“Hamilton’s Own” Mark Return by Uncasing Colors
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Fort Riley, Kan.- Lieutenant Col. Keith Casey and Command Sgt. Maj. Gabriel Espinosa, Jr., command team, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, uncase and unfurl their unit's colors during an uncasing ceremony at the Marshall Airfield, Feb. 3, 2012. (U.S. Army photo by SGT Kerry Lawson, 1st HBCT PAO)
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Story by: Sgt. Kerry Lawson
1ST HBCT PUBLIC AFFAIRS
FORT RILEY, Kan.– Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division uncased their colors during a ceremony held at Marshall Airfield, Feb. 3, 2012.
The battalion, also known as "Hamilton's Own," recently returned from a six-month deployment, from June to Dec. 2011, in support of Operation New Dawn. The 1st Bn., 5th FA, established on Jan. 6, 1776, is the oldest continuously serving active duty unit in the American military and was once commanded by Alexander Hamilton. This unit's proud history spans more than 236 years.
"The 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery, executed with perfection, the role of an Advise and Assist Task Force," said Lt. Col. Keith A. Casey, Hamilton's Own battalion commander. "Our Soldiers demonstrated their versatility and capability as well as validating the pre-deployment training thru supporting our partners of the Iraqi Security Forces in Kirkuk Province of Iraq."
Hamilton's Own covered an area of over 10,000 square miles working with the 12th Iraqi Army Division and the 1st Regional Guards Brigade. They also worked within the outer and inner districts of the Iraqi Police and the Emergency Services Unit of Kirkuk, 'sustaining strong relationships and creating an enduring capacity to provide security for a stable and sovereign Iraq' Casey stated.
The battalion's tasks included monitoring combined checkpoints, training the cadre of the Manila Training Center, and conducting security patrols for Contingency Operating Site Warrior throughout the streets of Kirkuk. The biggest part of their mission consisted of them being the final representatives of the 'Devil Brigade' and the 1st Infantry Division as U.S. Forces transitioned out of Iraq.
"The Soldiers and their Iraqi counterparts worked together as partners and as equals," said Capt. Michael Findlay, operations officer, 1st Bn., 5th FA.
He continued stating the battalion also conducted force protection at COS Warrior, as well as quick reaction force for the Kirkuk province.
With their colors now raised in the center of their formation, Casey concluding the ceremony, expressing with great pride in his Soldiers and the accomplishment of their mission, "No Mission too Difficult, No Sacrifice too Great! Devils, Hamilton's Own, Duty First!"
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