9th BEB bids farewell to Looney, welcomes Brown

Photo By Sgt. Ashley Mendez | Col. Terry R. Tillis, center, commander of the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, passes the "Gila Battalion," 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion's colors to Lt. Col. Clinton Brown, left, incoming commander of the 9th BEB, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, during a change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, May 19, 2022. The passing of the colors signifies the transfer of command and with it the responsibility for the readiness and welfare of the 9th BEB's Soldiers and Families. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Ashley Mendez)  

FORT STEWART, GA, UNITED STATES

05.23.2022

Story by Staff Sgt. Justin McClarran 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. – The "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, kicked off one of several leadership changes happening in the brigade this summer on May 19 with Lt. Col. Brian T. Looney, outgoing commander of the "Gila Battalion," 9th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, relinquishing command to incoming commander Lt. Col. Clinton W. Brown during a change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart.

“The fighting spirit of being the 'First to Cross' is the essence of this organization for its sixty-three active years," said Looney. “‘Not Fancy, Just Tough,’ these Soldiers are Gila. Thank you to every Soldier on the field as all of you contribute to the success of this organization."

Looney’s commitment to continue the legacy of greatness in the Gila Battalion, was followed with results.

“Bryan Looney, you served as a commander that not only understands how to generate sustained readiness but to maximize the art of command by getting the formation to follow you," said Col. Terry R. Tillis, commander of the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, in his address during the ceremony. “We've asked you to directly spearhead multiple initiatives primarily within the Protection, Command and Control, and Intelligence Warfighting Functions where the battalion flourished, leaving an enduring impact on both the brigade and the division.”

In his closing remarks Tillis said, “We bid you farewell and thank you for the investment, your sacrifice and perspective, and your ability to accomplish the mission. We're super proud of you.”

Brown is an engineer officer, a native of Summerville, Georgia, and is a 2004 graduate of Georgia Southern University. His spouse and four children are no strangers to Fort Stewart and the Spartan Brigade.

"We're blessed to welcome the Browns,” Tillis said. “They're no strangers to the division. Clint served with distinction on the Division staff and was one of the very first Dogface Soldiers to execute their no-notice deployment forward to assist both XVIII Airborne Corps and V Corps in response to the invasion of Ukraine. Clint, we know you are the right family we need to lead this formation.”

Brown comes to the Spartan Brigade, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, after serving an assignment in 2021 as the division deputy operations officer for the 3rd ID. Prior to his division duty, Brown deployed in 2019 to Afghanistan in support of the Afghan training mission with the 2nd Security Forces Assistance Brigade at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and upon his return served as the Spartan Brigade, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, top operations officer in 2020.

“As we move forward together, we will do so with integrity as the baseline for our actions," said Brown. "We will act with purpose and intent. In these times of uncertainty, we must always be ready to fight. I am excited to join the Gila Family.”

Brown ended his speech with his head high saying “'First to Cross', 'Send Me' and 'Rock of the Marne'!"

• Date Taken: 05.23.2022
• Date Posted: 05.23.2022 12:15
• Story ID: 421095
• Location: FORT STEWART, GA, US
• Hometown: SUMMERVILLE, GA, US