FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) uncased its colors during a ceremony at Fort Campbell’s McAuliffe Hall at the 101st Abn. Div. headquarters Wednesday, Dec. 19.
An Army tradition, the ceremonial uncasing of the Division’s colors represents its return to Fort Campbell following a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. More than 250 Soldiers from the Division’s headquarters served at the fore of the conditions-based U.S. South Asia Strategy and the NATO-led, 41-nation Resolute Support mission.
In addition to overseeing the train, advise and assist mission and supporting the Afghan National Defense Security Forces, the “Screaming Eagles” synchronized U.S. counter terrorism operations, keeping America safe and setting the conditions for a political and peaceful settlement to the Afghanistan conflict.
Major General Andrew Poppas, Commander of the 101st and Fort Campbell talked about being home.
“I wouldn’t even call it overwhelming. It’s that feeling that my family was waiting for me, my three kids came running in. It is emotionally overwhelming because I missed them so much,” Poppas said.
Maj. General Poppas also discussed the Screaming Eagles’ mission.
“The soldiers themselves, they can execute any mission. It’s a vital interest of the nation what we are doing there and they recognize why they’re there and why they’re fighting and they embrace the mission,” Poppas said.
Wednesday’s ceremony officially marked the return of the division’s colors alongside its command team, Maj. Gen. Poppas, and Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Sims, 101st Abn. Div. senior enlisted advisor.
