Photo By Capt. Kayla Christopher | Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat...... read more read more
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YAVORIV, Ukraine – Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team gathered today with family, friends and distinguished guests to celebrate the career of out-going commander, Lt. Col. Colby Wyatt, and welcome new commander, Maj. Adam Headrick, during a change of command ceremony held at the Yavoriv Combat Training Center on the International Peacekeeping and Security Center, near Yavoriv, Ukraine, on June 17.
The Tomahawk Battalion is currently deployed to Ukraine in support of the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine, an international coalition dedicated to professionalizing the Ukrainian army and building the Yavoriv Combat Training Center.
Wyatt, whose 27 years of service includes two deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, began his career in the Oklahoma Army National Guard as a private in the 1st Bn., 179th Infantry Regt.
In a heartfelt farewell to his troops, Wyatt expressed how his time in command and his experiences in Ukraine have changed him.
"This experience has opened my eyes to a world I would have never known or understood," Wyatt said. "It has made me a more tolerant person, more understanding to the people around me and more caring to the world events that do indeed affect us at home. I pray that you have the same experiences and God bless you for the Soldiers you are."
Wyatt's next assignment will be at the Air War College.
Headrick, a native of Stillwater, Oklahoma, commissioned through ROTC at Oklahoma State University. His first position as an officer was as a platoon leader with Delta Company 1st Bn., 179th Inf. Regt. He later transferred to the New York National Guard where, among several notable assignments, he served at Ground Zero after the 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.
After transferring back to the Oklahoma National Guard, Headrick commanded Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 279th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from 2010-2012 and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
In his first address after assuming command of the 1st Bn., 179th Inf. Regt., Headrick said, “I’d like to express my gratitude for the leadership Lt. Col. Wyatt has provided to this battalion over the past three years. I’ve had the privilege of serving as his operations officer and his executive officer during his time in command, and I know that I am receiving a battalion which is ready for any challenge it faces.”
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2017 13:59 |
| Story ID: | 238320 |
| Location: | YAVORIV, UA |
| Hometown: | NORMAN, OK, US |
| Hometown: | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US |
| Hometown: | STILLWATER, OK, US |
| Hometown: | TULSA, OK, US |
| Web Views: | 418 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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