185th Aviation Brigade welcomes new leadership

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Hamann | Lt. Col. James B. Haynie prepares to accept the 185th Aviation Brigade unit colors during a Change of Command ceremony March 4, 2017 at Hawkins Field in Jackson, Miss. "Passing the colors" symbolizes the transfer of authority as well as responsibility for the mission and the well-being of the brigade’s Soldiers. (Mississippi National Guard photo by Pvt. Jarvis Mace, 102d Public Affairs Detachment.)  

JACKSON, MS, UNITED STATES

03.04.2017

Courtesy Story

102d Public Affairs Detachment

JACKSON, Miss.– The 185th Aviation Brigade, Mississippi Army National Guard, conducted ceremonies to welcome their new commander and command sergeant major and say goodbye to the outgoing leaders.

Passing the colors, as the time honored change of command ceremony is known, symbolizes the transfer of authority and responsibility for the unit’s mission and the well-being of the brigade’s Soldiers. The change of responsibility ceremony, to emplace a new command sergeant major, symbolizes the importance upon which a command places the position of the senior non-commissioned officer.

Lt. Col. James B. Haynie, a New Orleans native, assumed command of the brigade from Col. Ronald L. Beckham, from Oxford, Miss., who praised the unit and its members in his farewell address.

“This was the highest honor of my career, being associated with 185th Aviation Brigade,” said Beckham. “I can confidently say within this unit are some of the most dedicated, intelligent, and professional Soldiers in the military.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Fredrick Roundtree, from Kosciusko, Miss., assumed the position of command sergeant major of the brigade from Command Sgt. Maj. Willie H. Ross, from Florence, Miss.

Ross, who served in the brigade for 41 years, said in his farewell speech that it was time to move on, adding that it was bittersweet to be leaving the best Soldiers he’s ever worked with.

The new command team intends to focus on the unit’s mission to efficiently support wartime missions and stateside emergencies, while training to perform safely when called to duty.

“Readiness is job one for us,” said Haynie. “We have to be available when the call goes up for our nation and do what aviation does best.”

“I will keep the flame burning in the brigade and to keep the Soldiers safe and out of harm’s way to the best of my ability,” said Roundtree.

• Date Taken: 03.04.2017
• Date Posted: 03.05.2017 19:46
• Story ID: 225747
• Location: JACKSON, MS, US
• Hometown: FLORENCE, MS, US
• Hometown: JACKSON, MS, US
• Hometown: KOSCIUSKO, MS, US
• Hometown: NEW ORLEANS, LA, US
• Hometown: OXFORD, MS, US