Email   Print   Share By Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson, 4th Sust. Bde. Public Affairs

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Lt. Col. Stephen Riley and Command Sgt. Maj. David Jarvis, command team for the 180th Trans. Bn., 4th Sust. Bde., case the battalion’s colors during an inactivation ceremony at Sadowski Field Friday. The Monarch Battalion has provided sustainment and transportation support to Fort Hood since 1967. Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson, 4th Sust. Bde. Public Affairs

Soldiers with the 180th Trans. Bn., 4th Sust. Bde., stand in formation during the battalion’s inactivation ceremony at Sadowski Field Oct. 12. Initially constituted Feb. 23, 1943, the 180th Trans. Bn. has been called to serve in several conflicts from World War II to Desert Storm and the Global War on Terrorism. Staff Sgt. Jason Thompson, 4th Sust. Bde. Public Affairs

For the first time in 45 years, Fort Hood is without its “King of the Road.”

The 180th Transportation Battalion cased its unit colors and inactivated during a ceremony Friday at Sadowski Field.

“I had my breath taken away a moment ago when those colors were cased,” Col. Mark Simerly, commander, 4th “Wrangler” Sustainment Brigade, said during the ceremony. “We say farewell to a great battalion, a great battalion commander and a great battalion command sergeant major. It is a momentous day, one of joy and pride, but also a day of regret and nostalgia.

“The 180th (Trans. Bn.) has epitomized excellence in transportation and sustainment,” he said. “Those of us who have served with or around the 180th, will always be inspired by our memories. Instead of focusing on what is no more, I propose we focus with pride in what has taken place.”

The battalion was originally constituted Feb. 23, 1943, as 3rd Battalion, 519th Quartermaster Regiment, and activated April 26, 1943, at Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Ark. It was later reorganized and redesignated as 180th Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile, Dec. 20, 1943, prior to its inactivation two years later at Camp Kilmer, N.J., Dec. 12, 1945, following the conclusion of World War II.

However, the battalion was called back into action 21 years later, and it was redesignated as 180th Transportation Battalion, allotted to the regular Army and activated at Fort Hood Jan. 23, 1967.

“The Monarch Battalion is perpetually linked to Fort Hood and III Corps where it has provided world-class transportation service and support since 1967,” Simerly said.

Through its time, the 180th Trans. Bn. was called upon to assist in several campaigns: World War II, Defense of Saudi Arabia, Liberation of Kuwait, Operation Sea Signal, Operation Restore Hope, Exercise Intrinsic Action, Operation Vigilant Warrior, Operation Joint Endeavour, and Operations Iraqi Freedom I, 05-07 and 09-10.

Although this storied battalion has closed another chapter, Lt. Col. Stephen Riley, the latest battalion commander, believes the book of the 180th Trans. Bn. is not yet complete.

“Our Army has a tradition of pulling distinguished colors from the archives, respective of their character, distinguished lineage and history – 180th is that kind of unit. I’m sure the nation will call on the Monarchs once again when it is in need of the finest sustainers to fight,” he said.

Riley continued to say that the inactivation of his battalion was both a blessing and a curse. He said he was fortunate to work with many great leaders and Soldiers during his time as the commander, but sad to see his subordinate companies depart for other battalions.

“It’s a sad day to end this chapter; this is a great battalion, great history and great Soldiers who’ve served with this battalion,” Riley said.

The 180th Trans. Bn. and its Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment inactivated, but the remaining companies in the battalion have been reallocated to other battalions within the 4th Sust. Bde.