EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – About 3,000 soldiers from Fort Bliss’ 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division celebrated their return home from a nine-month deployment to Europe.
The Bulldog Brigade, as it is nicknamed, uncased their unit colors during a ceremony on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at Iron Soldier Field at Fort Bliss.
Armored Division, front left, stands in front of the Bulldog Brigade’s color guard displaying the uncased
unit guidon and campaign streamers during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 3, 2025. The unfurling
of the guidon represents the conclusion of 3ABCT’s 9-month rotational deployment to Eastern Europe
and their return to Ft. Bliss as they prepare for their next mission. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kyle
Larsen)
Armored Division, front left, and Command Sgt. Maj. James R. Pyle, senior enlisted leader of 3ABCT,
1AD, front right, uncase their brigade colors during a ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, Sept. 3, 2025. The
ceremony signified the return of the brigade from their 9-month rotational deployment to Eastern
Europe and highlighted the many accomplishments of the Bulldog Soldiers throughout their
deployment. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Kyle Larsen)
The event signified the successful completion of the Bulldog Brigade’s rotational deployment to the U.S. European Command area of operation and their return to Fort Bliss.
Next up, the unit will reintegrate at the post, start training again and prepare for their next mission, whatever that will be.
Brig. Gen. Rory A. Crooks, the 1st Armored Division’s deputy commanding general for operations, welcomed the unit back to post and highlighted some of their achievements.
These included a four-man tank crew assigned to 1st Battalion, 67th Armor Regiment winning an international tank competition and 123rd Brigade Support Battalion utilizing advanced manufacturing to save the Army roughly $2.4 million.
“As we close the chapter, we welcome (3rd Brigade) back to Fort Bliss,” Crooks said “Your colors are now unfurled, and with all those lessons that you learned and took to heart, you are going to innovate. You are going to lead the division, and (1AD) will lead the Army on how an armored unit fights in this new type of warfare.”
Col. Adam F. Latham, commander of 3rd Brigade, highlighted the importance of families back home supporting their soldiers during the deployment.
“To our Bulldog spouses and families all over Fort Bliss and the United States,” Latham said. “We appreciate all your sacrifices as you enabled your soldiers to accomplish our mission, do our duty and execute our critical tasks. Nine months is a long time, and you have borne the brunt of the home front while we have missed you from afar.”
Latham also highlighted the importance of every soldier in the unit and what the unit was able to achieve during its time in Europe.
“It was a deployment of firsts,” Latham said. “First to compete in the Connelly Cup (for culinary excellence) while deployed forward following our win at the (U.S. Army Forces Command) level, first U.S. team to win the European Tank Challenge, first to accomplish company-level proficiency at night (combined arms live fire exercises), I could go on for hours on your list of accomplishments.
“You are not fancy, you do not brag or showboat. You just consistently produce results,” Latham said.
As the Bulldog Brigade reintegrates, they will get some time off to spend with friends and family before preparing for their next mission.
Fort Bliss did not say what countries in Europe the brigade was deployed to.
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