The 601st Aviation Support Battalion Welcomes Lt. Col. Russell Vanderlugt

Photo By Sgt. Joseph Knoch | Lt. Col. Russell Vanderlugt, incoming commander of the 601st Aviation Support Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, receives the guidon signaling the beginning of his command during a change of command ceremony, on Sept. 27, 2019, Illesheim, Germany. Vanderlugt has a distinguished military background which ranges from a Masters of Science in Aviation Enterprise Management, to serving as an Assistant Professor of History at West Point.  

ILLESHEIM, GERMANY

09.27.2019

Story by Spc. Joseph Knoch 

5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment   

ILLESHEIM, Germany -- Soldiers on rotation with the 601st Aviation Support Battalion (601st ASB), 1st Combat Aviation Brigade (1st CAB), greeted Lt. Col. Russell Vanderlugt, the incoming Battalion Commander, at a change of command ceremony held Sept. 27, 2019, in Illesheim, Germany.

Originally constituted as Delta Company, 501st ASB (Combat) on Aug. 21,1972, the 601st ASB has been redesignated twice since its inception. Today it stands as the 601st ASB, and is the largest battalion within 1st CAB.

“As they have recently shown during this deployment and on missions like Saber Junction 2019, the 601st is essential to everything we do as a Combat Aviation Brigade.” Said Col. Bryan Chivers, 1st CAB Commander.

Chivers recognized the brigade for its accomplishments during his opening address, noting that on this rotation, the brigade has completed a total of 17 phases; including five AH-64 Apache helicopter inspections, three CH-47 Chinook helicopter inspections, and nine UH-60 PMI-1 and PMI-2 inspections, resulting in thirteen thousand flight hours.

“I’m humbled to lead one of our country's finest and most critical formations.” Vanderlugt said. “We, the 601st ASB, are ready to fight and win by sustaining and regenerating 1st CAB’s combat power making all other aviation missions possible.”

A Distinguished Military Graduate of Wheaton College, Vanderlugt commissioned in 2000 as an Aviation Officer, and was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004 - 2005 and 2007- 2008, where he received his first assignment as a company commander.

As the 601st ASBs new commander, he will be leading a battalion which is responsible for delivering a diverse range of services to support brigade operations, to include: aircraft maintenance, brigade wide communications, and food service support.

Vanderlugt assumes command at a time of transition for the 601st ASB as they prepare to redeploy along with the rest of the 1st CAB back to Ft. Riley, Kansas, in mid to late October.

For the 601st ASB, this rotation has enabled them to conduct valuable training at the battalion level. The battalion has had the opportunity to assist and support NATO allies and partners during training missions throughout Europe.

They purified and supplied fresh drinking water to over 900 Soldiers through the use of their Tactical Water Purification System during the Bulgarian hosted, Strike Back 19, June 6-20, 2019. .

Over the course of their entire rotation Soldiers in the Supply Support Activity Platoon, played an important role in the U.S. Army’s European supply network by maintaining a strategic hub of parts to help keep U.S. Army helicopters flying across Europe.

The continuous work which 601st ASB has done in support of Atlantic Resolve has made for a busy deployment. As the battalion wraps up this chapter of their journey, Vanderlugt has a chance to hit the ground running along with his troops who are already hard at work packing their equipment in preparation for their trip back home.

“Russ, you are the right person for the right job, right now. We are glad to have you as a leader, and look forward to the days ahead.” Chivers said.

• Date Taken: 09.27.2019
• Date Posted: 10.02.2019 04:49
• Story ID: 344629
• Location: ILLESHEIM, DE