Courtesy Photo | Outgoing 68th Troop commander, Col. Michael Aberle, Bismarck, N.D.... read more read more
BISMARCK, N.D. — An officer with over 32 years of military service took charge of the North Dakota Army National Guard’s 68th Troop Command today. Col. Darcie Handt assumed command of the Bismarck based unit from outgoing commander, Col. Michael Aberle at the Raymond J. Bohn Armory.
Presiding over the change of command ceremony was Brig. Gen. Bill Seekins, commander of the Land Component Command for the North Dakota National Guard. Also participating in the ceremony was Command Sgt. Maj. Harley Schwind, command sergeant major for the 68th Troop Command.
Seekins lauded the soldiers during the ceremony saying “The 68th Troop Command is a special unit, with varied specialties and missions. From emergency operations like flood fighting and blizzard rescue operations, to preparing soldiers and units for mobilization, the soldiers of the Troop Command have always risen to the occasion. It takes a talented officer like Mike Aberle to effectively lead this unit.”
About 1,400 soldiers are assigned to the 68th Troop Command. The unit is responsible for command and control of North Dakota Army National Guard units primarily in central and western North Dakota. Major subordinate units include the 136th Combat Service Support Battalion (Devils Lake), 164th Engineer Battalion (Minot) and 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Bismarck). Aberle assumed command of the 68th Troop Command on August 16, 2009.
“During Col. Aberle’s two-year tenure as commander, his outstanding leadership enabled the 68th Troop Command to constantly excel, successfully accomplishing all of its assigned missions,” said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, who also spoke to unit’s soldiers and guests at the ceremony. “Col. Handt’s military background and experience makes him the right officer at the right time lead this unique and diverse unit. I have complete confidence in his abilities.”
During the ceremony, Sprynczynatyk presented Aberle with the U.S. Army Meritorious Service Medal for his accomplishments as commander.
Aberle enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1978 and served with the Edgeley, N.D., based Company D, 141st Engineer Battalion. He earned his commission as second lieutenant in the Engineer Corps in 1983 through the North Dakota State University Reserve Officer Training Program (ROTC). As a full time Guardsmen, Aberle recently served as Deputy Director of the Joint Staff, in support of 4,400 Soldiers and Airmen of the North Dakota National Guard. Other full time assignments included Personnel Officer (J-1), Financial Officer (J-8), Mobilization Officer and officer-in-charge of the Engineer Brigade, 34th Infantry Division. Traditional National Guard assignments include command of the 142nd Engineer and 164th Engineer Battalions, and operations officer for the Engineer Brigade, 34th Infantry Division, 164th Engineer Battalion and 141st Engineer Battalion. He also commanded companies D and C, 141st Engineer Battalion.
“I could not be more proud of the soldiers of the 68th Troop Command,” said Aberle. “They have accomplished everything we have asked over the last two years and have always effectively responded when our communities, state and nation needed them".
Aberle also served as commander of Task Force-West, which was responsible for the N.D. National Guard’s 2011 flood response for the Missouri and Souris (Mouse) Rivers. Aberle lives in Bismarck and his daughter Sara is a fourth-year medical student at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.
Handt enlisted in the North Dakota Army National Guard in 1979 as an engineer equipment mechanic. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in 1989 as an Ordnance Officer and was assigned to the 3662nd Maintenance Company, in Devils Lake, N.D. Handt has held many key leadership positions from platoon leader, company commander, assistant battalion operations and communications officer such as Deputy Chief of Staff for Recruiting and Retention, director of maintenance for the North Dakota Army National Guard, Commander, 231st Brigade Support Battalion, Director of Logistics (G-4) for the N.D. Army National Guard. From 2009 to 2010 he was deployed to Kosovo as the logistics officer for the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (Forward) (KFOR 12). He currently serves as a full-time Guardsman assigned as the Deputy for the North Dakota United States Property and Fiscal Office.
"I am honored to be provided the opportunity to lead the professional soldiers assigned to the 68th Troop Command," Handt told the troops after assuming command. “Together, we will continue to maintain the high standards that have made this unit an integral component in the success of the North Dakota National Guard.
Handt’s wife Master Sgt. Beth Handt is also a member of the N.D. National Guard. They live in Bismarck with their three children.
| Date Taken: | 09.24.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.24.2011 21:34 |
| Story ID: | 77540 |
| Location: | BISMARCK, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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