Rocky Mountain Redlegs Association St. Barbara’s Ball

This year’s Rocky Mt. Redlegs Association Saint Barbara’s Ball attracted more than 350 guests. The event, held November 16 at the Hyatt Regency Aurora-Denver Convention Center, featured an induction and awards ceremony for the 169th Field Artillery /100th Missile Defense Brigade including a raffle of commemorative rifles featuring the U.S. and state of Colorado flags.

The 169th Field Artillery Brigade is under the command of U.S. Army Col. Scot J. Hartman

The artillery units are part of the Colorado Army National Guard headquartered at Aurora’s Buckley Air Force Base and under the command of U.S. Army Colonel Scot J. Hartman.

Members of the Field Artillery are referred to as ‘”redlegs” because during the U.S. Civil War they were distinguished by scarlet stripes down the legs of their uniform pants. The use of colors to distinguish branches of the United States Army dates back to 1851.

Soldiers with the Colorado Army National Guard’s 169th Field Artillery Brigade officially welcomed Col. Hartman at William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center at Fort Carson
as incoming commander in September. Col. Hartman enlisted as an infantryman
in 1989 and later commissioned from the Reserve Officers Training Corps at the
University of Colorado in 1996.

Col. Hartman served in many positions, including recon officer, fire direction officer, battery commander, battalion commander, and many more. His deployments included Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Noble Eagle (twice), Operation Iraqi Freedom, and various state emergencies. Prior to Buckley, his latest position was as the commander of the Colorado National Guard’s mobilization and augmentation element to U.S. Northern Command.

Rocky Mt. Redlegs represent the artillery unit

The annual event is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain Redlegs Association and honors the sacred history and traditions of the Field Artillery, Missile Defense, Sustainment, Ordnance, Medical, Cyber and Signal Branches and their Patron Saints.

The ball was hosted by Colonel Scot Hartman, Colonel Christopher Williams and Command Sergeants Major Edward Schwaigert and Jeffery Coker. Guests were eligible to participate in a raffle for a chance to win one of two custom cerakote rifles.

Special thanks go to DangerLee Industries, Launch Pad Brewery, Timberline Photovideo and Blacktie Colorado.