Oklahoma's 180th Cavalry honors one commander, welcomes another

Photo By Staff Sgt. Anthony Jones | Col. Christopher Chomosh, commander, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, passes the 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment's colors to Lt. Col. Khalid Hussein, of Edmond, Oklahoma, signifying Hussein taking command of the squadron in a ceremony in McAlester, Oklahoma, on Jan. 12, 2019. (U.S. National Guard photo by Sgt. Anthony Jones)  

MCALESTER, OK, UNITED STATES

01.12.2019

Story by Sgt. Anthony Jones 

45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

MCALESTER, Okla. - Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, held the time-honored traditions of a change of command ceremony to welcome incoming commander, Lt. Col. Khalid Hussein, and honor outgoing commander Lt. Col. Michael Urrutia, on Jan. 12.

The squadron recently returned from a nine-month deployment to Kabul, Afghanistan where the troopers served alongside Soldiers from the U.K., Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Finland and Estonia, and were responsible for advisor force protection and security support operations throughout Kabul.

“I could not be more proud and I am forever indebted,” Urrutia told the troopers about their time in Afghanistan. “You raised the bar and redefined excellence. You are truly the example of selfless service.”

Urrutia, of Edmond, Oklahoma, also took time to thank the troopers’ families saying he will forever be thankful for their love, support and the sacrifices they made, allowing the Soldiers to focus on performing their mission.

Urrutia joined the Army in 1987 and served three years on Active Duty before joining the California Army National Guard. Since joining the Oklahoma Army National Guard in August 2002, Urrutia has held multiple positions including commander of Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, executive officer of 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment, and the operations officer of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Urrutia has deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan and participated in various domestic operations.

Col. Christopher Chomosh, commander of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, said Urrutia’s professionalism is unmatched, adding the best Soldiers and leaders are often rewarded with the hardest missions. Urrutia’s next mission will be an assignment as the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s operations officer.

After praising Urrutia’s time in command, Chomosh told the 180th troopers Hussein is one of the best officers the 45th has. “He will make the 180th a better place and prepared for whatever the future holds,” Chomosh said.

Hussein, of Edmond, Oklahoma, enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in April 1994 and served as an infantry rifleman until he attened officer candidate school and received his commission in April 1999. He has served as a rifle platoon leader; commander of Company C, 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment; operations officer for both the 45th Brigade Special Troops Battalion and the 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment; bilateral affairs officer, U.S. Embassy, Baku, Azerbaijan; Combat Training Center development officer, Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine and rear detachment commander, 1st Squadron, 180th Cavalry Regiment.

“I am excited, honored and humbled to be here,” Hussein said. “I look forward to the challenging training ahead and I know the leaders and troopers of the 180th are second to none. We are the eyes and ears of the brigade and success depends on our knowledge of our field craft.”

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• Date Taken: 01.12.2019
• Date Posted: 01.17.2019 13:14
• Story ID: 306877
• Location: MCALESTER, OK, US
• Hometown: EDMOND, OK, US