Photo By Staff Sgt. Meiling Gray | Brig. Gen. James C. Ernst, Lt. Col. Joseph W. Bishop, Col. Jeffrey L. Copeland and...... read more read more
MORRISVILLE, N.C. – The North Carolina Army National Guard hosted a change of command ceremony for the 449th Theater Aviation Brigade at the Army Aviation Support Facility 1 in Morrisville, North Carolina, August 7, 2016.
Col. Jeffrey L. Copeland, who is moving on to Joint Force Headquarters as the Army Chief of Staff, handed over command to Lt. Col. Joseph W. Bishop, previously commander of 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion.
Brig. Gen. James C. Ernst, the assistant adjutant general for maneuver, was in attendance to provide words of encouragement for the outgoing and incoming commanders.
“We have never had a more trained, ready and responsive force. Hundreds of our 449th Guardsmen are combat veterans with valuable knowledge, leadership skills and technical expertise,” said Ernst.
Throughout its existence, the 449th has responded to numerous natural disasters, both within North Carolina and throughout the United States. Proving instrumental in providing aviation command, the 449th has been noteworthy during Hurricanes Fran, Floyd and Katrina.
“I conclude my aviation career today with great respect for the NC Aviation Team and proud to have been part of that team. I will miss the flying, I loved to fly and my time in command, but time flies when you are having fun,” said Copeland.
Copeland congratulated Bishop and emphasized his capabilities for his new role as commander.
“Lt. Col. Bishop is an experienced, capable aviator and compassionate leader with common sense. I am confident that as the incoming brigade commander he will continue to know what is happening, know what is not happening, and know what to do about it.”
Once taking the podium, Bishop recognized Maj. Gen Beth Austin, Brig. Gen. James Ernst and distinguished guests for attending. He then thanked all those in attendance, paying particular attention his family, wife and children, and read a quote by Winston Churchill.
“‘The reservist is twice the citizen’,” said Bishop. “We as citizen soldiers do not do it alone. It takes a big support system to do what we do, from our families and friends and employers.”
Bishop, who has served 18 years in the United State Army and Army National Guard, has served in multiple leadership positions at the battalion and brigade level and has deployed twice to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. As a Senior Army Aviator, he is qualified in the OH-58, AH-64A and AH-64D helicopters.
449th Theater Aviation Brigade last deployed in April 2009 to Iraq as the Multi-National Corps Combat Aviation Brigade, with responsibility for all fixed and rotary-wing aviation support of senior leadership, medical evacuation and air movement.
The 449th TAB was formed in 1986. The 449th is a dynamic organization with the capabilities to aid state and federal emergency response with air-lift support, aerial reconnaissance, search and rescue and mountain and water aerial rescue (NCHART), as well as counter-drug support to law enforcement agencies. It is the home to Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 2-151 Aviation (Security and Support); Charlie Company, 1-131st Aviation; 2-130th Aviation Operations Battalion and the 1-130th Apache helicopter Attack Reconnaissance Battalion.
| Date Taken: | 08.07.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.09.2016 13:55 |
| Story ID: | 206557 |
| Location: | MORRISVILLE, NC, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 312 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 449th TAB celebrates change of command, by SGT Lisa Vines, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT