CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRAH, Iraq – A change of command ceremony was held May 22, 2010 in front of 1st Battalion (Air Assault), 377th Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade headquarters, transferring authority of Alpha Battery after eighteen months from Millersburg, Mich., native Capt. Garry Hansel to Bremen, Ohio, native Capt. Eric Elliott.

After the invocation was given by Chap. (Capt.) Mark Rendon, 1-377th FAR, and native of Tigard, Ore., Lt. Col. James MacGregor, Commander of 1-377th FAR and native of Manhattan, Kan., commended Hansel on his successful time as Alpha Battery commander.

"Garry Hansel led Alpha Battery with a steady hand," said MacGregor.

"He applied his previous combat experience alongside a rigorous schedule of weapons ranges, squad and mounted live fires, and platoon lanes to prepare his Soldiers for the worst of combat," MacGregor added.

Although the Battery met its training objectives prior to the Brigade's deployment in July 2009, nothing could have prepared Hazel for the task that awaited him in Basrah, Iraq.

Hansel's Battery was tasked with maintaining two patrol bases in the 17th Fires Brigade's operational environment in Basrah province: Patrol Base Wessam, home to the Headquarters of the 14th Iraqi Army Division, and Area 51, a patrol base at the Shaiba Training Center.

MacGregor said on top of sustaining those bases, the battalion included Hansel's Battery in its operations to disrupt enemy activity around Basrah and Az Zubayr.

"Garry planned and directed more than 130 combined patrols, which led to the significant reduction of attacks to Contingency Operating Base Basrah and the professional development of their counterparts with the Iraqi Security Forces," said MacGregor.

Hansel delivered his final remarks as battery commander. "It has been an honor to have served as your commander for the past 18 months," said Hansel. "Our time together has been a rollercoaster ride that I would absolutely take with you again."

Hansel said that he was proud of the job his Soldiers did for him, their unit, and their country, throughout this deployment.

"I will treasure the wealth of stories you have given me to tell and thousands of moments that will bring a smile to my face each time I look back on this experience," Hansel said.

Hansel paused for a moment, turned his head to the incoming commander and said, "I'm handing you the reins of a great group of Soldiers and I wish you the best of luck in the high adventure these guys are going to bring you. So without further ado, Gator six out."

As Hansel stepped away from the podium, the next chapter in the 'Be Bold' Battalion's Alpha Battery began as Capt. Eric Elliott was summoned to the podium.

"First Sergeant, the men look great! Gator Six reporting for duty," said Elliott.

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