Former ‘Devil’ brigade commander visits 1st ABCT during Korea deployment

Photo By Maj. Jonathan Camire | CAMP HOVEY, South Korea – Col. Timothy Hayden, the commander of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, presents retired Col. Bart Howard, the former commander of 1st ABCT, a brigade hat following Howard’s visit with the brigade Feb. 22. Howard’s visit with the brigade brought him from Camp Hovey to the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, South Korea to visit with multiple leaders from throughout the brigade. (Photo by Capt. Jonathan Camire, 1st ABCT Public Affairs)  

CAMP CASEY, SOUTH KOREA

03.01.2017

Story by Capt. Jonathan Camire 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

CAMP HOVEY, South Korea – For the first time in its nearly 100-year history, the 1st Infantry Division’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team deployed to the Republic of Korea to support the 2nd Infantry Division / ROK-US Combined Division’s commitment to security on the Korean peninsula. Their deployment recently gave the brigade’s former commander the unique opportunity to visit his old unit.
Retired Col. Bart Howard, who commanded the “Devil” brigade from 2004 to 2006, now lives in South Korea where his proximity to his old unit gave him the opportunity to visit the “Devil” brigade.
“I was fortunate to be able to meet many of the senior leaders of the brigade from Devil 6 and 7 (the unit’s commander and senior enlisted leader), battalion commanders and a number of company commanders in the field,” Howard said. “It was inspiring to see that the brigade is in the hands of such motivated and dedicated warriors.”
During his visit, Howard met with 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon, South Korea during the battalion’s M2 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle gunnery training.
“I served in (1st Bn., 72nd Armor Rgmt.) from 1988 to 1989 and took a quick trip to see my old battalion headquarters,” Howard said of his visit on Camp Casey.. “It is just a Quonset hut, but it was still there and brought back a lot of memories of comradeship and the experience of serving in the 2nd Infantry Division.”
Later in the day, Howard had dinner with all seven of the brigade’s battalion commanders.
“It was an honor to be able to spend some time with this great unit,” Howard said. “The ‘Devil’ brigade is unique because of its long heritage and exceptional professionalism. I felt right back at home with a unit I am proud to have been a member.”
The 1st ABCT is currently deployed to South Korea as a rotational force to support the 2nd Inf. Div. in deterring North Korean aggression and, if necessary, “Fight Tonight” in support of their South Korean allies.
“They have an extremely demanding mission, but they are handling it very well,” Howard said. “I feel very comfortable that the ‘Devil’ brigade is playing a pivotal role in security on the peninsula.”
Before heading back home, Howard sat down with the leaders of the brigade for the bi-weekly “Devil Talks,” where leaders within the brigade voice their thoughts on topics of their choice followed by open discussion with the audience.
“I thought it was great,” Howard said of “Devil Talks.” “It takes inspired leadership to be open to new perspectives and fresh ideas. Dialogue and listening were key phrases of the night. It gave me confidence that the next generation of Soldiers are engaged and motivated.”
Howard left his visit with the brigade reassured that the 1st ABCT is in good hands.
“We lived the motto ‘Fight Tonight’ and I can see it still holds valid today with the ‘Devil’ brigade,” Howard said.

• Date Taken: 03.01.2017
• Date Posted: 03.05.2017 06:38
• Story ID: 225701
• Location: CAMP CASEY, KR