Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Calvert | Command Sgt. Maj. Sean Dunn (rear), 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas – The 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, welcomed a new commander during a change-of-command ceremony at Cooper Field here Aug. 5.
During the ceremonial passing of the colors, Col. Cory Mendenhall, from Bonners Ferry, Idaho, relinquished command to Col. Jeffery Thompson, an Oregon native.
“It’s truly an honor to stand before you today as a member of the Air Cav team,” Thompson said. “[My wife] Briana, the girls and I feel blessed to be back in central Texas. It’s our fourth time here at the ‘Great Place,’ and I can assure you there is no place we would rather be.”
Thompson previously served at Fort Hood as a company commander, battalion executive officer, brigade operations officer, division G3, and battalion commander. He has also served in Korea, Iraq, and most recently in Sharana, Afghanistan, as the Task Force Gambler commander.
During his speech, Thompson said he met Mendenhall when he was a first lieutenant at Camp Page, Korea.
“He was the incoming commander in Alpha Company, and I was a platoon leader in Charlie Company,” Thompson explained. “After a brief introduction, he said something I never forgot – he said ‘Hey, anything I can do to help?’ Clearly this must be a trick question, I thought.”
“But the reality was, this was not a joke,” Thompson said. “This was a new commander offering to help a platoon leader from another company any way he could. Over the next six months, he helped me and my platoon through gunneries and field problems, quarterly training briefs and staff rides, always willing to offer a hand if needed.”
As he assumed command, Thompson said he is ready to continue building upon the Air Cav’s legacy.
“From the rice patties of Vietnam, to the sprawl of Baghdad and the mountains of Eastern Afghanistan, the history of this storied unit is unmatched,” Thompson said. “The image of Air Cav helicopters in support of American Soldiers is one of the most visible examples of American military might, and your [Soldiers’] legacy continues to inspire fellow aviation warriors across our Army.”
In his final moments at Fort Hood, Mendenhall took time to thank Soldiers for their hard work and dedication during his time as “Warrior 6.”
“Thank you all for making the last two years the most rewarding time in the Army for [my wife] Brooke and me,” Mendenhall said. “We will never forget this time in the 1st Cav. It’s truly been our honor to serve with each and every one of you.”
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2014 14:53 |
| Story ID: | 138481 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TX, US |
| Hometown: | BONNERS FERRY, ID, US |
| Web Views: | 248 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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