GRAFENWOEHR, Germany— Lt. Col. James Maxwell relinquished command of the 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, 'Longknife 'Squadron,' to Lt. Col. William Bowers, marked by a ceremony at the Tower Barracks Physical Fitness Center in Grafenwoehr, Germany, March 17.
The ceremony included the ceremonial passing of the squadron colors to signify the formal transfer of authority between the commanders, and speeches from each commander, to include the brigade commander, Col. David Gardner, who presided over the ceremony.
Prior to the start of the ceremony, Gardner presented Maxwell a Meritorious Service Medal for his service and achievements as the squadron commander.
During his speech Maxwell talked about how proud he was of his unit and their accomplishments both in the U.S. and while deployed.
"All the accolades and all the credit for the incredible things this cavalry squadron accomplished belong to the officers, noncommissioned officers and troopers of the squadron; too many to thank by name,” said Maxwell. "You are the ones that worked late, hung the parts, qualified your crews and platoons, counseled your troopers, trained hard, and made everything happen."
Maxwell said three of the most significant achievements he was proud his squadron completed while deployed were conducting two rapid response exercises to Latvia and Lithuania; performing the brigade’s first combined live fire exercise after 12 days of their equipment arrival to Europe; and executing large-scale bilateral training exercises with Polish forces that included a combined arms maneuver and live fire exercise.
Maxwell’s next assignment will be as an instructor at the Command and General Staff College in Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.
Bowers, who was previously a professor of military science at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, said he was looking forward to working with the Soldiers of 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt.
"I appreciate the support you have already shown me,” said Bowers. I look forward to times to come and what this squadron will accomplish over the next couple of years.
5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt. is a armored cavalry squadron deployed as part of 2nd ABCT’s heel-to-toe rotational deployment to Central Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve, a mission intended to strengthen the collective defensive capabilities of allied and partnered forces in Europe.