CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait - A ceremony was held Thursday to commemorate the transfer of authority from the 35th to the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade.
The traditional event is a visual symbol of the transfer from one command to another as one brigade’s guidon is cased for the trip home and the other is unfurled for the mission ahead.
The 36th CAB has deployed to the Middle East with both UH-60 “Black Hawk” and AH-64 “Apache” helicopters to conduct security cooperation, joint exercises, and training. These partnership events promote security, stability, and mutual interests in the region.
The 35th CAB of the Missouri Army National Guard is headed home after a tremendously successful nine-month deployment. The incoming brigade is from the Texas Army National Guard and is headquartered in Austin, Texas.
When all subordinate units are in place, the 36th CAB will include Army National Guard units from seven states and an active duty battalion based Fort Hood.
Brig. Gen. Charles L. Taylor, Army Central Command chief ofsStaff, said, “As you head home, you can hold your heads high for what you’ve accomplished here.”
Col. Mark McLemore, commander of the 35th CAB, said, “To the soldiers of Headquarters Company, 35th CAB, the unsung heroes, it has been a pleasure and an honor to work beside you, and with you.”
After casing his brigade guidon, McLemore said,”My work here is done. I leave this mission in great hands. I have absolutely no worries as you will take this mission and move it forward to great, new heights.”
When contrasting this deployment with past combat tours, Col. Rick Adams, commander of the 36th CAB, said, “This is new ground for all of us in this cooperation/security/partnership realm of operating. Every one of us plays a role as ambassador as we move around the region.”
“We are ready for this mission. My brigade is highly energized,” said Adams.
With the transfer of authority complete, there was only one thing left to do: lower the Missouri flag in front of the brigade headquarters building, and hoist the Lone Star flag of Texas. The flag was then lowered to half-staff in honor of the victims of the Boston Marathon bombing.