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ALPINE SUMMIT DEPLOYMENT UPDATE - 86TH IBCT (MTN)

Happy New Year from the 86th IBCT.

As we close out 2021 far from home, I want to first thank our Soldiers’ friends and families for their support during a year mostly spent apart. The holidays are especially difficult when apart from loved ones. Like all good teams the Soldiers of Task Force Alpine and Task Force Valkyrie relied on each other and the American Spirit to make the best of it.

2021 brought unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for our Soldiers. We were able to partner and build relationships with NATO allies from around the globe. These partnerships are fostered at the individual Soldier level and in today’s modern battlefield are key to America’s strategy to preserve freedom and peace.

To this day, our Soldiers continue to operate in a complex geopolitical environment actively influenced by our adversaries. In this corner of the world, they are all Diplomat-Soldiers representing the best of us. I want to thank you for preparing them so well. The lessons they are bringing back will serve our formations well into the future.

Looking forward to 2022, we remain vigilant and focused on our mission. We are intent to see the mission through completion and the transfer of authority to our successors here in Kosovo. While we will transition home, the people of this volatile region will continue to rely on American leadership to preserve peace.

Here’s to a safe, peaceful, and healthy 2022.

LTC Sean T. Cattanach

Commander, Task Force Valkyrie

86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (MTN)

1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment - Operation Inherent Resolve - USCENTCOM

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment

1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment started December with Soldiers celebrating the patron saint of the Artillery Soldier, Saint Barbara's Day and later in the month completed the Manchu Mile Challenge at their CENTCOM locations. They continue to be thankful for the Army family they're are deployed with, and continue missing our loved ones back home while we serve our country overseas.

Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment (Mountain) compete in the "Manchu Mile" at their CENTCOM deployment location. Hosted by soldiers of the 9th Infantry Regiment semi-annually to commemorate the 85-mile march through China during the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. The finishers received the prize of the Manchu brass belt buckle authorized for wear to signify their strength, endurance, and camaraderie.
On Dec. 4, 2021, St. Barbara’s Day, the soldiers of Bravo Battery, 1-101st Field Artillery and fellow "Redlegs" from both the 4th Infantry Division and field service, gathered to hold a “feast" and toast to their patron saint. May St. Barbara continue to keep our artillerymen and women safe overseas, and for “Blast of the beauty of sudden death, St. Barbara of the batteries!”

TASK FORCE IRON GRAY - Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA)

Task Force Iron Gray Soldiers along with multinational partners in the Horn of Africa - Follow us on Facebook @TaskForceIronGray

As Task Force Iron Gray edges closer to returning home they want to wish everyone back home a Happy Holidays! Hand-over, Turn-over is their 50 meter target at the moment and soon they'll be returning to their family and loved ones back home!

U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to Charlie Troop, 1-172nd Cavalry (Mountain), Task Force Iron Gray, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), work alongside French Soldiers assigned to the 5th Overseas Interarms Regiment (5e RIAOM), during a joint sniper training at the Djibouti Range Complex, Nov. 27, 2021. CJTF-HOA, operating from Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, regularly trains with and works alongside allied and partner nations, coalition forces and interagency/intergovernmental organizations to achieve a unified effort in East Africa. (U.S. Army Photos by Staff Sgt. Amanda Stock)
U.S. Army Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company and D Company, both 1-102nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain), Task Force Iron Gray, Combined Joint Task Force – Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), conduct a weapons familiarization exchange with Orion Detachment Spanish service members deployed as part of the European Union Naval Force Somalia (EUNAVFOR Somalia), at the Djibouti Range Complex, Nov. 20, 2021. The range day included firing drills with the P-90 submachine gun, M-4 carbine, M-17 pistol, Heckler and Koch USP (universal self-loading pistol), Heckler and Koch HK G36 carbine and using the common remotely operated weapons station (CROWS) mounted atop an armored vehicle. CJTF-HOA regularly participates in combined training opportunities to build cohesive bonds with partner forces. (U.S. Air Force photos by Senior Airman Andrew Kobialka)

MOUNTAIN TRAINING IN THE HORN OF AFRICA

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Whitney Hughes, National Guard Bureau)

If you missed the NGB article about Task Force Iron Gray Soldiers along with the Army Mountain Warfare School Instructors, feel free to go to the following link: https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Overseas-operations/Article/2885279/national-guard-soldiers-provide-security-partnerships-in-horn-of-africa/

While in the midst of the holiday season, Task Force Iron Gray Soldiers look forward to returning home but are soaking up all the opportunities with the time they have left. Stand Forth, Iron Grays!

3rd Battalion 172nd Infantry (Mountain)

TASK FORCE AVALANCHE - Operation Spartan Shield - Southwest Asia

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

KFOR29 logo

KFOR29 - Regional Command - East -Operation Joint Guardian - Kosovo

Regional Command - East conducted an air insertion training exercise with some of our Multinational Partners from Latvia and Slovenia and in coordination with Task Force Valkyrie. The exercise slated as Operation ALPINE SWARM tested the Brigade Staff and Maneuver Battalion's capability to plan and execute a mission to kinetically enforce a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement. This training is important not only for a potential situation in Kosovo but also anywhere in the world. Other keys events over the last month included a visit by our Task Force Medical to a local veterinary clinic, participation in the DANCON Challenge, as well as a monthly prayer luncheon.

Soldiers from Regional Command – East conduct Operations Alpine Swarm, an air insertion training exercise in the vicinity of Babaj Boks Training Area and Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, December 21, 2021.
(U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Gloria Kamencik and Capt. Jace Rivard)
U.S. and multinational Soldiers with KFOR 29 Regional Command - East participated in the DANCON Challenge at Camp Novo Selo, Kosovo, December 29, 2021. The 15 mile challenge requires Soldiers to carry a minimum of 22 pounds in their ruck. The Danish military started the challenge in 1972 and is hosted in Kosovo by their KFOR Contingent with proceeds going to injured Danish Veterans. (U.S. Army photos by Staff Sgt. Barb Pendl)
Members of the KFOR RC-E Veterinary Team and Civil-Military Cooperation meet with Dr. Labinto Osmani at the Mitro Veterinary Clinic in Mitrovica, Kosovo. Dr. Labinto Osmani speaks to the teams about the clinics current needs and capabilities so he can continue his mission to provide medical care and adoption for strays in the local area. A large part of the RC-E mission is to assist Institutions in Kosovo with building capacity. (U.S. Army photos by Sgt. Gloria Kamencik)
Maj. Eric Stuepfert, Regional Command - East Chaplain, welcomed Abbot Ilarion, Archimandrite of the Draganac Monastery. All Soldiers from RC-East were invited to attend to attend the monthly prayer luncheon organized by the RC-E Religious Support Team. Demonstrating religious freedom is a key tenet for RC-E in efforts to make Kosovo holistically a safe and secure environment. (U.S. Army photos by Capt. Mike Arcovitch)

Brigade (FWD) Soldier Spotlights

(Top left to right) SPC Max Keeley from B/1-157th COARNG deployed with TF IRON GRAY, SSG Dacyn Channell from HHC/86th IBCT VTARNG deployed with TF ALPINE. (Bottom left to right) SGT Locke from C/1-101st FA MAARNG deployed with TF WARLORD, SPC Joshue Miranda-Torres from D/1-102nd IN CTARNG deployed with TF IRON GRAY

To view all the photos and videos coming out of Kosovo please visit our DVIDS page here: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/KFOR29. You can also follow us on social media on Facebook @KFORRCEast and Instagram @KFOR.RCE.