Photo By Sgt. Shantelle Campbell | Col. Hank Arnold, outgoing commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st...... read more read more
It was a monumental day for the soldiers of the “Dragon” Brigade as they welcomed not one, but two new leaders to their ranks.
The Soldiers of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team welcomed Col. Joseph Wawro and Command Sgt. Maj. Wylie Hutchison during a dual change of command and change of responsibility ceremony at King Field House Nov. 30.
“It is a bittersweet day as the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley bid farewell to a great command team, yet at the same time we are excited to welcome Col. Wawro and Command Sgt. Maj. Hutchison,” said Brig. Gen. David Petersen, deputy commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley – rear.
Col. Hank Arnold, who took command of the unit in May 2008, recently returned to Fort Riley following the brigade’s year-long deployment to the Salah ad Din province in northern Iraq. While deployed, the brigade submitted 159 projects to improve local infrastructure and boost the local economy; spending more than $18 million to support the local citizens.
Petersen noted the vast differences between the brigade’s most recent deployment from their previous deployment in 2007. Under Arnold’s command, the Dragon Brigade’s main focus was conducting stability operations designed to achieve military objectives by partnering with and enabling and advising Iraqi Security Forces to secure the population and deter violence against Iraqi people.
“Due to the dedicated and honorable leadership of this command team and because of their outstanding skills in team building, the brigade took on a new mission and executed it with professionalism,” Petersen said.
Arnold’s next assignment will take him to Washington D.C. where he will serve as a member of the joint staff at the Pentagon.
“Change is good. It’s necessary and vital for the health and growth of an organization. This team will flourish under the new command,” Arnold said. “It’s been an absolute honor and privilege to serve as your commander.”
Wawro previously served as the Chief of Staff of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin, Calif., before assuming command of the Dragon Brigade.
“In its relative short history, 4th Brigade continues the proud legacy of the ‘Big Red One.’ It has been simply remarkable what the Dragons have accomplished during the last four years,” Wawro said. “I am honored to be counted upon and can think of no greater privilege than to command a treasure of our great nation: the Dragon Soldiers of 4th Brigade.”
During the ceremony, the Soldiers of 4th IBCT also welcomed a familiar face of the unit to the brigade’s leadership. Command Sgt. Maj. Wylie Hutchison assumed the position of the brigade’s command sergeant major from Command Sgt. Maj. Michael McCoy.
Hutchison previously served as a brigade operations sergeant major and then battalion command sergeant major for the 4th IBCT and deployed with the unit’s Soldiers during the Dragon Brigade’s last two deployments.
“We look forward to great things as we bring in a new era of leadership for the Dragon brigade,” Petersen said.
| Date Taken: | 11.30.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 01.06.2011 17:40 |
| Story ID: | 63144 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 189 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ‘Dragons’ welcome two new leaders in dual ceremony, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT