Fort Bliss Monitor

Keith Pannel

Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Banes, right, 6-52 ADA Battalion command sergeant major, holds the colors while Lt. Col. Artice Scott, left, 6-52 ADA Bn. commander and Col. Jeffrey Oeser, 31st ADA Bde. commander, unfurl the flag to establish the Ironhorse Battalion at Fort Sill July 14.

It’s official!
Uncasing ceremony hails 6-52 to Fort Sill

Keith Pannell
Fort Sill Cannoneer Staff

FORT SILL, Okla. - The 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery uncased its colors in a ceremony at Fort Sill’s Polo Field Friday when the unit officially stood up as part of III Corps and Fort Bliss’ 31st ADA Brigade.

Uncasing the colors means, literally, pulling a cover off the unit flag as a gesture, symbolizing the movement of a unit from one place to another. The 6-52 ADA Bn. previous home was Ansbach, Germany.

“It really felt like, ‘Okay, Fort Sill and the community is ready for you,’” said Lt. Col. Artice Scott, battalion commander. “That’s what I felt as I was given command on the field. We’re here, and we’re a permanent fixture at Fort Sill.”

Col. Jeffrey Oeser, 31st ADA Bde. commander, was on hand to help Scott uncase the colors. The 31st ADA Brigade is the parent organization for the Ironhorse Battalion.

“It’s been a busy and hectic couple of months, making this transition from Europe to Fort Sill – all done with family, pets and household goods in tow,” said Oeser. “You all did great.”

The unit’s equipment, Patriot missile launchers, radars and support equipment, began arriving June 28. According to Scott, the unit has about 204 Soldiers on post right now, and a trailing team will arrive from Germany in a couple of weeks. Once all the Soldiers and their families arrive, the Ironhorse Battalion will bring about 450 people to the Lawton, Okla., and Fort Sill area.

The entire 31st ADA Bde. will move to Fort Sill in the next several years, bringing nearly 10,000 Soldiers and family members to the community.

Col. William Greer, Fort Sill chief of staff, said that during his deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was in the same area as the 6-52 ADA Bn. and is grateful for their service.

“Thanks, personally, for your protection. Although you woke me up several time pretty rudely, I did appreciate you keeping me and my Soldiers safe,” Greer said. “Welcome home Ironhorse Battalion, you look magnificent. May God bless you, the Soldiers and the families of this great battalion.”



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 20. 2006

	Keith Pannel Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Banes, right, 6-52 ADA Battalion command sergeant major, holds the colors while Lt. Col. Artice Scott, left, 6-52 ADA Bn. commander and Col. Jeffrey Oeser, 31st ADA Bde. commander, unfurl the flag to establish the Ironhorse Battalion at Fort Sill July 14. It’s official! Uncasing ceremony hails 6-52 to Fort Sill Keith Pannell Fort Sill Cannoneer Staff FORT SILL, Okla. - The 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery uncased its colors in a ceremony at Fort Sill’s Polo Field Friday when the unit officially stood up as part of III Corps and Fort Bliss’ 31st ADA Brigade. Uncasing the colors means, literally, pulling a cover off the unit flag as a gesture, symbolizing the movement of a unit from one place to another. The 6-52 ADA Bn. previous home was Ansbach, Germany. “It really felt like, ‘Okay, Fort Sill and the community is ready for you,’” said Lt. Col. Artice Scott, battalion commander. “That’s what I felt as I was given command on the field. We’re here, and we’re a permanent fixture at Fort Sill.” Col. Jeffrey Oeser, 31st ADA Bde. commander, was on hand to help Scott uncase the colors. The 31st ADA Brigade is the parent organization for the Ironhorse Battalion. “It’s been a busy and hectic couple of months, making this transition from Europe to Fort Sill – all done with family, pets and household goods in tow,” said Oeser. “You all did great.” The unit’s equipment, Patriot missile launchers, radars and support equipment, began arriving June 28. According to Scott, the unit has about 204 Soldiers on post right now, and a trailing team will arrive from Germany in a couple of weeks. Once all the Soldiers and their families arrive, the Ironhorse Battalion will bring about 450 people to the Lawton, Okla., and Fort Sill area. The entire 31st ADA Bde. will move to Fort Sill in the next several years, bringing nearly 10,000 Soldiers and family members to the community. Col. William Greer, Fort Sill chief of staff, said that during his deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom, he was in the same area as the 6-52 ADA Bn. and is grateful for their service. “Thanks, personally, for your protection. Although you woke me up several time pretty rudely, I did appreciate you keeping me and my Soldiers safe,” Greer said. “Welcome home Ironhorse Battalion, you look magnificent. May God bless you, the Soldiers and the families of this great battalion.”