Photo By Staff Sgt. Bryan Henson | Col. Michael Ball, the incoming commander of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne),...... read more read more
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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - Families, friends and Soldiers of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) gathered under clear blue Florida skies to witness the reins of the Red Empire change hands.
Maj. Gen. Darsie Rogers, 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne) (Provisional) commanding general, presided over the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) change of command ceremony where Col. Michael Ball took command from Col. Christopher Riga held here June 18.
After exchanging the unit colors, symbolizing the official passage of command, the outgoing and incoming commanders addressed the crowd.
In his remarks, Riga took time to thank the Soldiers for their efforts while maintaining a high operational tempo and multiple deployments in support of national security objectives.
"There is no SOF unit that has paid a higher price in Afghanistan than the 7th Special Forces Group," added Riga, alluding to the 44 members of 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) who made the ultimate sacrifice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Upon assuming command of the storied unit, Ball took an opportunity to address the Soldiers that he will lead for the next few years.
"I cannot think of a more dedicated and combat capable unit to serve with than the 7th Special Forces Group," said Ball.
"The Soldiers of this group are the finest that our nation has to offer, they stand prepared to do anything, at any time, at any place," he added.
Ball graduated from the United States Military Academy and was commissioned as a field artillery officer in 1991. He served in various leadership positions in the Field Artillery branch before graduating from the Special Forces Qualification Course in 1997.
As a Special Forces officer, Ball has served at all levels of leadership, from detachment commander to his most recent assignment as the deputy commander for 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Ball shared his vision and expectations for the future.
"To the Officers, NCOs and Soldiers of the Red Empire, my guidance to you is simple, succeed despite," said Ball. "That is what those who have come before us and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice expect of us."
| Date Taken: | 06.19.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.19.2015 13:57 |
| Story ID: | 167339 |
| Location: | EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 605 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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