News>3,500 Soldiers of 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, deploy for year in Afghanistan
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Army Lt. Col. John Hinson, 725th Brigade Support Battalion, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Morrison case their unit colors at the deployment ceremony for the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage Tuesday. (U.S. Army photo/Staff Sgt. Matthew Winstead)
Soldiers of the 9th Army Band perform during the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division deployment ceremony at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2011. The 4-25 ABCT "Spartan Brigade" will deploy 3,500 Soldiers on a series of flights in November and December en route to Afghanistan. The 9th Army Band is assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division participate on their deployment ceremony at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2011. The 4-25 ABCT "Spartan Brigade" will deploy 3,500 Soldiers on a series of flights in November and December en route to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
Soldiers from 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division participate on their deployment ceremony at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2011. The 4-25 ABCT "Spartan Brigade" will deploy 3,500 Soldiers on a series of flights in November and December en route to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Sheila deVera)
Soldiers of the 9th Army Band from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, perform during the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division's deployment ceremony at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2011. The 4-25th ABCT, "Spartan Brigade," will deploy 3,500 Soldiers on a series of flights in November and December en route to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf)
Soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division stand at parade rest during the deployment ceremony at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2011. The 4-25th ABCT, "Spartan Brigade," will deploy 3,500 Soldiers on a series of flights in November and December en route to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf)
Soldiers of the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, salute during the national anthem at the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division's deployment ceremony at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2011. The 4-25th ABCT, "Spartan Brigade," will deploy 3,500 Soldiers on a series of flights in November and December en route to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf)
Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Gardner, 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, salutes during the playing of the national anthem during the 4-25th ABCT's deployment ceremony at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2011. The 4-25th ABCT, "Spartan Brigade," will deploy 3,500 Soldiers on a series of flights in November and December en route to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf)
Alaska Governor Sean R. Parnell speaks to Soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division during a deployment ceremony at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska, Nov. 29, 2011. The 4-25th ABCT, "Spartan Brigade," will deploy 3,500 Soldiers on a series of flights in November and December en route to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf)
Senator Lisa Murkowski speaks to Soldiers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division during a deployment ceremony at Sullivan Arena, Anchorage, Alaska Nov. 29, 2011. The 4-25th ABCT, "Spartan Brigade," will deploy 3,500 Soldiers on a series of flights in November and December en route to Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Zachary Wolf)
by Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Winstead
U.S. Army Alaska Public Affairs
12/1/2011 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Friends, family and Alaska community leaders gathered at Sullivan Arena Tuesday as paratroopers of the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, formally marked the departure for the unit's latest combat mission to Afghanistan.
About 3,500 airborne-qualified Soldiers from the six battalions of the 4-25th are scheduled to leave over the next few weeks for the 12-month deployment.
Among the dignitaries on hand to wish the brigade a safe departure, mission and return were Gov. Sean Parnell, U.S. Army Alaska Commanding General Maj. Gen. Raymond Palumbo and U.S. senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski.
In his remarks, Palumbo noted the high level of dedication from the entire Army since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Palumbo said the paratroopers of the 4-25 embody that commitment.
"(The) enemy no longer enjoys Afghanistan as a safe haven," Palumbo said. "4-2-5 (ABCT) is trained and ready to go."
Palumbo also spoke to the readiness and resilience of the family members remaining behind.
"We are aware of your sacrifices," Palumbo said. "We are aware of the sacrifices of your families. I'm often heard saying, 'Our mission at USARAK is to get the troops ready to deploy and their families ready to stay,' Well, 4-25 is trained and ready to go and their families - thanks to the support of the outside (community of Alaska) - is ready to endure and persevere."
As civilian leaders stepped up to speak, each commented on the professionalism and selflessness of 4-25th Soldiers.
"The members of the 4-25th have played a significant role in our national defense," Begich said.
"While you are gone we know that is our job to stand up for you and your families just as you have stood up for us. I commit to you today, that I will always make the needed decisions to ensure your units have the operational security they need to complete their missions and to ensure the welfare of your families."
Murkowski described the deploying members of the unit as members of the Alaskan family and expressed her wishes to be there on a personal level.
"We could have either been in (Washington) D.C. talking about you today, or we could have been here with you in person. Either way, Alaskan values dictate that you drop everything when members of your family need you," Murkowski said. "The Alaska community is there for you. You are a cut above the rest, consummate professionals and truly modern day embodiment of the ancient warriors of Sparta. And to your family members back home, if you are ever at a loss of what to do and you just feel overwhelmed, call me. Call Lisa, we are here for you."
Commander of the 4-25th, Col. Morris Goins, addressed the formation and audience.
He welcomed them, thanked them for their support and spoke about the training and dedication of the men and women under his command.
After some words to the families praising them for their support and sacrifices during the past year of preparation for deployment Goins turned to face his unit and asked them a simple yet highly symbolic question.
"Spartans, what is your profession?" Goins asked.
Just as in the movie from which the question was quoted ("300," a 2007 fictionalized retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae), the paratroopers' thunderous response left no room for doubt.
