FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldiers of Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, gathered as their battalion commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Tedesco, and senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Major Keith Moore, cased the battalion’s colors one final time during a deactivation ceremony at Fort Carson, Colo., Jan. 23.
The next day, the same “Fit For Any Test” Soldiers, now members of the new Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Inf. Div., mustered to bid Tedesco farewell, and welcome their new battalion commander, Lt. Col. Brad Wambeke, during a change of command ceremony at Waller Physical Fitness Center,
During the ceremony, Col. Bruce Antonia, chief of staff, 4th Inf. Div., thanked Tedesco for his 35 months of outstanding leadership during a period of great transition for the DSTB.
Shortly after Tedesco took command, he cased the DSTB colors at Fort Hood, unfurling them at Fort Carson. After settling into their new home, the DSTB soldiers prepared for deployment. Following months of training, Tedesco led the battalion during a year-long deployment to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn.
“It’s no secret the demands and challenges associated with commanding a DSTB, but Matt certainly was the right leader for the job,” said Antonia. “He did an extraordinary job; taking a diverse selection of individuals and transforming them into a highly functioning, cohesive and competent team.”
Tedesco credited his success as a battalion commander to the officers, non-commissioned officers and Soldiers who accomplished the unit’s mission everyday.
“It is hard to believe that nearly three years have passed since taking command,” Tedesco said. “I am very proud of the accomplishments of the Fit For Any Test Battalion, because the soldiers of this great battalion made the impossible possible through their dedication and hard work. Commanding this battalion and its soldiers has been the best experience of my 20-year career in the Army.”
The newly designated HHBN will continue to flourish under the guidance of Wambeke and the support of his wife, Denise, said Antonia.
“As we transition this important command, it is clear the Army made a great choice in selecting Lt. Col. Brad and Denise Wambeke,” Antonia said. “I know they are exactly the kind of command team that will carry on the great work and caring leadership passed on from Matt and Cari.”
The DSTB’s reputation of excellence will continue as the soldiers of the re-designated HHBN continue to support the mission of the “Ivy” Division leadership, said Wambeke.
“I am thrilled and humbled to be standing here today,” Wambeke said. “Please know that I will do my absolute best to care for you, and build upon the solid reputation this battalion has developed under the leadership of the Tedescos.”
While the mission of the HHBN will stay the same, reflagging the Fit For Any Test Battalion represents the interdependent relationship between the HHBN and the 4th Inf. Div. command, said Tedesco.
“Today marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of a new one in the proud history of the Fit For Any Test Battalion,” he said. “The re-designation of the battalion from the Division Special Troops Battalion to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion links the battalion directly to the heritage of the 4th Inf. Div.”
Tedesco explained that while the DSTB maintained an autonomous history from the division, the HHBN now shares the heritage of the 4th Inf. Div. headquarters.
“Today we became a part of the division itself,” Tedesco said. “That is the reason why this new battalion doesn’t have streamers; we share the same as the division itself. This draws us closer to the division we support.”