Fort Bragg, N.C. – Command Sgt. Maj. Larry D. Farmer, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. William J. Yeargan Jr. during a ceremony on Pike Field, July 19.
Col. Mike Musiol, 82nd CAB commander, presided over the event as Farmer passed the Pegasus colors on to Yeargan.
“We are here today to transfer the responsibility of the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade and the care of its troopers from one remarkable leader to another,” Musiol said.
Farmer assumed responsibility as the Pegasus brigade senior enlisted adviser in January 2009. He helped guide the unit through its most recent deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from April 2009 – 2010 and September 2011 – 2012.
“It has been humbling to serve as your brigade sergeant major and to have deployed with this outstanding unit to Afghanistan on two separate occasions,” Farmer said. “I want you to know that every day I learned much more from each of you than you have learned from me.”
Maj. Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., 82nd Airborne Division commander, presented Farmer with a Legion of Merit for his 30-plus years of service to the nation. Farmer has served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division for more than 20 years. He will go on to retire early next year.
“I was first assigned to this organization in 1983 as Pvt. Farmer,” he said. “To end my career as the command sergeant major of the first organization for which I served and deployed tops all of my wildest dreams.”
While the outgoing command sergeant major remembers his time with the Pegasus Brigade fondly, the incoming leader has much to look forward to.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Yeargan is a tested combat leader with a wealth of knowledge and commitment to take the Combat Aviation Brigade to the next height,” said Musiol. “This is a unique opportunity to lead and train paratroopers in the most lethal aviation organization in our Army during uncertain times as part of our nation’s global response force.”
Yeargan will carry on that tradition of leadership, guiding the All American aviators as they continue training to support the U.S. global response force, capable of responding to a wide variety of humanitarian and combat missions around the world with little notice.
“I am honored and humbled to be given such a great responsibility to such a prestigious brigade. I look forward to working with each and every one of you,” Yeargan said.
Date Taken: | 07.19.2013 |
Date Posted: | 07.19.2013 17:03 |
Story ID: | 110510 |
Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
Web Views: | 420 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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