Photo By Staff Sgt. Mike Norris | As part of the ceremony color guard, soldiers assigned to the 4th Brigade Combat Team,...... read more read more
FORT BLISS, Texas - The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, unfurled their brigade colors Friday during an uncasing ceremony Feb. 24 at the Highlander Parade Field on East Fort Bliss.
Col. Scott McKean, brigade commander, ordered the combined arms unit’s colors to be uncased, signifying the brigade’s official return from their Operation New Dawn mission to Iraq.
“Seven months ago, we stood on this field and cased our colors amid lots of uncertainty,” said McKean. “But what we did know, was that our Highlander soldiers were highly trained and ready to take on whatever missions we were assigned.”
The “Highlanders” initiated their deployment in July and remained in Iraq until December, where they committed themselves to assisting in the safe and effective reposturing of U.S. troops and equipment by the year-end Security Agreement deadline.
Given a condensed timetable, the unit was able to successfully accomplish mission objectives while distinguishing itself as the only brigade to fully transition three major contingency operating sites in Iraq.
Other elements within the brigade were responsible for providing a theater-level operational reserve force, conducting counter-indirect fire and route clearance missions, as well as contributing substantial logistical support assets in accordance with the U.S. drawdown.
As part of a historic mission in Iraq, and with so much being asked of Highlander soldiers, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Commanding General Dana J. H. Pittard took great pride in the achievements and praise the unit received.
“As we uncase our colors today, it’s not simply to mark our return from a five-month tour; rather it represents the successful mission accomplishment of eight hard years of fighting in Iraq,” said McKean.
“It was a short period of time, but the [brigade] made a difference,” said Pittard. “Iraq is a better place because the Highlanders were there.”
The brigade’s latest deployment marks the Highlander’s second tour of duty to Iraq. The unit previously deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009, where it was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for exceptional performance and outstanding service.
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.28.2012 16:43 |
| Story ID: | 84454 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 154 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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