FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. — For the last two years, Lt. Col. John Hermeling led the 1st Squadron, 75th Cavalry Regiment, of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). He was their leader during combat operations in northwest Baghdad as his Soldiers fought courageously against enemy forces. He was there to lead them through various live-fire exercises at Fort Knox, Ky. He has simply been their leader.
However, his time as their leader has come to an end. His reign as a squadron commander is over.
Hermeling handed over command of the squadron to Lt. Col. Thomas McFadyen during a change of command ceremony Jan. 29.
Hermeling took over command of the squadron while the unit was deployed to Iraq. During the deployment, the squadron was responsible for 40 percent of the brigade's detained insurgents.
They also played a key role in changing the environment along the Sunni/Shia fault line of Ghazaliyah, Jowadeen, Katieb and Rhamaniyah in the Districts of Mansour and Kadhamiyah in northwest Baghdad.
While using money as a weapon system, they were able to push micro grants, establish community work projects and improve the infrastructure. These were all indicators of their immense success throughout the deployment.
What truly made his command special were the Soldiers within the squadron.
Shortly after taking command, the squadron lived through some of its darkest days when two Soldiers within his formation were killed.
However, during one of the dark days, Hermeling's unit showcased many of its immense capabilities.
"The mark of a good unit and Soldiers with character is how they conduct themselves in the face of adversity with bad things happen. While conducting a night patrol in northwest Baghdad one of the platoons in the squadron came under precision small-arms fire and one of our finest was mortally wounded," said Hermeling. "The platoon immediately returned fire and maneuvered a mounted section to bring devastating automatic weapons fire upon the enemy. In disregarding their own safety, the platoon sergeant and medic moved to render aid to our fallen brother.
"This platoon reacted with incredible bravery and displayed immense courage under fire," Hermeling continued. "Right after the attack was broken it would become clear that the enemy that night conspired to destroy us."
Though they would lose a brother that day, they - the Soldiers of the cavalry squadron - proved to rule the day.
That's just one of many stories that will forever remain with Hermeling throughout his life. The men he commanded proved, though faced with extreme adversity, could meet the challenge face-to-face and overcome all obstacles.
Hermeling leaves knowing he and his men accomplished a great deal in protecting the everyday freedoms of Americans and enabling the Iraqi people to succeed.
To McFadyen, he passes on a unit capable of accomplishing any given mission. He passes on the responsibility of commanding a unit with much prestige and honor.
"I'm very proud and excited to assume command of Strike Cav. I look forward to our future challenges and rendezvous with destiny," said McFadyen.
Strike's cavalry squadron will undoubtedly continue to move forward under the leadership of McFadyen as they gear toward their deployment to Afghanistan.