Old Guard, Task Force Bravo [U.S. Army]

USCC - Combined Task Force - Horn of Africa ^ | 19 December 2003 | CPT Michael J. Trotter - BATTLE 6

[COBOL2Java]

Dear Bravo friends and family,
After months of preparation and hard work, the wheels finally went up at the airport. Team Battlehard soldiers are safe and sound in our area of responsibility and we are preparing ourselves to play an active part in the global war on terrorism. We are currently working on getting ourselves organized and unpacked in the basecamp and learning our way around the area. We are going to continue to train, and there are some elements of the team that will be heading out on missions very shortly. We are excited to be here and are looking forward to the future.

You should now put your minds at ease. Infrastructure here is manageable, and we are making sure that all soldier needs are taken care of. The staff agencies on the basecamp are very hospitable and have welcomed us with open arms. We are very quickly getting integrated into the joint team. Although we are part of a joint team, it is one team, one fight!

Although it is very tough being away from loved ones, especially over the holidays, we want to wish everyone, the friends and family of Team Battlehard, a very and safe holiday season. You are always in our thoughts.

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Soldiers en route to mission.

Photograph By: Spc. Eric Matthew McKeeby

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Bravo unloads after arriving at base in the early morning.

Photograph By: Spc. Eric Matthew McKeeby

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Soldiers set up their new homes.

Photograph By: Spc. Eric Matthew McKeeby

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Moving in to basecamp.

Photograph By: Spc. Eric Matthew McKeeby

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Setting up basecamp.

Photograph By: Spc. Eric Matthew McKeeby

[COBOL2Java]

This is where my Son-in-law has been deployed. The Old Guard has traditionally been stationed in and around the Washington DC area and did not deploy - their primary mission has been to guard the President and to bury the honored dead at Arlington Cemetery. However, this year the DoD re-classified them as Infantry and is now sending them overseas.

Please remember our men and women serving in the armed forces this Christmas.

[Bikers4Bush]

Bump.

[Uncle Jaque]

The first thing I associate the Old Guard with is their top - notch Fife - and - Drum Corps, being a fifer myself with a Civil-War Reenacting Unit.

Even those of us who do this sort of thing will go out of our way to see them in action!

That would be pretty interesting to see them high-stepping down the streets of Bagdhad in their Red Regimentals and tricornered hats, fifing and drumming away, wouldn't it?

Next thing you know, the Iraqi Police would have a Fife & Drum Corps, kind of like the Pakistani Pipe Bands.

Now that WOULD be interesting! {8^{)~

Come to think of it, teaching some of the talented Iraqi Musicians the ancient art of rudimental drumming might be a nifty form of international musical diplomacy, and they might really enjoy that sort of thing.

[leadpenny]

I thought that looked like an MDW patch on that thumbs-up soldier.

Tell me the US Army isn't stretched.

[COBOL2Java]

Not sure if my Son-in-law brought his Honor Guard dress blues with him - I kinda doubt it. ;-)

[COBOL2Java]

I thought that looked like an MDW patch on that thumbs-up soldier.

Sharp eyes! You saw correctly. This is the patch my Son-in-law has:

[leadpenny]

However, this year the DoD re-classified them as Infantry . . .

I thought they were always Infantry. Spent a tour at Davison AAF (MDW) more years ago than I'm willing to admit too.

I was mentioning this on another thread but I have a son who finished IN IOBC last month and at the last minute they pulled about half of them off the roster for Ranger School. He now has to wait until January for a class. I keep hearing indications that the Army is streatched a bit thin and the Old Guard deploying is another one.

[COBOL2Java]

...I thought they were always Infantry.

Technically true, however until this year they were not deployable. Is the Army stretched thin? You betcha...

[ExSoldier]

"I have a son who finished IN IOBC last month"

In September of 1980 I completed what the army said was the final "DUAL TRACK 18 week" IOBC class. Dual track meant that 2LT's with orders to Mechanized units worked with the M113 APC's and 2LT's with orders to light units humped a rucksack everywhere they went. Thank the Lord, I was mech! But then, years later, I did a branch transfer to armor after I graduated from the Armor Officer Advanced Course (AOAC), so there musta been good reason for my relief! How long was your son in IOBC? I understand it was shortened to something like 14 weeks.

[leadpenny]

His IOBC was 17 weeks I believe. He said IOAC is much shorter now - something like 3-4 months. I was in the last Armor Officer Advanced class (74-75) that was a year long.