FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. W. Scott Gallaway, commander, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, leads the formation during a homecoming ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Event Center at Fort Carson, Colo., Feb. 26, 2019. The 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div. deployed to Europe in June in support of Atlantic Resolve, which builds readiness, increases interoperability and enhances the bonds between ally and partner militaries with multinational training. (Photo by Sgt. Sidnie Smith)
By Sgt. Anthony Bryant
4th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. W. Scott Gallaway, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Marty Book, both senior leaders for 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, uncase the brigade colors during a homecoming ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. Sidnie Smith)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade “Ivy Eagles,” 4th Infantry Division, uncased the brigade colors at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Feb. 26, 2019.
The 4th CAB deployed to Europe in June to support the Atlantic Resolve mission, which builds readiness, increases interoperability and enhances the bonds between ally and partner militaries with multinational training events in Eastern European countries.
Col. Scott Gallaway, commander, 4th CAB, visited his formation across Europe within his first two weeks overseas.
“I asked each of them to focus on two key tasks,” Gallaway said. “First, that we must leave more read than we arrived, (and) second … to get out and explore Europe; to go see the rich history and culture in (cities like) Rothenberg, Salzburg, Riga, Poznan and Prague.
“I hope I was successful in emphasizing how rare an opportunity this was … to take advantage of it, while always remembering who we represent. We come from a proud unit — the Ivy Division — that fought on the continent over 100 years ago.”
The brigade flew more than 10,000 hours while deployed. The Soldiers conducted gunneries at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany; Bemowo Piskie Training Area, Poland; Novo Selo Training Area, Bulgaria; daži Range, Latvia, and Litochoro Range, Greece.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Staff Sgt. Wesley Swanson, with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, is reunited with his wife, Courtney and son, Samuel, moments after a homecoming ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. Daphney Black)
“As I look back on these past nine months, I am exceptionally proud of how our Soldiers approached these two tasks,” Gallaway said. “We leave here more ready than we arrived, and we have built lasting relationships in Latvia, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Germany and Greece.”
Brig. Gen. William L. Thigpen, acting senior commander, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, made brief remarks at the welcome home ceremony so as not to delay the reunion between returning Soldiers and their Families.
“We’d like to welcome home the Ivy Eagle Brigade Soldiers and leaders,” he said. “What the Ivy Eagle Brigade has accomplished over the (past) nine months will have a lasting impact on the people of Eastern Europe and the entire world.”
These deployments of ready, combat-credible U.S. forces to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve is evidence of the strong and unremitting U.S. commitment to NATO and Europe.
“I want to thank the Ivy Eagle Families for their unwavering support,” Gallaway said. “We could not do what we do without (their) love and support. Duty first, Steadfast and Loyal.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Seth and Karly Dagley, 10 and 7, embrace their father, Warrant Officer Marcus Dagley with Alpha Troop, 6th Attack Reconnaissance Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, following a homecoming ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center March 2, 2019. The 4th CAB was part of a nine-month rotation to Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve to train with allies and partners and demonstrate U.S. commitment to our collective security. (Photo by Sgt. Sidnie Smith)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Cpt. Lewis Flick, a flight surgeon with 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, is reunited with his wife, Renee and son, David after a nine-month rotation to Europe. (Photo by Sgt. Daphney Black)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Cpt. Michael Volkert, 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, is greeted by his Family following a homecoming ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Event Center at Fort Carson, Colo., Feb. 26, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Spc. Ryan Perkins, with 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, is reunited with his daughter, Brooklyn, following a homecoming ceremony Feb. 18, 2019, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Sgt. Asa Bingham)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Families and friends of Soldiers with 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, stand during the national anthem at a homecoming ceremony held at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center March 2, 2019. The brigade deployed to Europe in June in support of Atlantic Resolve, which builds readiness, increases interoperability and enhances the bonds between ally and partner militaries with multinational training. (Photo by Sgt. Sidnie Smith)