The 101st Airborne Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team said farewell to Col. Joseph Escandon and welcomed Col. Michael Kovacevic here today during a Change of Command ceremony.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as commander of this outstanding organization,” said Escandon. “I’m proud of this team and we stand ready to fight tonight, strike like eagles and dominate our enemies.”
During Escandon’s two years of command, 2BCT assumed missions on three continents. Strike Soldiers are currently deployed across the continent of Africa as part of a Regionally Aligned Forces mission and partnered with the Ukrainian Armed Forces as Joint Multinational Training Group – Ukraine. The brigade also previously completed a National Integration Evaluation at Fort Bliss, Texas in 2017, and a rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center in March 2018.
Escandon will next travel to Washington, DC for assignment at the Close Combat Lethality Task Force established by former Secretary of Defense James Mattis, which seeks to ensure infantry squads across the joint force are more lethal, survivable, relisient and ready.
Kovacevic, a native of Beaver Falls, PA, is a 1997 graduate of the United States Military Academy and comes to 2BCT from The Eisenhower School at the National Defense University.
“It is my distinct pleasure to take command of this historic organization,” said Kovacevic. “I look forward to continuing to build upon the strong legacy of this brigade and preparing our Soldiers for our next rendezvous with destiny.”