By Sgt. David Freydin
4th Sustainment Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Soldiers form Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division come together to block a ball kicked by a Soldier from the opposing team, 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 1st Striker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., during day one of the Iron Horse Week soccer tournament Aug. 14, 2017, at Fort Carson. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds)
More than 10,000 Fort Carson and 4th Infantry Division servicemembers demonstrated their strength, teamwork and proficiency through warrior skills competitions, sports tournaments and Family events during Iron Horse Week Aug. 14-17, 2017.
Marking the 100-year anniversary of the 4th Inf. Div., the week celebrated its heritage and built esprit de corps highlighted through 12 events; including flag football, golf, basketball, combatives, combat swim, marksmanship, medical stakes, orienteering, soccer, softball, ultimate frisbee and volleyball.
Winning top honors, the ‘Steel Warriors’ from 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. took home the coveted Commanders Cup, presented by the 4th Inf. Div. command team.
1st Lt. Kelsey Didier, 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., swims her laps during the Iron Horse Week 2017 Combat Swim championship event at Iron Horse indoor pool Aug. 16, 2017. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)
“It’s all about winning,” said 1st Sgt. Malquer Manzuetaramirez, 2nd Bn. 77th FA Reg., 2nd IBCT, 4th Inf. Div. “It’s good to show the younger guys that I can still do it.”
Kicking off the week, Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, then commanding general of 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson gave words of inspiration before a 2.7-mile run and thanked everyone for making Fort Carson the best division in the Army.
The week also included special visits from Sgt. Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey former Army chief of staff, Retired Gen. Ray Odierno, and 500 members from the 4th Inf. Div. Association.
“The 4th Inf. Div. 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.”
Then Commanding General Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, meets with Elmore Glenn, a World War II veteran who landed at Utah Beach and fought in the battles of the Bulge and Huertgen Forest, Aug. 17, 2017, at Founders Field during Iron Horse Week activities. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)
Albert Swede Ekstrom, 4th Inf. Div. association member, said, “I think it’s incredible to get to see all these Soldiers out here competing. I’m 70 years old so I probably wouldn’t be able to do much of this, but it’s a lot of fun to watch. And we’re very impressed with our young people. It’s really incredible.”
Soldiers said they enjoyed the competition and camaraderie during the event.
“We don’t get too many opportunities to interact with Soldiers from other brigades, but Iron Horse Week allowed us to show that Soldiers from 4th Sustainment Brigade can hold their ground against combat units,” said Sgt. Sergio Bacio, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Special Troops Battalion, 4th SB, 4th Inf. Div. “Our Soldiers came together and built stronger relationships because of it.”
“It always motivated me when it came to Iron Horse Week. To see the Soldiers come together and build teams. It made Soldiers better, and it brought them together … and they look forward to it,” added Dailey.
The week concluded Aug. 17, 2017, with an awards ceremony announcing the overall results of the competitions and a free USO concert featuring country singer Billy Currington.
Soldiers participate in the first day of the Iron Horse Week combatives tournament Aug. 14, 2017, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo courtesy of 10th Special Forces Group, Airborne)
Soldiers compete in the Iron Horse Week combatives tournament finals Aug. 16, 2017, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Spc. James Richardson)
Five Soldiers from Signal Intelligence Sustainment Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, participate in a medical stakes lanes competition Aug. 15, 2017, at Fort Carson. The medical event is one of many competitions that was held Aug. 14-17, 2017, for Iron Horse Week and the 100th year heritage of 4th Inf. Div. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds)
Spc. Devon Heggins, wearing No. 20, 4th Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, drives to the hoop amid several defenders from 759th Military Police Battalion during the Iron Horse Week 2017 basketball championship match at Fort Carson Aug. 16, 2017. 4th BSB won the game to become the new champions. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)
4th Infantry Division Association members visit one of the many locations on Fort Carson during Iron Horse Week Aug. 14-17, 2017. (Photo by Sgt. Dommnique Washington)
Sgt. Krista Carroll with 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, digs in and keeps the ball in play during the Iron Horse Week volleyball tournament Aug. 14, 2017. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Perkey)
Spc. Landon Robinson with 127th Military Police Company, 759th Military Police Battalion, takes aim and fires his M9 pistol during the marksmanship stress shooting competition, Aug. 15, 2017. Held annually, Iron Horse Week brings together Soldiers and their Families through soldier skill competitions, sporting events and festivities to build unit and family cohesiveness. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Perkey)
A Soldier competes in the Iron Horse Week golf tournament Aug. 14, 2017. (Photo by Sgt. David Freydin)
Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, player runs with the ball as players from 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., move in on him during the Iron Horse Week football tournament Aug. 14, 2017, at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center Complex football field. (Photo by Sgt. David Freydin)
Staff Sgt. Nick Salentine, a howitzer section chief with 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, scores a run for his team with only inches to spare during the championship game of a softball tournament against Soldiers from 759th Military Police Battalion Aug. 16 at Fort Carson. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Lance Pounds)
4th Infantry Division veterans lead the way as they join current Soldiers of the “Iron Horse” Division participating in a division pass and review Aug. 17, 2017, at Founders Field as part of the Iron Horse Week festivities. The event commemorated the division’s 100th anniversary and continuing contributions in support of the nation. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)
Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, right, then commanding general of 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard L. Ayala Jr., left, and retired Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, center, former chief of staff of the Army, present the Iron Horse Week Commander’s Cup to the 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., command team, Lt. Col. Donald Cherry, second from right, and Command Sgt. Maj. Amara Fofana Aug. 17, 2017, at Iron Horse Park. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke)