Photo By Michael Armstrong | U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Sean B. MacFarland, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss commanding...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - The 212th Fires Brigade bid farewell to outgoing commander Col. David M. Hamilton, and welcomed incoming commander Col. Heyward G. Hutson III during a change-of-command ceremony at the 1st Armored Division Parade Field here July 2.
After taking command in August 2011, Hamilton immediately developed effective systems, built combat power, and worked with the installation command to ensure the brigade had the facilities it needed. He also guided the brigade through Blue Flag 13-1, a joint fires exercise with the Air Force, and the first Excalibur live-fire outside of the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., and combat.
“David and his team developed a fires brigade that is second to none in a very short period of time,” Maj. Gen. Sean B. MacFarland, 1AD and Fort Bliss commanding general, said. “To consider that this brigade did not even exist here at Fort Bliss two years ago, it’s amazing given all that they have done, and all that they are capable of doing in support of our maneuver forces.”
“David thank you so much for your leadership,” MacFarland said.”Your Soldiers will never forget you. By standing up this brigade, you made a historic contribution to this installation and the 1st Armored Division. Good Luck to you at Harvard. I know you will represent the Army there with distinction.”
Hamilton, who is leaving here to serve as an Army Senior Fellow at Harvard University’s Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, thanked everyone in attendance, told his Soldiers that they were the finest people he has ever served with during his military career, and shared a message with his replacement.
“Heyward, you’re absolutely the right leader,” Hamilton said. “I know you’re ready to lead right now and take the brigade to the next level. I know you’ll find great joy and satisfaction every day; especially tomorrow, when you wake up and realize you command great Soldiers.”
As the former chief of lethal fires for U.S. Army Central/Third Army and National Security Fellow at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, Hutson brings a wealth of experience to the brigade.
He concluded the event by thanking everyone in attendance and congratulating his new soldiers for their efforts during the ceremony.
“You all are a true testament to the professionalism of the fires community,” Hutson said. “I sincerely look forward to working with all of you over the next 24 months.”
The 212th Fires Bde. synchronizes and executes combined and joint fires and effects, integrates attached ground and air maneuver forces, and on order functions as a maneuver headquarters in support of full spectrum operations.
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2013 12:45 |
| Story ID: | 109846 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 177 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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