More than 4,000 Fort Stewart soldiers will be headed to Europe this summer for a rotation – and they will take with them a new commanding general.

The 3rd Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, Division Headquarters and elements of the 3rd Sustainment Brigade received orders in March they were headed to Germany. The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, based at Hunter Army Airfield, has deployed to Europe.

Summer brings changes to Fort Stewart, as thousands of soldiers leave for other posts or retire and other soldiers move in. But this summer includes the deployment of the two brigades and the headquarters, and the welcome of a new command team.

Fort Stewart garrison commander Col. Manny Ramirez updated the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce, at its Progress Through People lunch Thursday, and on the upcoming deployments.

The 3rd Infantry Division routinely has two deputy commanding generals, and one is expected to remain back at Fort Stewart during the deployment.

“We still have senior representation here,” Col. Ramirez said.

Col. Ramirez also is expecting to be moving on this summer, though his replacement has not been announced.

The 2nd Brigade is testing out its new equipment – from the latest versions of Abrams main battle tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to a joint light tactical vehicle that is replacing the venerable Humvee -at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.

The 1st Brigade is next to get the new vehicles and equipment and will put it to the test.

“After this summer, we will be the most modern and lethal division in the U.S. Army,” Col. Ramirez said. “We’ll be the most modern division in the Army. We’ll be the iPhone 14 of the Army.”

Pat Donahue is general manager and editor of the Coastal  Courier in Hinesville.