Photo By Sgt. Rebekah Lampman | Maj. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, accompanied by Col....... read more read more
The 1st Cavalry Division, which was originally formed here in 1921, has now returned to Fort Bliss by activating its 4th Brigade Combat Team in a ceremony Tuesday at Noel Field.
The 4th BCT, one of several new units of action throughout the Army, became the first brigade combat team to stand up at Fort Bliss.
The BCT is part of the total Army transformation process, which will replace the current structure of the fighting force. The purpose of the transformation is to create smaller, more lethal and rapidly deployable teams that live, work and train together year-round.
The 4th BCT is a heavy maneuver brigade which consists of three cavalry regiments, a field artillery battalion and two support units. The support units contain a military intelligence company, a signal company, military police officers, medics, a headquarters company and nearly every asset needed to successfully fight and win wars.
Maj. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, headquartered at Fort Hood, Texas, presided over the activation ceremony.
"It's an honor for me to be standing here today at Fort Bliss, Texas, taking part in this historic ceremony which officially designates the First Team's return to this great installation and community," Chiarelli said. "Pride, esprit de corps and camaraderie comes from our strong ties to our past glories, the lofty standards built by cavalry troopers who have come before us on far away battlefields in years gone by."
During the ceremony, the unit colors were passed to Col. Stephen Twitty, who assumed command of the 4th BCT, also known as the Longknife Brigade.
"To the Soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, we will face many challenges ahead: completing the stand-up of the brigade combat team; fielding the finest equipment in the world; and standing by if called upon to fight and win our nation's wars," said Twitty. "My right-hand-man, Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Frennier, and I pledge our 100 percent commitment, loyalty and leadership to this combat team. We are honored to be a part of your ranks."
In addition to the brigade colors, each of the battalion colors were unfurled and passed to their respective commanders.
With sabers raised high and pistols blazing, the ceremony concluded with the 1st Cav. Div. Horse Detachment performing a traditional cavalry charge across the very field that was named in 1928 after famed 1st Cavalry Division Polo player Lt. Paul A. Noel. The cavalry had come home!
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 06.01.2006 10:19 |
| Story ID: | 6622 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 114 |
| Downloads: | 31 |
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