Brigade hosts week of competitions, family bonding

Paratroopers with the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, compete for top honors in the Army combatives competition as part of Sparta Week Sep. 5. Troops and families spent the week in friendly competition, building esprit de corps during the events. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Smith/released)

Brigade hosts week of competitions, family bonding

Amanda Gill (left) and Jennifer Lindsay, spouses of paratroopers with the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), work at the Family Support Group’s caramel apple booth during the brigade’s Family Fun Day and barbecue Sept. 5. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Smith/released)

Brigade hosts week of competitions, family bonding

Published Sept. 16, 2013
By Army Staff Sgt. Jeffrey Smith
4-25 ABCT Public Affairs

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The Spartan Brigade managed to fit in some fun before summer's end as Soldiers and families took part in Sparta Week last week at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division was able to take time away from the daily grind for friendly competition, fellowship and families.
The brigade also remembered their fallen during a memorial ceremony, and hosted the inaugural Spartan Ball.

Brigade commander Army Col. Matthew McFarlane said it is important to take time to build bonds and establish relationships in addition to the busy training schedule.
"Since this brigade's inception in 2005, it has been awfully busy, and has done some amazing things, not only on the battlefield, but also here in Alaska," McFarlane said. "You need to take some time to stop from mission-focused training, our field skills, and our airborne training to really ensure we are conscious of how every member of the team is very important."

"Today was a good time," said Sgt. Vasilios Zimarakos, a paratrooper with B Company, 1st Battalion, 501st Infantry Regiment (Airborne). "I got to hang out with my wife a little bit instead of being around work all day. It was good to go do some stuff with her."