Nearly 200 soldiers of Fort Campbell departed Wednesday, as part of a regular rotation of forces to the European theater.
The “Strike” Soldiers of 2nd Mobile Brigade Combat Team (2MBCT), 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), will replace the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, as support continues for the United States’ commitment to NATO Allies and partners.
Officials noted that flights will continue through March, as the full Mobile Brigade Combat Team deploys to support U.S. Army Europe and Africa, as well as U.S. Army V Corps, for a wide range of U.S. and international training events alongside allied partners.
This tiered exercise program builds readiness, enhances interoperability and strengthens relationships by providing a joint, multinational environment to prepare Allies and partners to train as they fight.
Col. James Stultz, combat team commander, said the rotation marks an important moment in “Strike” history, as “incredible bonds” continue to be built with European brothers and sisters in arms, while all continue to “increase combined readiness.”
Under the Army’s Transformation in Contact initiative, Stultz said they are returning as a more mobile, more lethal, more resilient force, and that they look forward to applying that to training events alongside NATO forces.
Soldiers will be stationed in Germany, Romania, Poland, and elsewhere.
Also Wednesday, the combat team conducted a change of command and colors casing ceremony.
A time-honored military tradition, the casing ceremony serves as a visual representation of the unit’s readiness, and marks the moment when the unit’s colors are temporarily removed from home station until their return.
Meanwhile, the change of command shifted from Stultz to Col. Duke Reim, who will join soldiers departing for Europe in the coming days.
