WHAT: Third Army will conduct an Uncasing Ceremony June 10, 2011, at 9:00 a.m. at Patton Hall Shaw Air Force Base Sumter, SC. Third Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, will perform the ceremony as it represents Third Army’s presence here and symbolizes the start of operations.
Background: From the earliest of times, warriors used a banner or other symbol to identify specific units and to serve as a rallying point for troops. Carrying the United States colors and the regimental colors in combat and during unit formations was a place of high honor. Today, the colors, with battle streamers attached, join their units in formations during ceremonies to signify their history in past campaigns and the presence of the commander and his headquarters. When a unit or the headquarters of a unit undergoes a permanent change of station, the Colors are “cased”, literally furled and placed inside a canvas case, to signify that the command has ceased operations at that location. The Colors are then “uncased” at the new location to signify that the command is operational at its new station.
Third Army’s main effort is to support the warfighters in support of Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom. We are the Army’s longest continuously deployed warfighting headquarters, operating from five distinct locations to include its Main Command Post in Atlanta, Forward Command Post in Kuwait, ARCENT Support Element-Iraq, ARCENT Coordination Support Element-Afghanistan, and future Main Command Post –Shaw Air Force Base. .
Third Army is in the process of completing a seamless transition from Fort McPherson, Ga to Shaw AFB with no interruption to ongoing operations or support to warfighters in the Central Command area of operations.
WHEN: 9 a.m. June 10, 2011
WHERE: Patton Hall, Shaw AFB, SC
Media Opportunity: The media is invited to attend the ceremony. Interested media should contact Third Army Public Affairs as soon as possible. Members of the media are not permitted on Shaw AFB without prior coordination. Please call or email to coordinate on post access in advance. If you are unable to attend the ceremony the media can view it live at http://www.dvidshub.net/webcast/1781