BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan (01/16/17) — The 204th Engineer Detachment command team of Maj. Eric M. Holtzapple and Sgt. Maj. Kenneth S. White cased the unit colors during a Jan. 16 ceremony as they prepared their unit to redeploy to Ohio after a nine-month tour.
Col. Christopher H. Colavita, commander of the 1st Cavalry Division Resolute Support Sustainment Brigade, said the 204th Engineer Detachment (Construction Management Team) has made a lasting impression and been invaluable to the Redeployment, Retrograde, Redistribution, Recovery and Disposal (R4D) Mission in Afghanistan.
The Soldiers of the 204th served under the command of the 1st Cavalry Division during the deployment and are authorized to wear the 1st Cav’s shoulder sleeve insignia — a triangular shield with rounded corners and a black horse’s head in the upper right-hand corner — one of the most recognizable patches in the Army.
“We look forward to returning to Ohio wearing our 1st Cavalry Division patch, as it symbolizes that we were a part of the most historic and professional division in the United States military,” Holtzapple said. “I am forever thankful that you included us as part of the ‘First Team.’”
The casing of the colors is a traditional ceremony that takes place when a unit ceases operations in a certain location. The unit colors will then be uncased wherever that unit resumes its duties. The 204th’s home station is Defense Supply Center Columbus in Columbus, Ohio.
With only eight soldiers, the 204th performed more than 50 deconstruction and demolition projects throughout Afghanistan and completed the engineer scope of work and design for 15 large-scale projects during the deployment. |
