504th Brigade welcomes new Commander

FAYETTEVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES

01.17.2019

Story by Sgt. Solomon Abanda 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, held a change of command ceremony on Jan. 15, 2019. The Brigade welcomed Col. Andrew O. Saslav and bid farewell to Col. Tobin A. Magsig. Col. Magsig served as the Brigade Commander from Mar. 2017 to Jan. 2019.
Family members, friends and Paratroopers from across the installation attended the ceremony as well as distinguished guests to include the former U.S. Army Chief of Staff (R), Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.
Col. Magsig, now the 54th commander of the Brigade, said it had been incredibly rewarding to be a part of such an incredibly, talented and committed team. The Paratroopers of the Devil Brigade are resilient in every circumstance.
"My wife and I have known the Saslav’s for years,” said Magsig. “We are tremendously excited they are taking over and we wish them the best during their time in the Devil Brigade.”
Incoming commander Col. Saslav said he believes his purpose as the Brigade commander is to set conditions that allow the Paratroopers to focus on training for large scale ground combat operations as well as allowing them to have quality time with their families.
The Brigade formed in May 1942, during World War II as part of the 82nd Abn. Div. and has served in war time missions such as Sicily, Italy, Anzio, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.
The 1st Brigade Combat Team, also known as the “Devils in Baggy Pants,” gained its nickname from a German Officer that was killed in action.
“American parachutists, devils in baggy pants, are less than a 100 meters from my outpost line,” wrote the officer. “I can't sleep at night. They pop up from nowhere, and we never know when or how they will strike next. It seems like the black-hearted devils are everywhere.”
“I am humbled to join their ranks,” said Saslav. “I have studied the Brigade's history, and watched the paratroopers perform on the modern battlefield and I look forward to serving alongside the Paratroopers of this historic Brigade Combat Team.”

• Date Taken: 01.17.2019
• Date Posted: 01.23.2019 11:23
• Story ID: 307312
• Location: FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US