Mustangs welcome new command team

4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs
Story by Sgt. Amanda Rengifo

Date: 02.06.2014
Posted: 02.11.2014 10:57
News ID: 120446
Mustangs welcome new command team

FORT STEWART, Ga. – On a crisp and chilly Georgia morning Lt. Col. Justin Hadley and Command Sgt. Maj. Lemuel Powell relinquished command of 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, to Lt. Col. David “Scott” Sentell and Command Sgt. Maj. Craig Copridge during a ceremony held on Cottrell Field, Fort Stewart, Ga., Feb 6.
Hadley commanded the Mustang Squadron for more than two years. His combat experience spans over fifty-two months in a variety of positions in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Enduring Freedom. More recently, he served as the commander for the Mustang Squadron during their deployment to Afghanistan last year.

Col. Kimo Gallahue, a Frankfort, Ky., native, and the Vanguard Brigade commander, said he was grateful to have both Hadley and Powell as leaders of the Mustang Squadron.

“You have performed magnificently,” he said. “Thank you for leading these soldiers with confidence and honor. Your tireless volunteer efforts and support of your family cannot go without a heartfelt public expression of gratitude.”

“Maj. Gen. Murray and Col. Gallahue, thank you for allowing me to command the only light reconnaissance battalion-sized force in this great Marne Division,” said Hadley. “It has truly been an honor and a privilege, and one that I have enjoyed each and every day.”

“Command sergeant major, you have and will always share a special part, a special place in our family,” said Hadley, as he addressed Powell, his enlisted adviser with the Mustang Squadron.

“Thank you for all of your devotion to our cavalrymen and most importantly the friendship we shared.”

“I would be remiss if did not add the greater Fort Stewart community as they immensely supported the squadron,” said Hadley. “It would be impossible for me to properly express my appreciation to the countless organizations, agencies, citizens and members of our community that thanklessly assisted in our unit’s readiness and our families’ welfare.”

After the click of a saber and the passing of the colors, Gallahue said Copridge and Sentell now led the formation. “Lt. Col. Scott Sentell, Command Sgt. Maj. Copridge, you will be a perfect fit for this squadron. Both are an imminently qualified, responsible command and arrived with absolutely incredible combat resumes and remarkable leadership experience.”

Sentell graduated from the United States Military Academy in May 1997, and was commissioned as an Armor Officer. Later, after completing an initial assignment with 1st Battalion, 32nd Armor Regiment at Fort Lewis, Wa., Sentell completed the Armor Captain’s Career Course and was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas. Later, he went on to hold a variety of positions at Fort Hood, Fort Riley, Kan. and Fort Leavenworth, Kan. before he was assigned to the Marne Division in late 2013.

“Mustangs, congratulations on a job well done in a tough mission in Afghanistan,” said Sentell, as he addressed the formation for the first time as their commander.