FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Rakkasans, of the 101st Airborne Division, held a color casing ceremony Monday in preparation for the brigade’s upcoming nine-month deployment to Europe.

Approximately 3,500 3rd BCT soldiers will deploy in support of Operation European Assure Deter and Reinforce. They will serve in locations throughout the European continent for the first time since 1976. Soldiers with the 101st from various units have been serving in Southeastern Europe since June 2022 in support of U.S. NATO allies.

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a Color Casing Ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a Color Casing Ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a Color Casing Ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a Color Casing Ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a Color Casing Ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

Colonel Ricardo Turner, Commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) speaks at the Color Casing Ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a Color Casing Ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a Color Casing Ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a Color Casing Ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

Command Sergeant Major Wiliam Gallant and Colonel Ricardo Turner, Commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), case the units colors at a ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

Command Sergeant Major Wiliam Gallant and Colonel Ricardo Turner, Commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault,) case the units colors at a ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans” of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a Color Casing Ceremony at Fort Campbell as they prepare for deployment to Europe on Oct. 30, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

Commander of the Rakkasans Col Ricardo Turner spoke during the ceremony. “Our next rendezvous with destiny is now upon us. At the end of November, the brigade’s colors will be unfurled in Romania,” Turner said.

“Our mission is simple: to deter further enemy aggression and reassure U.S. allies of our commitment to them and to our collective security. American families can rest assured knowing that now, just as before, we will live up to our motto, let valor not fail.”

One of the soldiers deploying for the first time with the brigade, Spc. Adan Vining, said he was excited about being deployed. “Most of us when we join it’s something that we want to do. We want to defend the country in whatever way we can. It’s something we’re excited to do once we get the opportunity to do it,” Vining said.

The Casing of the Colors is a military ceremony held by U.S. Army commands, brigades and regiments. Each of the individual units have flags and streamers that are referred to as “colors” to represent the unit. The colors will be uncased upon the 3rd Brigade’s arrival in Europe, cased again when the unit completes their mission in Europe, and uncased again upon their return to Fort Campbell.