COL Jeff Holmes 

"SABER 6"

Commander

Old Bill's Chips

Welcome!

Operation Iraqi Freedom III was the largest modern deployment of the 278^th Armored Cavalry Regiment; and the Regiment’s biggest deployment since World War II.  Our history is distinguished and proud; dating back to the founding of our country.  Unlike the Active Component’s custom of tracking a unit’s history via corporate identity (which transcends the individuals who serve in the unit), historians trace Guard lineages on the continuity of personnel from a specific place, regardless of changes in the unit’s branch or designation; in other words, a Guard unit’s history is traced to it’s geographical location.  Although we are headquartered in Knoxville, as the Three Rivers Patch we wear on our shoulder indicates, the 278^th Armored Cavalry Regiment’s proud history can be traced to the far reaches of all of Tennessee—East, Middle, and West.  Our history can be traced through members past and current members; through military traditions, community traditions, and family traditions.  Therefore, we consider ourselves both a military unit and a family.

If you are visiting this web site as a member of the Regiment, whether a current member or past member; I encourage you to reflect upon your own contributions to our success, the challenges you faced both personally and professionally, and the things that you learned serving along side the fine soldiers and officers of this Regiment.  Through your service in the Regiment, not only was the Regiment bettered, but you cannot help but learn new lessons about tactics and techniques, yourself, your peers, and life.  Members of this Regiment shoulder an awesome responsibility—to each other, to our fellow citizens, and to history.  I am humbled by your service, dedication, and professionalism; and I am honored to serve with you.

 It is the families who carry the biggest burden and make the greatest sacrifice for this Regiment.  At the end of a long day on the ranges and in the field, or standing guard; we soldiers lay down with a sense of accomplishment for a job well done.  But at the end of their long day, taking care of kids, matters at home, and all the challenges that come with our absence; our families are content simply knowing that we are happy doing what we do. 

I am proud of each and every one of our soldiers and family members.  I am humbled to stand with them and honored to call myself a member of this Regiment and this family.  We can never forget our fallen and wounded heroes who have given their bodies and lives for this Regiment and the United States.  May God bless each and every one of them, and may God continue to bestow his blessings upon our Regimental family.

COL Jeff Holmes

Commander

I VOLUNTEER SIR!