Col. Christopher Norrie, commander, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, speaks to Soldiers and families about the Iron Brigade’s upcoming deployment to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve at McMahon Auditorium Dec. 7, 2016. The predeployment town hall gave leaders a chance to tell Families about the importance of the mission to Europe, answer questions and provide resources to help prepare for deployment. (Photo by Capt. Scott Walters)
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Col. Christopher Norrie, commander, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, explains to Soldiers and Families the nature of the Iron Brigade’s upcoming deployment to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve during a pre-deployment town hall at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Dec. 2, 2016. The forum gave leaders a chance to explain the importance of the deployment and gave Families a chance to ask questions while receiving information to help them prepare for deployment. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
By Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Providing information to Families was a priority for the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during predeployment town hall meetings held Dec. 2 and Dec. 7, 2016.
The town halls included brigade leaders and installation Family advocates who spoke directly to Soldiers and Family members about the upcoming “Iron” Brigade deployment in January in support of Atlantic Resolve.
“The purpose of the town hall meeting was to communicate to Families the purpose of our mission,” said Capt. Chase Rham, family readiness liaison, 3rd ABCT. “Also to show them what resources are available to them on and off post while their Soldiers are deployed. We had multiple agencies who came to talk to them.”
The agencies participating in the town hall included Army Community Service, American Red Cross and Fort Carson Housing.
“This helps keep the Families’ minds at ease knowing that they have a support system to help cope with deployment and Family separation,” said Rham.
“Everyone was thankful to hear from the agencies, brigade leaders and, most importantly, from the brigade commander.”
Col. Christopher Norrie, commander, 3rd ABCT, discussed the purpose of the unit’s nine-month mission, which includes movement of armored equipment through Europe. The brigade will also perform integration tasks before sending battalions to NATO countries.
“I am convinced this is the greatest brigade in the United States Army because we have the best Soldiers,” said Norrie. “Usually when Soldiers arrive in country, they get settled in and then start their mission. This time it will be a little different. We will first test out our equipment and weapons, verify and inspect them to ensure they’re ready for operation.”
The arrival of the Iron Brigade to Europe marks the beginning of continuous rotations of U.S.-based armored brigade combat teams to strengthen NATO defenses while deterring acts of aggression.
The brigade will operate in Poland, Germany, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary.