Cav units transition in Korea

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, stand in a formation during a transition of authority ceremony Oct. 24 on Camp Stanley, South Korea. Rotational forces enhance 2nd Infantry Division’s “fight tonight” readiness, and help to ensure the security and stability on the Korean Peninsula. (U.S. Army photo by Pak, Chin U., 2nd Infantry Division Public Affairs Office)  

CAMP STANLEY, GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], SOUTH KOREA

10.24.2014

Story by Sgt. Brandon Banzhaf 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

CAMP STANLEY, South Korea – After months of training on two separate continents, Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment stood side-by-side on the baseball field at Camp Stanley to mark a historic first. The two battalions carried out a transition of authority ceremony in commemoration of the successful completion of the first U.S. Combined Arms Battalion rotational deployment to Korea.

The 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, takes the reins of the rotational deployment in support of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division.

Following months of rigorous training at Fort Hood, Texas, Lt. Col. Elliot Rogers, the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment commander, said his unit is trained and ready to win on the Korean peninsula. He pointed out with pride that the actions of his Soldiers continue to illustrate the proud lineage of the countless 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment Soldiers who fought and died years ago on the peninsula during the Korean War.

“Uncasing the colors today in the Republic of Korea signifies that we are ready to protect the sacrifices of those that have gone before us,” said Rogers, a native of Raleigh, North Carolina. “Just as the 8th Cavalry Regiment did during the Korean War, we will defend the Republic of Korea until the last Soldier standing – because we are forged in tradition, maintained by honor and courage.”

Rotational forces enhance 2nd Infantry Division’s “fight tonight” readiness, and help to ensure the security and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Lt. Col. Arthur Sellers, the commander of the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, said his Soldiers looked “Cavtastic” on the field and that he is very proud of the job they have done throughout the deployment.

“Our mission was clear – to increase the combat readiness for the brigade, the division and the Eighth Army on the Korean Peninsula in order to support and strengthen our alliance with the Republic of Korea,” said Sellers. “I’m extremely proud to report that this mission was accomplished.”

Sellers thanked the many Soldiers, local community members and his Republic of Korea Army counterparts for their positive contributions to the Chargers' successful deployment.

“The leaders and Soldiers standing in front of you overcame numerous obstacles to set the standard in every facet of combat readiness,” said Sellers. “You responded like true professionals, and I thank you.”

For more high resolution photos, visit the 2nd Infantry Division Flickr page at https://www.flickr.com/photos/2id/sets/72157646610241464/.

• Date Taken: 10.24.2014
• Date Posted: 10.24.2014 17:33
• Story ID: 146029
• Location: CAMP STANLEY, GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], KR
• Hometown: RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA, US