Old Guard prepares to leave Horn of Africa

The Army’s oldest active infantry unit prepared to depart here this week, marking the beginning of the end for the unit’s first deployment since the Vietnam War.

By week’s end, a large group of soldiers from Bravo Company, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” will exit the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa Wednesday for Fort Myer, Va. The unit has spent more than seven months involved in tactical missions in the region.

The Old Guard arrived at CJTF-HOA in December, the first time part of the Old Guard had deployed in three decades. Arrival in Djibouti came after several months of intense combat rehearsals at Fort A. P. Hill, Va., and Fort Polk, La.

Almost immediately after their arrival here, the Old Guard became involved in multiple and various tactical missions supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the Global War on Terrorism. By Christmas Day, soldiers were dispersed throughout disparate corners of Djibouti, providing force protection for projects ranging from the construction of drinking wells to the creation of roads.

In a goodbye message to friends and family and the unit, Army Capt. Michael J. Trotter, Bravo Company commander, verbalized appreciation for the unit’s contribution to a “life-changing experience.”

“The U.S. Army and the world is a better and safer place because of your tireless efforts. You have represented yourself, The Old Guard, and the US Army extremely well, and I am proud to be your commander,” Trotter said.

In January the unit built Camp United, a temporary training facility in Hurso, Ethiopia. The facility, which was built on a fenced-in patch of dirt, now has working plumbing, electrical systems and fortified tents.

The successes of the Old Guard’s duties were spread out over the months of their deployment and brought the unit to nations throughout the region and on missions launched by air and sea.

For several months the unit has been a part of Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel missions, which are airborne combat rescue missions launched in conjunction with Marine flight units.

Part of Bravo Company boarded the USS Wasp in April, spending two months aboard the World War II-sized aircraft carrier engaged in tactical missions and training.

In various locations in rural Djibouti, the unit engaged in a number of missions, including force protection, training with the Djiboutian military and assisting in an April flood recovery efforts.

Although, Djibouti was the hub for the Old Guard’s missions, elements of the company traveled throughout the region, working in other nations, including Ethiopia and Kenya.

When Bravo Company returns home, it will rejoin the rest of the Old Guard, an infantry unit acting as a tactical presence in Washington, D.C., that performs official Army ceremonies.

Among the Old Guard’s regular duties are guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery and performing state funerals, such as the recent funeral of President Ronald Reagan.

Bravo Company is replaced in its duties here by A Company, 1/294th of the Guam National Guard, which arrived here at the end of June. Bravo Company began handing off tasks to A Company this week.

My Son-in-law's in this group.

Thank him for his service from me, please.

having said that, I have a question- I don't mean to step on toes or be rude.. but when I was in, we thought the Old Guard was strictly a "dog and pony" show outfit- very good at what they did, but not fighters.

After I got out, I talked to a guy who said that to the contrary, they spend a lot of time training for the light infantry role, and are very good at it.

Can you shed some light on this?

regardless, they wear the unifrom, and work very hard at what they do.

Be glad to oblige! Yes, the 3rd US Infantry Regiment aka "The Old Guard" is sometimes dismissed by other elements in the Army as a ceremonial unit. Their primary mission is to protect Washington DC - hence their proximity to the Nation's Capital. In addition, they are tasked with the care and management of Arlington Cemetery, and preside over the burials there. It is the highest honor to ensure that our bravest soldiers receive a burial service with the utmost dignity. You may have seen footage of Ronald Reagan's memorial service in Washington DC. That whole ceremony was managed by the Old Guard. The caisson, the horses, are all housed at Ft. Myer.

My Son-in-law is also a member of the Honor Guard, and in this capacity he has participated in countless services at Arlington Cemetery. Again, when I watched Reagan's ceremony I was reminded of him.

It is because of this that The Old Guard sometimes, undeservedly so, has the reputation of being nothing more than a "dog and pony show". However, another function they serve is to participate in war games against the most elite fighting units - The Old Guard plays the part of "the enemy" and in this capacity they help our soldiers hone their skills and expose their weaknesses.

I know my Son-in-law was eager to go on this mission to the Horn of Africa, to help dismiss the "rep", and they have done a magnificent job. He was stationed at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti, which if you look on a map is right at the entrance to the Red Sea. They worked with the Navy in intercepting ships carrying illegal material which had the potential to get into the hands of terrorists. When not in camp, they sailed on ships - and in this capacity he managed to graduate from a pollywog to a shellback!

We're all extremely proud of him, as you can imagine. However, our time with him will be short. The end of August he is going down to Ft. Benning for three weeks of Airborne training, and will PCS with my daughter to Vincenza Italy, where he will deploy to Iraq.

Pray for our troops!

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.