FORT CAMPBELL, KY. – The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) headquarters held a Color Casing Ceremony Thursday, February 25 to officially mark the division headquarters’ deployment of approximately 500 Soldiers to Iraq and Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Major General Gary Volesky, Commander of the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell cased the colors along with the division’s Command Sergeant Major, Gregory Nowak. The casing of the 101st colors symbolizes the division’s departure from Fort Campbell.
General Volesky talked about the 101st mission in Iraq. “We’ll train, advise, assist and provide critical capabilities to the Iraqi Security Forces and support them in defeating the Islamic State in Iraq,” said Volesky. During the nine-month deployment the 101st will take command and control of 4,000 coalition troops
Lieutenant General Stephen Townsend, Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, spoke at the ceremony and also talked about the 101st mission. “Our nation has called on them once more to face a growing threat in the east,” said Townsend.
Townsend added, “Screaming Eagles, I’m not going to sugar coat it. The mission you’ve been given is extremely challenging. I think probably one of the most difficult our Army has faced since 2001,” Townsend said.
Around 1,300 Soldiers with the 2nd Brigade Combat Team are also scheduled to deploy later this spring in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The Soldiers with the “Strike” brigade will also advise and assist Iraqi Security Forces.