FORT BLISS, Texas – The 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade held the Transformation of Command ceremony on Fort Bliss, Texas, June 25, 2026. The ceremony included two battalion deactivations, two battalion changes of command, the command chief warrant officer change of responsibility and the brigade change of command.
The ceremony marks a pivotal restructuring as leaders transition across the formation, and the deactivation of two battalions highlights the brigade’s continued commitment to the U.S. Army structure initiative and the strength of today’s Iron Eagles.
The brigade bid farewell to Col. Margaret Stick, outgoing commander of the 1st AD CAB, and welcomed Col. John Collins, incoming commander of the 1st AD CAB.
“These transitions represent the continuous change of the Army organization,” said Stick. “The change that is at the very core of who we are as an Army. A formation that is always optimizing to what’s next.”
The brigade also saw Chief Warrant Officer 5 Scott Bean, outgoing command chief warrant officer of the 1st AD CAB, relinquish responsibility to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Donald McHugh, incoming command chief warrant officer of the 1st AD CAB.
Additionally, 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st AD CAB, and 3rd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st AD CAB, both had their change of command.
Lt. Col. Ross “Matthew” Ridge, outgoing commander of 1-501st AB, 1st AD CAB, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Christopher Beckwith, incoming commander of 1-501st AB, 1st AD CAB.
“With our transformation, we continue building our legacy upon the lessons taught by those who came before us,” said Ridge. “With new equipment, personnel, and technologies comes an increase in lethality and expectations to be Ready to Strike! Train and master the fundamentals. Maintain yourself and your equipment. But most importantly, nobody fights alone.”
Lt. Col. Logan Collins, outgoing commander of 3-501 AHB-M, 1st AD CAB, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Sean Richardson, incoming commander of 3-501 AHB-M, 1st AD CAB.
The brigade also cased the 2nd Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, and 3rd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, colors and divested the two battalions during the ceremony.
The two battalions leave behind a legacy of a commitment to excellence, an unwavering dedication to the U.S. and an unstoppable warfighting force.
“Command is one of the greatest privileges that the Army bestows upon its officers and I am sincerely humbled to assume this position,” said Collins. “It is my pledge to give the brigade my utmost, to put Soldiers and their families first and the mission always.”
This mass ceremony was not only a historic moment for the brigade, but a reaffirmation of the 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade’s commitment to its Soldiers and ARSTRUC initiative.