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FORWARD OPERATING BASE LIGHTNING, Afghanistan – The Spartans of
3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division have once again come into the
mountains of Afghanistan, bringing with them their hard-earned
reputation forged through three previous Operation Enduring Freedom
combat tours dating back to 2007.
Their mission is to advise
the country's national security forces during a pivotal time of
transition as NATO continues to withdraw its forces from the country
and the 2014 Afghan elections loom on the horizon.
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Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 71st Calvary Regiment of 3rd
Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division move to secure the
helicopter landing zone on Forward Operating Base Orgun-E in Paktika
province Dec. 26, 2013 after the completion of a security meeting with
Afghan security forces. Forward Operating Base Orgun-E was
transferred to Afghan security forces within the last six months.
(U.S. Army photo by Capt. John Landry, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division Public Affairs)
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While these tasks do present conflicting challenges, the
Spartans are comfortable with such difficult missions.
“This is an incredibly tough fight, but I can't think of
any unit who's better prepared to handle a very complex
problem,” said Col. Sam Whitehurst, the Spartan Brigade
commander.
Like their Afghan national security
forces counterparts, the Spartan brigade was born in this
last decade of war and has forever since been linked to the
history of OEF with deployments in 2007, 2009, 2011 and now
2014 across Regional Commands East and South.
The
Spartans are continuously chosen for the most challenging
areas because they have proven consistency and resolve
against the enemies of Afghanistan. Spartan soldiers each
carry a set of values of discipline, leadership,
perseverance, trust and fitness that were born in war and
fostered through their leaders.
Spartan soldiers
“always expect the unexpected and continually live on
amber,” added Whitehurst, which is a term used to describe
always being prepared.
“It's a philosophy, a way of
living” and two months into this deployment in support of
OEF XIV they continue to prove the brigade's reputation as
it has taken the ground previously held by three full
brigade combat teams with the extra task of advising the
multitude of Afghan national security forces in more of an
over-the-shoulder fashion.
The Spartan philosophy is
one shared by all who come in contact with this storied
brigade, friend and foe alike. Those who previously fought
directly against the likes of 3rd Brigade's Titans of 3rd
Battalion, 71st Calvary Regiment and Medal of Honor winner
Sgt. 1st Class Jared Monti have learned the hard way.
The brigade has spent over a year preparing for this
advisory mission and their partnered Afghan security forces
have already begun demonstrating a philosophy very similar
to the Spartan's as they continue to demonstrate their
ability to take the lead in securing their people.
As
the Afghan forces steadily climb to the summit and take
control, the Spartans of 10th Mountain Division edge ever
closer to reaching the base and its final chapter. It is
only fitting this brigade, forged in this war, was the one
chosen the help see it through in its final stages.
As the war in Afghanistan comes to an end, so will the
Spartan brigade as it was selected for inactivation by the
Department of the Army this past fall, marking this the
final deployment for one of the most storied units of our
times.
“We're all very humbled to have the
opportunity to serve in this brigade,” stated Whitehurst.
By U.S. Army Capt. John Landry
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2014
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