Keynote speaker, Brig. Gen. Curtis King, 45th Chief and Commandant of the Air Defense Artillery School, gave a compelling State-of-the-Branch speech highlighting the Air Defense Artillery Branch’s doctrinal changes during the 2024 Fires Symposium, put on by the Air Defense Artillery and Field Artillery Associations from May 6-8 at the Apache Casino in Lawton, Oklahoma.
Students and guests gathered for the change of responsibility ceremony held for Chief Warrant Officer 5 Mitchell Brown, outgoing, and Chief Warrant Officer 5 Robert Balch, incoming, today at the Fires Center of Excellence and Snow Hall’s Kerwin Auditorium.
Since 2019, Chief Brown has held the position of Chief Warrant Officer of the Branch for Air Defense Artillery, overseeing the branch’s warrant officer cohort and implementing several changes during his over four-year tenure. Chief Brown thanked his family and friends during his exit speech.
“To see so many of my friends and mentors means a lot,” said Chief Brown. “First of all, to Samantha (his wife), without her support I wouldn’t be able to do this... through...
