Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    Amherst National Guard officer takes command of Buffalo Battalion

    Amherst National Guard officer takes command of Buffalo Battalion

    Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Michael Murphy. (Courtesy photo)... read more read more

    BUFFALO, NY, UNITED STATES

    06.21.2013

    Courtesy Story

    New York National Guard

    BUFFALO, N.Y. - Lt. Col. Jamey Barcomb, a veteran of the war in Iraq and an Amherst resident, takes command of the New York Army National Guard's 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion on Saturday during a ceremony at the Connecticut Street Armory.

    Barcomb replaces Lt. Col. Michael Murphy, an Iraq veteran who led the battalion during its 2012 deployment to Kuwait. Murphy, a full-time member of the National Guard, has been selected to attend the prestigious Army War College in Carlisle, Pa.

    WHO: Lt. Col. Jamey Barcomb, the incoming commander; Lt. Col. Michael Murphy, the outgoing commander; Lt., Col. Joseph Biehler, the commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team; and the Soldiers of the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB).

    WHAT: Traditional Change-of-Command Ceremony to formally recognize the transfer of authority in the 27th BSTB from Murphy to Barcomb.

    WHEN: 1 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013.

    WHERE: New York State Armory, 184 Connecticut Street, Buffalo NY 14213

    Coverage Opportunities:

    Video and still imagery of soldiers in formation and the transfer of the brigade colors from Lt. Col. Michael Murphy to Lt. Col. Jamey Barcomb. There will be an opportunity to interview both incoming and outgoing commanders.

    Members of the media wishing to cover the ceremony must contact Sgt. 1st Class James White at 716-812-5559 for access to this secure military facility.

    Background

    The Change of Command:

    The Change of Command Ceremony dates back to the days in which a military unit's flag marked its position in the line of battle. The colors were always near the commander, so troops knew where to rally on the battlefield.

    Today the transfer of the colors marks a change in the unit and givens the soldiers their first opportunity to see and hear their new leader. The change of command ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of the outgoing commander and the Soldiers who served under him.

    In addition, the ceremony identifies the new commander to the soldiers, so they can follow him on the field of battle.

    In the ceremony the outgoing commander hands the unit's flag, or colors, to the brigade commander. That commander, in-turn, passes them to the incoming commander, signifying the passing of responsibility for the unit. Finally the new commander returns the colors to the battalion sergeant major, the custodian of the flag who represents the soldiers of the battalion.

    Lieutenant Colonel Jamey Barcomb:

    Lt. Col. Jamey Barcomb was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer and began military service in May 1992. He has served on active duty, and as a member of the United States Army Reserve (USAR), as well as in the New York Army National Guard.

    Barcomb has held positions as a battery fire direction officer, company fire support officer, platoon leader, battalion maintenance officer, battalion fire direction officer, battalion fire support officer, division plans officer, company commander, battalion adjutant, assistant brigade operations officer and division effects officer.

    His last assignment was the 42nd Division information operations officer.

    In 2004, while assigned as a member of the Army Reserve's 98th Division, he deployed to Iraq and served as a Military Transition Team leader embedded with an Iraqi Infantry Battalion. In October 2006, Barcomb transferred from the Army Reserve to the Army National Guard.

    As a member of the National Guard he participated in Yama Sakuara-57, an overseas training event in Japan in 2009 and mobilized in response to both hurricanes Irene and Sandy.

    Barcomb is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms Staff Service School, Joint Operations Fires and Effects Course, Intermediate Level Education, the Support Operations Officer Course, the US Army Information Operations Officer Course, Airborne School and Air Assault School.

    Barcomb was born in Albany, N.Y., and graduated from Christian Brothers Academy High School in 1988. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business from Niagara University in 1992 and a Masters in Business Administration from Canisius College in 2008.

    Barcomb's awards include the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Overseas Training Ribbon, N.Y. Exercise Support Ribbon, N.Y. Humane Service Medal, Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Combat Action Badge.

    In his civilian career, Barcomb is a compliance section chief with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. He and his wife Colleen live in Amherst, N.Y., with their children, Michael, Laura and Thomas.

    Lt. Col. Michael Murphy:

    Lt. Col. Mike Murphy was commissioned in the field artillery May 15, 1992. Past assignments within the 27th Infantry Brigade include platoon leader and company commander for the 1-105th Infantry Battalion and operations officer for the 1-69th Infantry Battalion.

    In the past 19 years, Murphy deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the commander of the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. Murphy has also deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom with Headquarters, 1-69th Infantry Battalion, and served as the initial Task Force S-4 during Operation Noble Eagle – security support at United States military facilities - from September to November 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

    Murphy also served as the Battalion Task Force supply officer during Exercise Northern Ice in Kevlavik, Iceland, in 1998, as an Infantry Company Commander for Exercise Mulberry Tree in Salisbury, England, in 2003, and as an Infantry Battalion operations officer during Exercise Orient Shield in Japan in 2008. He served as the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team operations officer from April 2010 until February 2012 when he assumed command of the 27th BSTB.

    Murphy is a graduate of the Armor Officer Basic, Infantry Officer Advanced, Engineer Officer Advanced courses and the US Army Command and General Staff College for Intermediate Learning Education (ILE.) Murphy is a 1991 graduate of Siena College where he majored in Political Science.

    His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon with Oak Leaf Cluster, Humanitarian Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with "M" device, Combat Infantry Badge, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Iraq Campaign Medal.

    Murphy lives in East Greenbush and has two children: a daughter Ellen, 12, and son Dennis, 10.

    27th Infantry Brigade Special Troops Battalion:

    The 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion is comprised of specialist units, combat engineers, military police, signal soldiers, military intelligence Soldiers and other specialists which support the combat battalions of the 27th Brigade Combat Team.

    Members of the battalion served in Afghanistan with the 27th Brigade Combat Team in 2008. Their mission was to train the Afghan National Army and Police. In 2012, members of the battalion deployed to Kuwait in support of United States military operations in that country.

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.21.2013
    Date Posted: 06.21.2013 13:37
    Story ID: 109052
    Location: BUFFALO, NY, US
    Hometown: AMHERST, NY, US
    Hometown: EAST GREENBUSH, NY, US

    Web Views: 573
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN