Friday, March 5, 2021 –
FOR RELEASE: Friday, March 5, 2021
CONTACT:
Regarding the unit: CONG Public Affairs Office, 720-250-1053, ng.co.coarng.list.militarysupport@mail.mil
CENTENNIAL, Colo. – The Colorado National Guard will host a departure ceremony for approximately 130 Colorado Army National Guard Soldiers from Company B “Battle” 1st Battalion 157th Infantry Regiment (Mountain) March. 6, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at Southeast Christian Church, 9650 Jordan Rd. Parker, CO 80134.
Battle Company will deploy for approximately one year to the Horn of Africa, in support of Task Force Iron Gray.
“Battle Company is honored to continue the legacy of the Colorado Infantry which has not deployed since World War II,” U.S. Army Capt. Stephen Buehler, company commander said. “We are excited to take part in this mission and work alongside our brothers and sisters from Connecticut.”
The unit is aligned with the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and will join with the CT Army National Guard to support combatant commanders with security forces in the U.S. Africa Command area of operations.
“These Soldiers, like many of their predecessors, have volunteered to leave Colorado and serve our federal mission, defending freedom.” The Adjutant General of Colorado U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Laura Clellan said. “Thank you to their families, thank you to their employers, and thank you to our communities who have shown unwavering support for these warriors and all others serving state response, homeland defense, and overseas missions.”
2021 is the first year any 1-157 unit has deployed since World War II when then U.S. Army Lt. Col. Felix Sparks led the 157th to help liberate the infamous Dachau concentration camp in Germany.
Company A, 1st Battalion 157th Infantry Regiment (MTN) mobilized earlier this year to support U.S. Central Command.
In May of 1949, Colorado’s 157th Infantry Regiment was re-designated the 157th Regimental Combat team and nearly a decade later, on Feb. 1, 1959, re-organized into 1st Battalion 157th Field Artillery. Today, the 3rd Battalion 157th Field Artillery still holds the official lineage and honors of the historic Colorado infantry.
For 51 years, seven months and 24 days, the COARNG did not have an infantry unit. The 1-157th Infantry officially returned to the COARNG Sept. 25, 2010.
Due to COVID-19 mitigation procedures, attending the ceremony is by invitation only.