Orange Pride in Afghanistan
5/8/2008 10:12:48 AM | General
1SG Ray Swift, a First Sergeant for HHC 427th Brigade Support Battalion, and CSM James Haggerty, Battalion Sergeant Major display their pride for Syracuse University in many ways, including carrying the Syracuse flag in his assault pack in Afghanistan. On May 2, Swift and Haggerty paused for a photo with the flag 7,321 feet above sea level on Ghar Mountain, just outside Kabul, Afghanistan.
The HHC 427th Brigade Support Battalion, which is located in Syracuse at Hancock Air Base, is part of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat team that is currently running Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII here in Afghanistan. CJTFPHX VII trains and mentors Afghanistan National Security Forces to conduct independent, self-sustained Counter Insurgency and security operations in order to defeat terrorism and provide a secure, stable environment within the borders of Afghanistan.
"Our unit is from Syracuse and Syracuse University sports are something we all follow and are great fans of," said Swift, whose biggest tie to SU is his wife, Cristina, who is the Assistant Director for Alumni Relations for on campus events. "Soldiers in HHC 427th BSB are very proud to be from Central NY and with that, of course, comes SU pride. In fact, in this unit the soldiers call themselves 'Cuse-Aiders'. Our pride goes so deep that even the numbers painted on our weapons are painted orange. So you see Syracuse University means a lot to me and the soldiers of this unit. It is great to know that the Syracuse University athletics department cares about the men and women who care about them and cheer them on. Thanks again for all you do for us. It may sound like a line, but I promise it is not. We can never repay how much you have done for us. God Bless, Best wishes, and Go Orange!!"
