70th BEB reactivation, change of command and change of responsibility

Photo By Sgt. Corey Confer | Lt. Col. Michael R. Braun, outgoing commander for 70th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division (left), stands with Lt. Col. Christopher T. Kuhn, incoming commander for 70th BEB (right) during a change of command ceremony Sept. 2, 2014, at Fort Wainwright. During the ceremony, the Brigade Troops Battalion was deactivated and the 70th BEB was reactivated under the Army’s new alignment adding more than 300 troops to 1/25 SBCT. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Corey Confer)  

FORT WAINWRIGHT, AK, UNITED STATES

09.02.2014

Story by Spc. Corey Confer 

1st Brigade, 11th Airborne Division

FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska – Lt. Col. Michael R. Braun, 70th Brigade Engineer Battalion commander, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, transferred command to Lt. Col. Christopher T. Kuhn during a ceremony Sept. 2, 2014, on Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

In addition to the change of command during the ceremony, the Brigade Troops Battalion inactivated and the 70th BEB reactivated under the Army’s new alignment, adding more than 300 troops to 1/25 SBCT.

The 70th BEB is a battalion rich in history, beginning with their part in constructing more than 250 miles of the Alaska-Canadian Highway, the beaches of Normandy in World War II and more recently with Iraq’s historic national elections in 2005, where they provided security.

Kuhn, an engineer officer who hails from Middletown, Pennsylvania, said 70th BEB is the most diverse battalion in 1/25 SBCT.

“I ask you to look out at the formation,” Kuhn said, “you will not just see engineers but military intelligence, signal, infantry, logisticians and many other (military occupations).”

In addition to the reactivation of the 70th BEB and Kuhn assuming command, Sgt. Maj. Robert M. Preusser Jr. passed responsibility of the battalion to Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Brown.

“Command Sgt. Maj. Brown is well known throughout the Engineer Regiment as a phenomenal leader, Soldier and trainer,” said Kuhn.

After successfully leading the BTB Braun, originally from Wolcott, Connecticut, and Preusser, a native of Honolulu, will each continue to serve with 1/25 SBCT; Braun will be the deputy commanding officer and Preusser will be the operations sergeant major.

“It means a lot to be able to stay with this brigade, and I am very humbled to be given this responsibility,” said Braun.

As the ceremony came to a close, Kuhn said he looked forward to serving with the 70th BEB and adding to its history.

Kuhn said, “I look forward to serving with everyone in the battalion, the brigade and Fort Wainwright as we write the next chapter of history for the 70th BEB.”

• Date Taken: 09.02.2014
• Date Posted: 09.03.2014 18:17
• Story ID: 141076
• Location: FORT WAINWRIGHT, AK, US
• Hometown: HONOLULU, HI, US
• Hometown: MIDDLETOWN, PA, US
• Hometown: WOLCOTT, CT, US