Fort Campbell, KY.- (CLARKSVILLENOW) The 1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) cased their colors Thursday as they prepare for a nine-month deployment to Kosovo. The majority of the squadron will deploy to conduct peace support operations with U.S. NATO partners.
Lt. Colonel Scott Virgil, Commander of the squadron, talked about the upcoming deployment. “The mission will require soldiers that can be flexible, adaptable, and that can provide freedom of movement. This is something that cavalry men are always trained to do,” said Virgil.
Virgil thanked the families of the soldiers for all of their help, saying that as a squadron the soldiers could not do what they do with out the support of their families. He added that the squadron will continue to need that support and they look forward to coming home.
Captain Peter Hudelson said the the peacekeeping role of the soldiers involves helping to provide a safe and secure environment for the people of Kosovo. The soldiers not only trained for their regular reconnaissance duties, they have also been learning about the culture, heritage and history of Kosovo to aid them in their work with local authorities and agencies in the country.
The squadron will leave in about ten days and will first travel to the Joint Readiness Center in Germany for more training before going to Kosovo. No figure was given on the number of soldiers deploying.