Area Military Update

3rd ID 1ABCT:  Fort Stewart’s 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team has returned from its rotation in South Korea.  The last flight of the Brigade’s soldiers arrived back at Hunter AAF yesterday.  Following block leave for these returning soldiers, they will be officially welcomed back to Fort Stewart when their colors are formally uncased in a ceremony there, likely before the end of November.  Terrific to have our great soldiers back from a lengthy rotation.

ALSO South Korea:   Former 3rd ID Commander and most recently the Commander of Army Forces Command, General Robert “Abe” Abrams, named the Commander United Nations Command ROK-US Combined Forces Command, will official assume that combined command at a ceremony on November 8, 2018, at USAG Humphreys, in South Korea.  Best wishes to General Abrams as he now takes on this extremely important international command.

LTG Thomas Vandal:  Lieutenant-General Tom Vandal passed away in early October after a valiant fight against cancer.  He was most recently the Commanding General of Eighth Army and Chief of Staff of Combined Forces Command in South Korea.  A West Point graduate and veteran of the Iraq War, LTG Vandal was with the 3rd ID at Fort Stewart-Hunter several years ago as a Deputy Commanding General.  Unfortunate news regarding this highly respected leader alum of the Third Infantry Division. (Info via Army Times, 10-29-18).