By Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor
Col. Michael J. Simmering, left, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel Rapp uncase the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, colors, during a ceremony Oct. 21, 2017, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. The uncasing of colors signifies the official relocation of the brigade’s center of operations back to Fort Carson. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ange Desinor)
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
After completing a nine-month rotation in Eastern Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve, the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, uncased its unit colors Oct. 21, 2017, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center.
“The uncasing of our colors signifies the official relocation of the brigade’s center of operation back to Fort Carson, as we prepare for the next mission,” said Col. Michael J. Simmering, commander, 3rd ABCT.
The unit represented the first of a continuous rotation of heavy brigades based in the United States that are bringing their entire equipment set to Europe to train alongside allies and partners as a demonstration of U.S. commitment to NATO.
“It was very interesting to see Europe execute the first heel-to-toe mission and watch the entire theater grow to understand what it takes for two armored brigade combat teams to move that quickly into theater, and be mission ready,” said Simmering. “It provided a lot of lessons learned in preparing for future possible contingencies.”
Maj. Gen. Randy A. George, second from left, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, and Sgt. Maj. Christopher J. Williams, Rear Detachment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., greet Soldiers Oct. 10, 2017, at the Arrival/Departure Air Control Group. The 3rd ABCT Soldiers were returning from a nine-month deployment in support of Atlantic Resolve. (Photo by Sgt. Dommnique Washington)
During Atlantic Resolve, the “Iron” Brigade participated in many exercises such as Combined Resolve where units trained for nine days of continuous fighting against an intentionally complex opponent. This gave 3rd ABCT an opportunity to showcase not only its lethality as a deterrent against aggression in Eastern Europe, but its ability to fight alongside allies and partners.
The Soldiers also participated in Getica Saber 17, part of the U.S. Army Europe-led series of Black Sea-region exercises falling under the Saber Guardian 17 moniker.
“The ‘Iron’ Brigade managed to set a very high standard for what it takes to execute heel-to-toe rotations, demonstrating a continuous presence of an armor formation in Europe,” said Simmering. “I think that a lot of the lessons that were learned by the brigade and U.S. Army Europe, are going to be built upon over the next few years. We are going to see this whole process mature to where it becomes much smoother and allows the Army to react much faster.”
The Soldiers are now taking time to enjoy being back at Fort Carson.
Emery Kocher dresses to impress as she reunites with her father, Sgt. Thomas Kocher, during a 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, welcome home ceremony Oct. 6, 2017, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. The majority of the brigade has returned from a nine-month deployment to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve. (Photo by Alexandra Shea)
“Right now, we have to spend some time taking care of Soldiers and their Families as the rest of our equipment returns,” said Simmering. “Just like any deployment, the Soldiers endured a lot of hardships. I think the Soldiers are really happy to be back and are relieved that they are back home with their Families.”
“I’m so happy to finally be home to my Family,” said Staff Sgt. Rosa Rios, a supply sergeant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd ABCT, 4th Inf. Div. “I’ve learned a lot while I was deployed and really enjoyed working with people from different countries.”
The Iron Brigade will continue to maintain its level of readiness at Fort Carson.
“After the first of the year, we have more training scheduled,” said Simmering. “Our focus is getting our formations ready for when we are called.”
Soldiers of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, take center stage at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Oct. 6., 2017. (Photo by Alexandra Shea)