SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade “Wings of Lightning” soldiers welcomed a new commander during the 25th CAB change of command ceremony here Tuesday.
Col. Frank Tate, outgoing 25th CAB commander, passed his command of the CAB to Col. Kenneth Hawley, incoming 25th CAB commander.
Tate, who took command of the 25th CAB in Oct. 2010, led the brigade in the train up, implementation and deployment of the brigade in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“It has been a tremendous honor to lead these soldiers into combat once again,” said Tate, originally from Charlotte, N.C. “It was great receiving feedback from young infantrymen and their leaders about all the support they received from the CAB and the repeatedly expressed gratitude for us living up to our motto, ‘We fly for the troops.’ One of the few things that softens leaving the unit is leaving it with a great team, old friends, a great Army family, and a great combat leader Col. Kenneth Hawley.”
Tate has spent more than ten years serving in various positions in the 25th Infantry Division. He held such positions as the 25th ID chief of plans, operations officer for 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, operations officer and deputy commanding officer for the 25th CAB, and commander of 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment. He completed four deployments with the 25th ID.
Tate’s next assignment will be in the Pentagon as the director of force development for aviation. Hawley is coming to the 25th CAB from the Naval War College, where he served as an instructor.
“I am excited about commanding the 25th CAB knowing the Soldiers and their accomplishments,” said Hawley, originally from Ludlow, Mass.
Hawley is no stranger to the 25th CAB as he commanded 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment from 2007 to 2010.
“It felt like home to me when I stepped off the plane. This is my first time back to the same location,” said Hawley.