‘Raiders’ return, uncase colors

By admin

Posted on February 1, 2019

By Staff Sgt. Chris Perkey

1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division

FORT CARSON, Colo. — The 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Raiders,” 4th Infantry Division, uncased the brigade’s colors at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Jan. 24, 2019.

As children played and held up signs, Family members wiped away tears and the 4th Infantry Division Band played in the background, it was a day of celebration as hundreds of Raider Brigade Soldiers returned home after nine months in Afghanistan.

The Raider Brigade deployed to Afghanistan in April 2018 as part of a regular rotation of forces in support of Operation Resolute Support and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel to conduct train, advise and assist operations to aid the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces, promoting security and stability in the region.

Brig. Gen. William L. Thigpen, acting senior commander, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, congratulated the Soldiers on a job well done.

“What they have accomplished over the last nine months, they should be extremely proud of,” Thigpen said. “They have made an impact, not just on the world, but the people of Afghanistan.”

While deployed, the brigade made its presence known by conducting over 250 advise missions, 50 ground defense area patrols, more than 600 Guardian Angel adviser security missions, and over 150 direct support missions to NATO Special Operations Combined Command — Afghanistan, reducing indirect fire at more than 30 locations. Soldiers of the brigade also improved force protection through the emplacement of more than 1,000 cement wall barriers, saving the lives of U.S., Coalition and Afghan forces, as well as equipment.

Family members, friends and fellow Soldiers were present to give a warm welcome to their returning Soldiers.

“I couldn’t be (more) proud, let me tell you,” said the mother of Spc. Kaelin Caloway Dunn, 1st SBCT Soldier. “I feel so blessed to be this guy’s mom.”

Col. Monté Rone, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles W. Tennant, senior enlisted adviser, 1st SBCT, uncased the brigade colors during an uncasing ceremony, signifying the completion of the unit’s overseas mission and their return to Fort Carson.