Denali Soldiers deploy for peace and support operations

by Sgt. Brian K. Ragin Jr.
4/25th IBCT Public Affairs

9/26/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Approximately 350 Spartans from the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, are scheduled to deploy to Kosovo on a nine-month-long rotation to conduct peace and support operations as part of Kosovo Force, Multinational Battle Group-East. The unit honored its paratroopers in a deployment ceremony at Buckner Physical Fitness Center Sept, 19.

A small contingent of paratroopers assigned to the brigade's headquarters company and several hundred paratroopers assigned to the 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment will support ongoing peacekeeping operations in Kosovo as part of the NATO-led Kosovo Force.

The 1-40th Cavalry's most recent deployment was to Afghanistan's Khost Province, where the unit partnered with Afghanistan Security Forces until its redeployment in October 2012. Today, the 1-40th Cavalry, nicknamed the Denali Squadron, stands ready to deploy to the European Command area of Operations in support of KFOR19 to ensure a safe and secure environment for the people of Kosovo.

While operating as a part of the battle group, Spartan paratroopers will work daily alongside military service personnel from not only Kosovo, but from several partner nations as well, including Romania, Armenia, Moldova and Kazakhstan.

"I am kind of anxious; a little nervous leaving the family, especially here in Alaska," said Army Staff Sgt Gerald Neal, an Intelligence Analyst for the 1/40th Cavalry, who is beginning his first deployment. "The winter is coming up, and it is kind of harsh."

The main body deploys late this month and will travel to Germany for a month-long training exercise before beginning the rotation. The unit is scheduled to return in late summer 2015.

The peace-keeping mission is new for the Spartan Brigade, as its deployments have largely been combat operations in support of overseas contingency operations.

"Just for the safety factor, I am glad it is not a combat deployment," Neal said. " But, because it is not a combat tour, it might move slower, but we will see."

As it conducts the Kosovo Force mission, the multi-faceted Spartan Brigade will continue to hold its responsibilities as a U.S. Army Pacific Command rapid contingency response force.