Forward-deployed artillery brigade changes command in Korea

Photo By Master Sgt. Brandon Bednarek | Members of the 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, color guard render honors to the nation’s colors during the brigade’s change of command ceremony June 26, 2015 at the Camp Casey, South Korea. The ceremony marked the official transition of command between Col. Michael J. Lawson, outgoing, and Col. Christopher P. Taylor, the brigade’s new commander.  

CAMP CASEY, SOUTH KOREA

06.26.2015

Story by Sgt. Brandon Bednarek 

210th Field Artillery Brigade

CAMP CASEY, South Korea - The storms of weather in Dongducheon were fitting ambiance for the 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, who conducted a change of command ceremony June 26 between its former and incoming commanders.

Originally slated for an outdoor venue, the traditional military ceremony was forced indoors due to inclement weather; providing a symbolic parallel to the brigade’s “Thunder” tactical call sign and unit motto.

The brigade’s former commander, Col. Michael J. Lawson, formally relinquished command to Col. Christopher P. Taylor after completing a two-year stint helming the U.S. Army’s only field artillery brigade in Korea.

Prior to assuming command of the brigade in 2013, Lawson spent a fair amount of time with the Second Infantry Division here in Korea, having previously served as a battalion fire direction officer in 1994 and the division’s chief of plans in 2003.

“Col. Lawson has left his mark on the officers and Soldiers of the 210th Field Artillery Brigade,” said Maj. Gen. Theodore Martin, commanding general of the Second Infantry Division.

“They are the largest, most well-equipped, most physically fit, disciplined and most tactically proficient field artillery brigade in the United States Army,” he said, contributing those accomplishments to Lawson’s superior leadership as a commander.

The forward-deployed unit has been a fixture on the Korean Peninsula for nearly a decade and provides the Korea – U.S. alliance with critical counter-fire capabilities through its long-range Multiple Launch Rocket Systems.

During his tenure, Lawson led the brigade through several command post and live-fire exercises alongside Republic of Korea Army units that fostered combined interoperability and combat effectiveness among alliance partners.

“From [Third Republic of Korea Army] headquarters to the [Combined Joint Fires Element], we’ve had great opportunities to interact with our Korean leaders to learn, train and improve our understanding of the challenges of the mission,” said Lawson.

It was through that shared understanding and partner capacity that the brigade was able to fulfill its commitment to the Korean people and maintain peace on the peninsula, he said.

Lawson and his family will soon depart Korea en route to his next assignment as the director of the Chairman’s Office of Reintegration at the Pentagon in D.C.

“There are so many people that have made our experiences here in Korea so richly rewarding,” said Lawson. “We’ll always treasure these days in Korea knowing we helped make a difference in Soldiers’ lives and showed that there is joy in the hardship of Soldiering.”

As for Taylor, a Killingworth, Connecticut native, the position as brigade commander offers another opportunity to once again excel under Martin’s leadership. The two previously served together when Martin commanded the 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division through an Iraq deployment from 2007 to 2009.

“Colonel Taylor and I go way back to Operation Iraqi Freedom ’07-’09, where I had the pleasure of seeing this brave warrior in action on the battlefield of Southern Baghdad,” said Martin.

Taylor’s professionalism, sterling reputation and extensive combat experience in both Iraq and Afghanistan make him the ideal choice to lead the Army’s most lethal field artillery brigade, said Martin.

“The diversity and talent of the Soldiers and leaders, combined with the mission, make this unit one-of-a-kind and we are privileged to be a part of it,” said Taylor, who will be accompanied by his wife, Kirsten.

“It is an honor to once again be part of a team that has a history of answering our nation’s call and is ready to do it again and fight tonight”, said Taylor.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2015
• Date Posted: 06.28.2015 23:15
• Story ID: 168446
• Location: CAMP CASEY, KR
• Hometown: KILLINGWORTH, CT, US