AWG’s Concepts and Integration Squadron changes command

Photo By Lt. Col. Sonise Lumbaca | (Left) Lt. Col. Michael Richardson, the incoming commander for the Concepts Integration Squadron of the U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group, receives the squadron’s guidon from Col. Patrick J. Mahaney Jr., commander of the AWG and also the reviewing officer for the change of command ceremony held July 2 at Fort Meade, Md. The Concepts Integration Squadron, one of four squadrons that make up the AWG, rapidly identifies, develops and integrates non-material and supports material solution development, which supports the unit’s group priority efforts to enhance soldier survivability and combat effectiveness. The Concepts Integration Squadron provides the linkage between global scout observations of AWG Operational Advisors into Training and Doctrine Command, the Army and across the joint, interagency, multinational, public and private communities.  

FORT MEADE, MD, UNITED STATES

07.02.2012

Story by Maj. Sonise Lumbaca 

U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. – Members of the U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group bid farewell to Lt. Col. William M. Huff, the outgoing commander of the Concepts and Integration Squadron (a.k.a. Dog Squadron), and welcomed the incoming commander Lt. Col. Michael Richardson, during a change of commander ceremony July 2.

Huff, originally from Brightwaters, N.Y., took command of the squadron July 2011.

The Concepts Integration Squadron, one of four squadrons that make up the AWG. It rapidly identifies, develops and integrates non-material and supports material solution development, which supports the unit’s Group Priority Efforts to enhance soldier survivability and Combat effectiveness. Priority efforts include Mobility enhancements such as the Man Portable Line Charge and increasing the understanding of the Operational Environment through the Asymmetric Operations Work Group. The Concepts Integration Squadron provides the linkage between global scout observations of AWG Operational Advisors into Training and Doctrine Command, the Army and across the Joint, Interagency, Multinational, Public and Private communities.

“[The Concepts Integration Squadron] directly works to defeat current and emerging threats...threats that are often irregular, asymmetric and hybrid, and are increasingly clever, adaptive, networked,” said Col. Patrick J. Mahaney Jr., the commander of the AWG, who was also the reviewing officer for the ceremony. “The way I see it, they own the meeting point where not only concepts are tested and integrated together, but where they are then taken to meet reality.”

As for his feelings towards the way Huff commanded, Mahaney stated, “Your performance was brilliant and awe-inspiring, and I would serve under your command anytime, any place...especially in combat.”

In his remarks, Huff spoke highly of his time served with the AWG, and personally thanked the members of the Concepts and Integration Squadron he spent a year commanding.

“Thanks to the leadership, soldiers, [Department of the Army] civilians and contractors within Dog Squadron that [made my time here] special,” Huff said.

Prior to commanding with the AWG, Huff’s previous assignments included the 320th Field Artillery; 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment; United States Army Special Operations Command; 231st (Airborne) Field Artillery; the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division; and a previous assignment with the AWG as a troop commander and senior operations officer. He is a United States Military Academy and Naval Command and Staff College graduate. Huff will be headed to the National War College, National Defense University.

Richardson, originally from Burke, Va., and who is no stranger to the AWG, looks forward to the challenge of commanding his new squadron.

“Thank you for the confidence you have place in me. I won’t let you down,” he said during his remarks.

Richardson’s assignments include 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division; 307th Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division; 10th Special Forces Group; 1st Special Warfare Training Group; and a troop commander and squadron commander of the AWG. He is a graduate of Gettysburg College; University of California, Los Angeles; and the Naval Post Graduate School.

The AWG provides operational advisory support to Army and joint force commanders globally to enhance soldier survivability and combat effectiveness, and enable the defeat of current and emerging threats in support of Unified Land Operations. The unit has about 350 soldiers, Department of the Army Civilians and contractors who are seasoned warfighters and functional area experts. Beside the Concepts Integration Squadron, the unit is comprised of two Operational Squadrons and a Training, Recruiting and Assessment Squadron.

• Date Taken: 07.02.2012
• Date Posted: 07.03.2012 14:02
• Story ID: 91063
• Location: FORT MEADE, MD, US