Story by Maj. Aaron Bryant
Talladega, Al. – Soldiers of the Alabama Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 167th Infantry Regiment, “4th Alabama”, stood shoulder to shoulder in formation as they re-patched under the command of the Florida Army National Guard’s 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, “Gator Brigade” during a ceremony at Talladega, Nov. 5th, 2016.
The ceremony, known as a patching ceremony, is performed to mark the reassignment of one military unit to another. The patch design of the 53rd IBCT, a Spanish morion or a conquistador helmet from the 16th Century, represents the largest infantry brigade in the state of Florida with over 3,400 Soldiers occupying its ranks.
“It is exciting to see all these great looking Soldiers now wearing the shoulder sleeve insignia of the 53rd Infantry Brigade,” said U.S. Army Col. John D. Haas, brigade commander of the Gator Brigade.
With this ceremony, Soldiers of 4th Alabama will become the fourth maneuver battalion of the Gator Brigade. The assignments come as part of the Army’s restructuring process designed to increase the operational capability of brigade combat teams creating more effective organizations.
“We are very happy to join the ranks of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team and look forward to the opportunities to train together,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Heath Lewis, commander of the 4th Alabama.
The newly integrated battalion’s proud lineage dates back to the Seminole Indian Wars with engagements at Seven Pines, Antietam, Gettysburg and many others. In recent history, the Alabama National Guard has enjoyed an enduring relationship with the Florida National Guard, regularly partnering together for military training exercises and operational missions.
“Your battalion colors bear truth to the greatness of your organization and conveys your impressive history as the most decorated unit in the Alabama Army National Guard,” said Haas. “This addition will greatly enhance the reputation, readiness status, and operational capacity of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.”
The Talladega based battalion will remain in the Alabama National Guard but fall under the command authority of the Florida National Guard’s 53rd IBCT.
“To Lt. Col. Lewis, Command Sgt. Major White and the Soldiers of the 4th Alabama, we thank you for all that you do, for all that you have done and for all that will be asked of you,” said Haas. “On behalf of the 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, I sincerely welcome the Soldiers, Family, and friends of the 4th Alabama to the Gator Brigade. From the Front!”