Col. Christopher P. Gibson takes command of lead "Surge" Brigade

Photo By Staff Sgt. Michael Pryor | Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Meyers, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team sergeant major, passes the brigade colors over to Col. B. Don Farris, during the brigade change of command ceremony on June 4.  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

06.04.2008

Story by Pfc. Susan Blair 

82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs Office

By Sgt. Susan Wilt
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – After two years of leading the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Col. B. Don Farris transferred command of the "Falcons" over to Col. Christopher P. Gibson during a change of command ceremony at Pike Field.

"Falcons, among my most cherished memories will be when I stood in your ranks, if only for a short while," said the outgoing commander during his farewell speech.

Farris, a Lonestar, Texas native, marveled at the accomplishments of the Falcon paratroopers while he was in command, to include a 15- month deployment to Iraq as the spearhead of the surge. The Falcons efforts during the deployment helped bring violence levels in Iraq down to their lowest since 2004, which earned public recognition from President Bush for helping make the surge a success.

"When the closing chapter is written about this conflict it will surely record the exploits of these brave men and women standing before you," Farris told the audience about the Paratroopers standing in formation.

The division commander, Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, was there to bid farewell to Farris."Your legacy will resonate through these ranks long after you march off the field today," said Rodriguez of Farris's command. He went on to welcome the incoming commander.

"You know the terrain and the complexity of the situation at hand," he said of Gibson, a Kinderhook, N.Y. native. "We are fortunate to have you at the front of this formation."

Farris too was quick to sing praises of the incoming commander.

"You are indeed the perfect commander to prepare these Paratroopers for their next challenge," Farris told Gibson during his remarks.

Gibson, who previously commanded the 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd BCT, said he was excited to be taking over as the new "Falcon" brigade commander.

"Let me start by saying how fired up I am to be back in the 82nd Airborne Division and to serve with Paratroopers again," said the Kinderhook native. "Falcons, your accomplishments in Iraq during this deployment are simply amazing and I'm honored to rejoin your ranks."

• Date Taken: 06.04.2008
• Date Posted: 06.04.2008 17:59
• Story ID: 20119
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US