Photo By 1st Lt. Caitlin Rourk | Maj. Gen. Samuel L. Henry, commander, 36th Infantry Division, hands the brigade flag...... read more read more
AUSTIN, Texas (July 14, 2018) – The 36th Combat Aviation Brigade conducted a change of command ceremony at the Austin Army Aviation Support Facility to welcome incoming commander, Col. Joanne E. MacGregor and to honor outgoing commander, Col. Ronald W. Burkett II.
MacGregor is making history in the aviation brigade by becoming the first female brigade commander, previously serving as a company and battalion commander within the brigade. When she was asked what motivates her to do this job, she confidently responded it was the soldiers.
“It's been approximately six years since I’ve been in command, and just in the first weekend - it was amazing how that invigorated me, just being with soldiers in a unit again,” said MacGregor. “That has always been where my passion lies. I gain energy from working with and supporting soldiers.”
MacGregor accepts command of an aviation brigade with a storied history. In July 18, 1917, the 36th Division was formed to fight in World War I, beginning in 1918. Twenty-five years later, on Sept. 9, 1943, it was the first U.S. division to land on the European continent to fight in World War II, in the Battle of Salerno, Italy. Since then, Task Force Mustangs has supported the war on terrorism with countless deployments to the Middle East, in addition to responding to many local disasters.
“It’s incredible the accomplishments 36th CAB has achieved since its inception, not only in combat, but also back here in the state. We're one of the first to the fight when it comes to civil support activities, whether it's a fire, flood, or a natural disaster,” said MacGregor. “We seamlessly go from fighting fires and rescuing people in floods, to mobilizing and conducting combat operations.”
The 36th Combat Aviation Brigade is part of the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas Army National Guard, and is headquartered in Austin. It is made up of three battalions within the state of Texas: the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion of the 149th Aviation Regiment, the 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion of the 149th Aviation Regiment, and the 449th Aviation Support Battalion. The 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Regiment headquartered in Mississippi and the 1st Battalion, 244th Aviation Regiment in Louisiana, as well as many other detachments spanning seven states and U.S. territories, fall under the 36th Combat Aviation Brigade. The brigade is focused on maintaining readiness, training and mobilizing soldiers in support of combat operations, natural disaster relief, and border security.
“The key to our success going forward is threefold: it's discipline in our rhythm, our preparation and our time management. We have so little time together in the National Guard and they're asking so much from us,” said MacGregor. “If we don't have well thought-out plans, we won’t have a good battle rhythm and time management, and therefore, won't be as efficient as we can be.”
MacGregor continues, “We want to make sure we give as much time to our families as we possibly can. They are gracious enough to lend us their loved ones so we have to make the most of that time.”
Burkett relinquishes command to MacGregor after leading the brigade through numerous significant events.
“I am not welcoming you to the CAB or back to the CAB. In reality, I don’t think you ever left it; it’s a part of who you are,” Burkett said to MacGregor. “I do welcome you to command. The brigade is whole, once again.”
Burkett accepted command in November 2016 and led the unit through many historic moments. In 2016, the brigade prepared the 2-149th GSAB and the 449th ASB for a deployment in support of Operations Spartan Shield and Inherent Resolve. Furthermore, they ensured one additional forward support medevac platoon was prepared to deploy on short notice. The 2-149th GSAB was recognized as the 2017 Army National Guard aviation unit of the year for their accomplishments in the Middle East.
In the fall of 2017, the aviation brigade was part of the largest Army National Guard aviation response to a disaster in the state of Texas, Hurricane Harvey. During this operation, the brigade organized into five aviation task forces, with aircraft from across the U.S. and from other nations. The result was one of the largest joint, inter-agency, inter-governmental, multi-national aviation efforts.
Burkett attributes the success of these missions to the “innovative and effective leadership across our formation,” he further explains they are “fully capable, confident, and mission focused leaders and soldiers.”
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| Date Taken: | 07.14.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.03.2018 15:12 |
| Story ID: | 287176 |
| Location: | AUSTIN, TX, US |
| Hometown: | AUSTIN, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 616 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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