Army’s first Stryker brigade departs again
3/2’s deployment ceremony filled with emotion
J.M. Simpson
Lt. Gen. James Dubik’s voice filled with emotion as he addressed the soldiers, family members and friends of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division during its deployment ceremony.
“We’re sending off thousands of people to war,” I Corps and Fort Lewis’ commander said after the ceremony. “It should be an emotional event,” he added.
John and Diana Kaiser whose son, Sgt. John Kaiser, Jr. is assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, clearly understood the general’s feelings.
“It is hard to see him go a second time,” Kaiser’s mother. “We want him to get the job done and come home safely,” added his father.
For the brigade’s 4,000 soldiers, the deployment ceremony marks the second time in three years that the brigade has cased its colors and deployed to Iraq. For over half of the brigade’s soldiers, this deployment marks their second rotation to that country.
Current plans call for 3rd Brigade to replace the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, which is headquartered in Mosul. Soldiers will begin departing Fort Lewis in a couple of weeks.
A number of soldiers commented that they are going back to a different war. During their first deployment, they carried out security and combat operations in and around Mosul.
This time, they said they expect the Iraqis to share in the missions.
“They’ve had the benefit of learning from us,” said SFC Douglas Hale as he held his daughter Madeline. “We are better trained for this,” he added, “but so too are the Iraqis.”
“Watching these fine men and women brings back memories,” said Mike McGrath, a Vietnam veteran who shipped off to war from Fort Lewis in 1969. “I am very proud of these soldiers, and I will be here when they return,” he added.
In talking to his soldiers, their families and friends, Col. Stephen Townsend, commander, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, drove home the point the brigade is well-trained and ready to “move further and faster to the fight” than any other unit in the Army. The brigade has spent the last 17 months preparing itself for its second deployment.
A deployment that will be watched.
With the Pentagon and Iraqi officials investigating several cases in which Iraqi civilians were allegedly killed by U.S. forces, the rules of engagement will be enforced.
“We are ready to overwhelm any insurgents we encounter,” said Townsend. “And we will treat the Iraqis with dignity and respect,” he added.
As the ceremony ended, the Kaisers turned as said, “And let’s pray that they all come home safely.”
Photo - Soldiers comprising 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Divsion ... the Army's first Stryker Brigade ... are reveiwed during the unit's deployment ceremony at Fort Lewis.
Photo - Lt. Gen. James Dubik, commander I Corps and Fort Lewis, Col. Stephen Townsend, commander, 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, CSM Jeffrey Du and CSM Tommie Williams case 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division's during the unit's deployment ceremony at Fort Lewis last Friday.
(Story & photos courtesy of J.M. Simpson, Ft. Lewis Ranger newspaper)
