FORT CARSON, Colo. — Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, acting senior commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, Col. Ike Salle, incoming commander, and Col. Monté L. Rone, outgoing commander, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., during a ceremony on Founders Field June 21, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
By Spc. Rommel Forde
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, left, acting senior commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, passes the brigade colors to Col. Ike Sallee, incoming commander 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., during a ceremony on Founders Field June 21, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The “Raider Brigade” welcomed its new commander, Col. Ike L. Sallee, to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during a change of command June 21, 2019, at Founders Field, Fort Carson, Colorado.
Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, acting senior commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, presided over the event as Col. Monté Rone passed the command to Sallee.
“I am personally honored to be here for this historic day in the Raider Brigade,” Ryan said. “Not only is today important for both of these outstanding Army Families, but it’s important for every Soldier in the brigade.”
Sallee replaced Rone, who served as the 1st SBCT commander for the past two years. During his tenure, Rone successfully trained and led more than 4,600 Soldiers through a multitude of field exercises, two rotations at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California, and a combat deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel and Operation Resolute Support.
“In Eastern Afghanistan — in all of Afghanistan — no unit represented the United States of America more proudly and more effectively than the Raider Brigade,” said Ryan. “And no brigade combat team commander was better suited to that role than Monté Rone. He made it very clear from day one that the Raider Brigade is a special place to serve.”
Ryan thanked Rone for his service and for leading the Soldiers and Families over the past two years.
“It’s plainly clear to me how well you’ve trained, deployed, led and improved this organization,” he said.
Rone said he was blessed to work with some of the best command teams during his command.
“To serve in a position that provides leadership, guidance and mentorship to more than 4,600 Soldiers, NCOs and officers, truly takes a team,” he said. “They worked tirelessly and executed clear and concise orders to train and develop the 37 diverse companies in this amazing brigade.”
Rone expressed his confidence in his successor, Sallee.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, center, acting senior commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson; Col. Ike Sallee, right, the incoming commander; and Col. Monté L. Rone, the outgoing commander, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., render honors as the national anthem is played during a ceremony on Founders Field June 21, 2019. (Photo by Sgt. Micah Merrill)
“Although I am sad to leave the Raider Brigade, I am grateful to transition command to Col. Ike Sallee,” Rone said. “I have truly enjoyed working with you over the past year, and I am confident you will lead the Raider Brigade to even greater heights.”
He wished the best of luck to Sallee and his new team.
Sallee brings a long list of achievements and experience to 1st SBCT. He commissioned in the infantry in 1997 from the U.S. Military Academy with a degree in engineering. He has since served as a rifle and mortar platoon leader, rifle company executive officer, battalion supply officer, infantry company commander, aide to the commanding general, military aide to the vice president and military assistant to the secretary of the Army.
“There is simply nobody more well-suited to command a brigade combat team in our Army today than Ike,” Ryan said. “With tactical, operational and strategic experience, we are extremely lucky to have Ike take the reins of the Raider Brigade this morning.”
The Sallee Family is eager and grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve Soldiers and the Families and communities who support them, especially in the 1st SBCT.
“To the men and women on the field, you represent our country’s finest,” said Sallee. “My Family and I are incredibly humbled to join your ranks and prepare for our next mission together. Raider six signing on.”