Fort Campbell, Kentucky – Soldiers with the 502 Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) cased their colors Wednesday, April 27 as they prepare to deploy to Iraq and Kuwait for Operation Inherent Resolve.
Around 1,400 “Strike” soldiers are deploying for nine-months. The casing of the colors ceremony is an Army tradition which officially furls a unit’s colors before a deployment. The colors will be uncased once the unit arrives in Iraq.
Acting Senior Commander of the 101st, Brigadier General Scott Brower talked about the soldiers who are deploying. “Once again we are ready to send our Screaming Eagles into harm’s way. They mark our continued legacy of defending our nation, our allies, and our way of life,” said Brower.
Brower added the fight the soldiers were heading into was a very complex one. Instead of leading the fight against our enemies and the enemies of Iraq, we are supporting the Iraqi’s and letting them lead the charge to liberate and protect their citizens while we advise, assist and enable them to do that.
Commander of the 2nd Brigade, Colonel Brett Sylvia, thanked the soldier’s families for their support. “The strength of our soldiers truly is our families. Your sacrifices and commitment sustain this great brigade combat team each and every day,” said Sylvia.
Approximately 500 soldiers with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) headquarters left Fort Campbell earlier this year for a nine-month deployment to Iraq and Kuwait as part of Operation Inherent Resolve.