THE BATTLE AXE REFORGED: RAIDERS UNCASE COLORS

THE BATTLE AXE REFORGED: RAIDERS UNCASE COLORS

Reported By RET B.Lambert August 14, 2021

Photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Guerrero

Col. Trent Upton, commander of 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. James Kelly, senior enlisted leader of Raider Brigade, uncase the Brigade’s colors during a ceremony, Aug. 3 on Fort Stewart.

The Battle Axe reforged: Raiders uncase colors

Soldiers assigned to 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, uncased their colors Aug. 3 on Fort Stewart.

The ceremony was held to mark the official redeployment of the brigade—known as the Battle Axe of 3rd ID—after a nine-month rotation to the Republic of Korea. The Raider Brigade deployed in October 2020 as one of the Army’s first units to conduct large-scale training operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Col. Trent Upton, commander of the Raider Brigade, led the ceremony.

“From both World Wars, to Korea, to the Global War on Terrorism, we stand on the shoulders of giants,” Upton said. “A history and lineage of courage, selflessness, and honor that we have upheld on our most recent mission, and to which we have added yet another chapter.”

The deployment itself marked a historic return of 3rd ID Soldiers to the Republic of Korea for only the second time since the end of the Korean War.

During the deployment, Raider Soldiers worked alongside their Korean allies conducting multi-echelon training events, sharing each other’s cultures, and strengthening the U.S.-Korean alliance.

“As the first BCT in the Army to complete its train up, deploy, and operate in a COVID-19 environment, Raider outpaced others, setting multiple rotational readiness records,” Upton said.

Upton said that the success of the Raider Brigade’s was shouldered by the Soldiers within its ranks and lauded the efforts of every individual in the organization. He also recognized that the Soldiers would not have been successful had it not been for the support of their families and friends.

“You all helped prevent regional aggression, maintained exceptional readiness and worked together with our ROK Army partners for the prosperity of the region,” Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, commanding general of 3rd ID said.

Costanza went on to thank the Raider Soldiers for their hard work during their deployment and welcomed them home.

As the Raiders continue to reintegrate and get back to life at home, they will continue to stay ready to answer their Nation’s call.

“We are Raiders first for a reason,” Upton said. “We are the Battle Axe of 3rd ID.”