DRAPER, Utah — The Utah Army National Guard's 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade formally transferred command from Col. Andrew Owens to Lt. Col. Blake Bingham during a change of command ceremony May 30, 2026 at Camp Williams.
The ceremony marked the official transfer of authority and responsibility for one of the Utah National Guard's most deployed and diverse formations.
Brig. Gen. Keir A. Scoubes, Utah Army National Guard land component commander, praised Owens' leadership and the brigade's accomplishments during his tenure.
"You all have accomplished tremendous things in the leadership of Col. Owens," Scoubes told soldiers of the brigade. "You've done an absolutely fantastic job ... changing not just the mission set and the focus of the unit, but the culture of the unit."
Scoubes thanked Owens and his family for their service and expressed confidence in Bingham's ability to lead the organization forward.
"We're so excited to have you in this position," Scoubes said. "Really very excited for your time with the 204th. Excited for you to use your skills to take the 204th from where they are and where the unit is to progressing even further."
Addressing soldiers, Scoubes highlighted the brigade's reputation and operational history, including a 2024 deployment which saw roughly 300 soldiers from the 204th MEB deployed to Djibouti and East Africa to serve as the headquarters staff for the Combined Joint Task Force–Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). The deployment was the brigade's largest overseas mission in more than a decade.
"The fact is, you have been able to go to the Horn of Africa and everywhere else around the world, and people know exactly who the 204th is and the missions that you do, and you carry that with distinction," he said.
In his farewell remarks, Owens recognized the soldiers and leaders who helped shape the brigade's success.
"A lot of people say that these change of command ceremonies are for the outgoing commander," Owens said. "I would tell you that they're a reflection of all of you."
He credited the formation's soldiers for advancing readiness and lethality over the past year, including the addition of the 1st Battalion, 204th Infantry Regiment (1-204th), Utah’s first infantry battalion in more than 100 years and a product of the Army’s modernization effort. The 1-204th brings new capabilities to Utah and makes up the largest single formation in the Utah Army National Guard.
"A year ago we set a course to become a more lethal, more ready and more resilient force," Owens said. "Today we are all that and more — not because of any single person, but because of you."
Owens said the brigade's future remains bright and voiced confidence in his successor.
"Lt. Col. Bingham is the right person at the right time to lead this brigade into the future," Owens said. "I know you will give him the same dedication and excellence you have given me."
Bingham thanked senior leaders for their trust and recognized Owens for guiding the brigade through a period of change and increasing operational demands.
"You've led the brigade through a period of rapid change, transition and increases of complexity," Bingham said. "You strengthened the formation, and you've cared for the individual soldiers and really positioned the 204th for continued success."
Bingham outlined a command philosophy built around three principles: mission first, every soldier counts, and building teams and leaders.
"The inherent purpose of a soldier is to accomplish the mission," Bingham said. "In garrison, it really boils down to readiness — having trained, equipped and resilient soldiers ready to answer the call."
He also emphasized the importance of caring for soldiers and developing future leaders.
"You are the brigade's center of gravity," Bingham said. "Any commander worth his salt does what they can to preserve and protect their center of gravity."
Closing his remarks, Bingham pledged to build on the brigade's momentum and continue preparing soldiers for future missions.
"We're going to accomplish the mission. We're going to take care of each other, and we're going to build our teams and leaders," he said. "Our best days lie ahead. Despite the challenges that remain, we will keep climbing. We'll keep climbing together."
With a reputation built through global deployments, domestic response missions and a culture of readiness, the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade continues to grow in both size and capability. From leading operations in East Africa to integrating Utah's first infantry battalion in a century, the brigade remains committed to its mission of enabling, enhancing and protecting the force. Under Bingham's leadership, soldiers of the 204th will continue to embody the unit's guiding principle: "Solidarity in Purpose."