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
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.
TASK FORCE IRON GRAY - Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA)
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!
MOUNTAIN TRAINING IN THE HORN OF AFRICA
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!
TASK FORCE AVALANCHE - Operation Spartan Shield - Southwest Asia
MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
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.
Brigade (FWD) Soldier Spotlights
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.