By Capt. Timothy A. Creasman
PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan – For most captains in the Iowa National Guard, commanding soldiers at the troop or company level is one of the most rewarding jobs of their career. Capt. Kyle Obrecht returns to that rewarding position and brings 12 years of military experience with him.
Obrecht assumed command of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Redhorse, a part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division, Task Force Red Bulls, from Capt. Jason Knueven, a Manning, Iowa native, at the Redhorse headquarters building on Bagram Airfield, here February 19.
"It is an honor to take command for the second time, especially as a Cavalry troop commander because the Cavalry is a time-honored tradition,” said Obrecht, from Council Bluffs, Iowa. “Capt. Knueven did an outstanding job as the HHT commander. I hope to continue serving the soldiers with excellence, as he has done before me."
Knueven held command of HHT for 20 months prior to moving to command Troop A, 1-113 during the cavalry’s deployment to Afghanistan. Knueven was responsible for training, equipping and the movement of the headquarters troop and the squadron commander’s staff during the pre-mobilization training. He was also responsible for the transition into Afghanistan.
Obrecht works full time as the officer-in-charge for headquarters, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment, also a part of the 2-34th IBCT. This deployment will be the third in a long line of service and the second time in command for Obrecht, who served as a platoon leader for 22 months in Iraq when the 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment deployed there in 2005. During Obrecht’s first command, he spent 18 months as the Company A commander in the 168 Infantry getting that unit prepared for its current deployment to Afghanistan. Before being selected for command of HHT, Obrecht served as a plans officer in the 2-34th IBCT plans section.
“We welcome Capt. Obrecht to the squadron and know he will build upon Capt. Knueven’s good work,” said Lt. Col. David A. Updegraff, the 1-113th Cavalry commander from Cedar Rapids, Iowa. “He will be a strong addition to our team.”