., 8th Cav. Regt. 2nd ABCT.

The Bradley was fully restored from the ground up, replacing most of its major components including the electronic systems, engine and repairing the exterior body of the vehicle to make it look like as it did when it came off the assembly line. The Troopers help set up the exterior of the vehicle to make it look historically accurate to the time it served combat during OIF. Using their knowledge of what to place on the Bradley, the Troopers got to work placing identification panels, duffle bags, fuel cans, water cans and tarps among other things.

“I thought it was great because I got to help make a Bradley make it look as it did in combat. When people go to visit the museum now, they can see an accurate representation of a Bradley at that time,” said Spc. Philip Stark, one of the five Troopers from Delta Company, 6th Sqn., 8th Cav. Regt., 2nd ABCT, selected to maintain the living piece of history.

The 3rd Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt., was deactivated Jan. 15, 2015, at Fort Stewart, Georgia, when 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, was deactivated and converted to an infantry brigade combat team. However, the brigade was converted back to 2nd ABCT on Oct. 16, 2017, but with the 6th Sqn., 8th Cav. Regt., and not 3rd Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt., as its reconnaissance squadron. The 3rd Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt., will maintain its place in the annals of cavalry history for now with units, such as the 6th Sqn., 8th Cav. Regt., and the museum as its diligent caretakers.

“The 6th Sqn., 8th Cav. Regt., was proud to support the restoration project of this historic 3rd Sqn., 7th Cav. Regt., Bradley Fighting Vehicle at the National Museum of the United States Army,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Lamb, commander of the 6th Sqn., 8th Cav. Regt., 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID. “The experience connected our Troopers to the past and instilled in them the significance of our 3rd Infantry Division lineage and the vital importance to preserve our shared cavalry history for future Troopers.”

• Date Taken: 05.18.2021
• Date Posted: 05.18.2021 13:29
• Story ID: 396731
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US