Photo By Spc. Christopher Moorehead | U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees, left, 25th Infantry Division and U.S. Army...... read more read more
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FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines — The 3rd Mobile Brigade (MBDE), 25th Infantry Division, known as Bronco Brigade, held a change of command ceremony May 25, 2026 in the Philippines following the completion of Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center Exportable Exercise, marking the end of Col. Adisa T. King's tenure as brigade commander and the beginning of Col. David A. Brunais' as he leads them through the completion of exercise Salakanib 2026.
For King, the setting was fitting. His change of command ceremonies have consistently taken place in a forward environment, a pattern that is not coincidence, but character. To hold the ceremony not in a garrison formation back in Hawaii, but forward alongside partner nations after a demanding multinational exercise, is a statement about what King believes command should look like.
He never watched from a distance. During Salakanib 2026, King was out in the field with his Soldiers. Not as a figurehead checking blocks, but as a commander for whom presence is a key part of leadership.
Salakanib is a training exercise that tests combat readiness through tough realistic training scenarios where 3rd MBDE and Indo-Pacific partner nations develop strategies to address emerging threats, reinforcing the security posture of the Indo-Pacific Region. During the exercise, King led from the front and was present with his soldiers. Relentlessly motivating them and encouraging them to be the best.
“I saw you in the jungle of Hawaii, I saw you in the jungle of Indonesia, I saw you in the jungle of the Philippines. I saw you dominate! The enemy does not know who we are, they don't know what you are capable of. The enemy doesn't want to meet us,” King said, addressing the brigade in his farewell speech.
That same energy showed up every year during Tropic Lightning Week, where King became the Broncos' loudest and most recognizable supporter, whistle in hand, pushing his Soldiers with the kind of enthusiasm that made it clear he was not just leading the brigade. He was proud of it.
And then there was the callout. Anyone who served under King knows it: "Hands free, give me two claps and a Rick Flair!" It became a signature, a rallying cry that cut through the noise of any formation and reminded Soldiers that their commander was fully present and fully invested.
“He is a natural warfighter. He brings out the best of his lightfighters through sheer devotion and willpower. He led them through Salakanib, the most impactful deployment of 3rd MBDE in a decade,” said Maj. Gen. James Bartholomees, commander of the 25th Infantry Division, speaking of Col. King.
"He pushed us to be our best, and he was always right there with us doing it. That is just who Col. King is," said Cpl. Artiom Frihauf, a Soldier assigned to Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade.
King departs the Broncos leaving behind a formation that is more capable, more cohesive, and more confident than when he arrived 2 years ago.
The exchange of colors, which serves as the formal transfer of command authority, took place before an assembled formation of Broncos, 25th ID soldiers and partner nation representatives. Assuming command is Col. David A. Brunais, formally the 25th Infantry Division Chief of Staff. He inherits a brigade fresh off one of its most demanding rotations of the year and ready to move forward with a new leader at the helm.
| Date Taken: | 05.25.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 05.28.2026 09:36 |
| Story ID: | 566085 |
| Location: | PH |
| Web Views: | 41 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Broncos Pass the Colors: Col. King Hands Command to Col. Brunais in the Philippines, by SPC Justin Hicks, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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