Photo By Sgt. April York | Mrs. Tara Walsh, wife of the 16th Special Troops Battalion commander, presents a...... read more read more
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BAUMHOLDER, Germany – Friends and family of the 51st Transportation Company, 16th Special Troops Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade, 21st Theater Sustainment Command, gather at the Hall of Champions to witness the “Steel Knights’” change of command ceremony Feb. 22.
The “Steel Knights”, as the transportation company is known today, have gone through many changes in lineage. Their last major change came June 8, 1953 when the company was reorganized and re-designated as the 51st Transportation Company.
Recently the company redeployed in February 2012 from their service in Operation Enduring Freedom 11-12, and then they moved from Coleman Barracks in Mannheim to Smith Barracks in Baumholder, June 2012.
Currently they are training for an upcoming deployment in Spring 2013.
The ceremony began with a presentation. Mrs. Tara Walsh, wife of the battalion commander, gave a bouquet of yellow rose buds and a battalion crest lapel pin to Mrs. Mandy Hughes, wife of the incoming company commander.
The change of command began after the gifts were given.
“Steel Knights” soldiers stood in formation behind their first sergeant as they bid farewell to their outgoing commander, Capt. Mark. A. Mauldin, and welcomed their incoming commander, Capt. Stephen W. Hughes.
The first sergeant passed the company colors to the outgoing company commander who then passed the colors to the battalion commander who then passed the colors to the incoming company commander who finally passed the colors back to the first sergeant.
Lieutenant Colonel Timothy D. Walsh, commander of the 16th STB, then addressed both the outgoing and incoming commanders.
“Captain Mauldin thanks for all the sacrifices and hardships endured over your time in command and most importantly thank you for your efforts in setting conditions for a successful deployment,” he said. “Captain Hughes I am confident that you are the right officer to lead this company. There are many hardships, victories, peaks and valleys ahead for you and more importantly your company. I know you welcome the challenge ahead. Utilize your officers, [noncommissioned officers] and soldiers.”
Both commanders then had a chance to speak. The outgoing went first.
“To the ‘Steel Knights,’ you come with tremendous skill, courage and determination. This must not be forgotten,” Mauldin said. “Steel Knight 6 signing off.”
Then the new company commander gave the final address.
“Captain Mauldin you have done an outstanding job in leading these Soldiers to where they are today, and you should be proud of what you have accomplished,” Hughes said. “’Steel Knights’ I look forward to serving with you and leading you to war.”
| Date Taken: | 03.01.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2013 04:07 |
| Story ID: | 102749 |
| Location: | BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, DE |
| Web Views: | 83 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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