By Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield
2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — 1st Sgt. Justin Bryan, with 1st Battalion, 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, reunites with his daughter, Gabbie, after returning from a nine-month overseas deployment Oct. 31, 2018, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Spc. Robert Vicens)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — After a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan and Kosovo, the Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team “WarHorse,” 4th Infantry Division, watched as the brigade command team unfurled the brigade colors Dec. 5, 2018, during an uncasing ceremony at the Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center.
The uncasing of the unit colors symbolized the end of the brigade’s mission overseas and its return to Fort Carson.
Soldiers with 2nd IBCT were split into two different missions during the past nine months: 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd IBCT served as the Forward Command Post (FCP) for the Multinational Battle Group – East and the NATO Kosovo Force mission.
During their time as the FCP, the Soldiers of the 3rd Sqdn., 61st Cav. Reg. worked with NATO forces conducting security operations and engaging with the local populace.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — A Soldier with 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is reunited with his Family following a homecoming ceremony Nov. 17, 2018, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Pfc. Matthew Rabahy)
The remaining Soldiers participated in Operation Freedom’s Sentinel as part of the Resolute Support Mission, which focused on training, advising and assisting Afghan National Defense Security Forces around Southern Afghanistan.
The Soldiers stationed in Afghanistan worked side by side with and enhanced the skills of the NATO forces, and they cleared and established a mission support site in Tarin Kowt to increase advisory missions in the Uruzgan Province. They conducted ground defense area patrols throughout Southern and Southwestern Afghanistan, provided guardian angel support to the advisers in the brigade; the 40th Infantry Division, California National Guard; and the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade. The Soldiers provided support to help their Afghan counterparts set conditions for fair and secure elections, and witnessed the first successful cease-fire in the country’s history.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. Dave Zinn, left, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Anton Hillig, right, command team for the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, uncase the brigade colors Dec. 5, 2018, during a ceremony at Iron Horse Sports and Fitness Center on Fort Carson. The uncasing of the colors symbolized the return and completion of the unit’s mission in Afghanistan and Kosovo. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
“This chapter (in the brigade) was marked by discipline … by excellence in accomplishing assigned missions and conducted with dignity and honor,” said Col. Dave Zinn, commander, 2nd IBCT.
With all of the 2nd IBCT Soldiers back at Fort Carson, Zinn said the priority is to ensure they are reintegrated and that they spend time with their loved ones.
“The month of December is a break for our Soldiers. The Families and Soldiers deserve it and I hope they take full advantage of it,” said Zinn.
However, for many Soldiers the journey back to Fort Carson wasn’t short.
“There’s really no better feeling than seeing the Rockies as the plane comes down for a landing,” said Capt. Jeffery Barker. “By far the longest part of the trips was the drive from the Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group to the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. We knew we were done once we went through those doors.”
Although the current focus for the Soldiers is on Family, Zinn said he is excited to resume training in January and to prepare for the upcoming change in the brigade.
“I am personally very happy to be converting into a Stryker Brigade,” he said. “A Stryker brigade is an infantry formation, and there is a lot of commonality between an infantry brigade and a Stryker brigade, of course a Stryker brigade brings extra mobility and firepower of the Stryker vehicles.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Gen. Randy A. George, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, welcomes home Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during a homecoming ceremony Nov. 9, 2018, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. Dave Zinn, commander, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, addresses the audience Dec. 5, 2018, during an uncasing ceremony at Iron Horse Physical Fitness Center on Fort Carson. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Neysa Canfield)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, enter the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Oct. 31, 2018, for a homecoming ceremony. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill).