Photo By Master Sgt. Mary Rose Mittlesteadt | Lt. Col. James C. Reese, incoming commander of the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense...... read more read more
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FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 101st Sustainment Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, participated in a change of command ceremony Wednesday, at the division parade field. During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Timothy R Shaffer, the outgoing battalion commander, relinquished command to Lt. Col. James C. Reese, the incoming commander.
The ceremony began with a traditional inspection of the troops by the outgoing commander in preparation for passing of the battalion’s colors. After the inspection, Command Sgt. Maj. Randy B. Gray, the keeper of the unit colors and the battalion’s senior enlisted adviser, passed the colors to Shaffer who then passed them to Col. Edward O’Neill, commander of the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, who then passed them on to the incoming commander, Reese. This act symbolized the responsibility for commanding the battalion by passing the colors from the outgoing commander to the incoming one.
The 108th ADA Bde. is the 2-44th ADA’s higher air defense headquarters stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Schaffer led the battalion for nearly two years. He took command on Aug. 2, 2013 and deployed the battalion to Afghanistan. The battalion also has begun the fielding of new technology that will complete the battalion’s transition from an Avenger air defense capability into an indirect fire protection capability for the Army.
“They [2-44th ADA] have established themselves as one of the best ADA battalions in our Army today,” O’Neill said. “Having been tried and tested multiple times over the last two years.”
The battalion executed two short notice train-ups and deployments during Shaffer’s command. The first was its B Battery that deployed to Afghanistan to establish the initial counter rocket, artillery, and mortar [C-RAM] intercept capability for the theater of Afghanistan. Then in the fall of 2013 the battalion followed behind its C Battery to support the C-RAM operations.
“They successfully deflected, intercepted and destroyed multiple rocket and mortar attacks from insurgents, while defending Bagram and forward Operating Bases Shank and Dalke,” O’Neill said.
The battalion’s accomplishments were not lost on the outgoing commander.
“This command has been the most challenging, difficult, rewarding and memorable assignment in my career,” Shaffer said. “I am hard-pressed to think of any other assignment I could have from here out that will top this.”
Shaffer welcomed Reese and his Family by telling them that the only constant in the Army is change, and that it is time for that change with him passing his command authority on to the incoming commander.
“I might be a bit biased, but you are joining the most agile, versatile, and capable air defense battalion in the Army,” he added. He closed up with a little guidance for his successor. “Grab tight and hold on, it is a heck of a ride. Enjoy it, it will be over before you know it.”
Reese addressed his new formation with only a few words.
“Command is a privilege, and I am personally humbled and honored to stand with the Soldiers of this battalion and I want to thank you all for what you continue to do every day to contribute to this unit’s long and distinguished history,” Reese said.
The ceremony concluded with a pass and review of the formation, as a symbol of the units precision and skills.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2015 13:57 |
| Story ID: | 168616 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US |
| Hometown: | FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 319 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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