By Lt. Col. Jason S. Brown
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Officer
More than 5,000 Fort Carson Soldiers and Airmen participate in a run to kick off Iron Horse Week 2016. (Photo by Sgt. David Freydin)
Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson will gather on the fields of friendly strife across the Mountain Post Aug. 14-17, 2017, to celebrate the annual Iron Horse Week.
The traditional week of competition takes on special meaning this year as the “Iron Horse” Division celebrates its 100th anniversary.
Established Dec. 10, 1917, at Camp Greene, North Carolina, in preparation for America’s entry into World War I, the 4th Division has been at the forefront of the nation’s most important battles and established a tradition of excellence that carries forward to this day. The week’s tournaments, encompassing 12 competitive events and a division run, highlight this tradition, with the winner taking home the coveted Commander’s Cup and bragging rights for the year.
For the last year the Commander’s Cup has resided with 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., and the “Blackhawks” are looking forward to the challenge of keeping it.
“I was proud of our Troopers last year because of their winning attitude,” said Lt. Col. Jason Rosenstrauch, commander, 2nd Sqdn., 1st Cav. “That attitude during
competition is directly related to a winning attitude on the battlefield.”
This is a special time of year for Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson.
Click image for 2017 Iron Horse Week eight-page special section
“Iron Horse week gives our Soldiers a chance to build teamwork and camaraderie through friendly competition,” Gonsalves said. “For this one week a year, we all share the
same fields, strengthening the bonds that make us all Iron Horse Soldiers.”
The presence of 4th Infantry Division Association members brings special meaning to this year’s annual festivities. In addition to their attendance at competitive events and hosting a “Dancing Through the Ages with the 4ID” event, they will be participating in Thursday’s division pass in review, proving the stalwart professionalism of the “Ivy Division” Soldier is a lifelong trait.
“The 4ID Association’s presence makes this week of competition more important than ever,” said Gonsalves. “Our Soldiers have big shoes to fill, and with their predecessors watching, they’ll be giving it their all to prove they have what it takes to carry on the proud Iron Horse tradition of excellence.”
As the Iron Horse Soldiers stand ready to answer the nation’s call, not all of the division is on Fort Carson to participate this week.
In addition to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, representing the division and the United States Army across central and eastern Europe in Operation Atlantic Resolve, Soldiers from 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Sustainment Brigade and the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion continue to serve in places such as Afghanistan and Poland. While their absence will most certainly be felt, their Soldiers here at Fort Carson are proudly representing their commands in all 12 events.
Building a cohesive team is what Iron Horse Week is all about. Events will conclude on Thursday with the awarding of the Commander’s Cup and a free USO concert with country recording artist Billy Currington, but the camaraderie earned through sportsmanship and competition will continue to drive the Iron Horse Division throughout the year.
Gonsalves will be relinquishing command Aug. 24, 2017, a week after Iron Horse Week concludes, and is anticipating finishing his time with the Ivy Division on a high note.
“I look forward to awarding the Commander’s Cup every year,” he said. “It takes dedication and hard work to perform well across all 12 events, and the unit that receives it represents the mettle and fortitude of the Iron Horse Soldier.”