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Joint Base Lewis-McChord bids farewell to 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team

Raider Brigade's colors were on final display March 14 at Soldier's Field House

Maj. Gen. Terry Ferrell says farewell to 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat team at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, March 14. Photo credit: Gail wood

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On a day of farewells and goodbyes, Col. Jody Miller added the thank you and a job well done to the soldiers of his brigade.

During an hour inactivation ceremony, the 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team was recognized for eight years of stellar service this morning. In the Army's downsizing from 45 to 33 active brigades, the Raider Brigade's colors were on final display today at Soldier's Field House on Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"Throughout the brigade's history, the brigade demonstrated that it was a unit of choice when it answered the nation's call," said Miller, commander of the 4th Brigade. "What the brigade accomplished during its eight year tenure is extraordinary."

The brigade's first call came in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in August 2008. The next call came after orders to rapidly deploy again in support of OIF to advise and assist the Iraqi security forces.

The final call came with orders to go to Afghanistan where Miller said the brigade once again demonstrated that it was "ready, accountable, informed, disciplined, expert, resilient" and "second to none."

The Raiders deployed twice to Iraq and once to Afghanistan in their eight-year history at JBLM.

"Today is a day of celebration," said Maj. Gen. Terry Ferrell, commander of the 7th Infantry Division. "There are some phenomenal soldiers here. So. Let's put a smile into this and lets put some warmth into our hearts. Lets recognize a phenomenal formation with a round of applause."

Thunderous applause followed from the 2,500 soldiers and civilians attending the ceremony.

The 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division - known as the Raiders - activated at Fort Lewis on June 2006 after forming at the Army's fourth Stryker brigade 16 months earlier. In April 2007, the 4th Brigade deployed to Iraq under the command of Col. John Lehr and Command Sgt. Maj. John Troxell as part of President Bush's surge strategy. It was the first Stryker Brigade to deploy with the new combat vehicle.

During their 13 months of operations, the 4th Brigade successfully operated nine operations and more than 550 battalion and company sized operations throughout Baghdad's northern area, the Diyala Province. These operations accounted for 700 enemy killed in action and wounded and 1,700 insurgents detained and more than 200 targets captured. Also, 550 caches were discovered and more than 2,200 IEDs were cleared.

These accomplishments helped the Iraqi people take control of their country and to self govern.

"The cornerstones to mission success were supporting and mentoring the Iraqi security forces, government and population," Miller said. "The Rock Battalion was chosen to be the last combat battalion to leave Iraq, thus closing a chapter of American and Iraqi history."

April 19, 2012, the 4-2 SBCT was deployed to Afghanistan and was part of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"To team JBLM, the Raiders offer our gratitude and appreciation for the best support and partnerships found anywhere in the Army," Miller said.

In the Raiders service, there were 536 soldiers wounded and 58 killed.

"This legacy includes 58 of our finest that made the ultimate sacrifice and 536 wounded warriors from three grueling combat deployments," Miller said. "Our fallen Raiders, gold star families and wounded warriors will never be forgotten. Thank you."

The Army announced the inactivation of the brigade on June 2013 just as it had begun redeployment operations. Ferrell praised the Raiders for their accomplishments.      

"They have done some phenomenal things," Ferrell said. "They actually helped change the tone in that country. They not only did that but they came back and were able to help shut down a country.

You did it and you did it well. You set a standard for our nation."

See Also

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