Courtesy Photo | Incoming commander Col. Alan Boyer, commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team...... read more read more
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FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. - Friends and families of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), gathered at the division parade field Oct. 15 for a change of command ceremony.
The“Bastogne” brigade bid farewell to Col. Robert Campbell and welcomed Col. Alan Boyer to “The Club.”
Campbell assumed command of 1st BCT in October 2013. He said the brigade could not have achieved all that it did without the outstanding leadership of his command sergeants major, the numerous officers within the formation, the Bastogne noncommissioned officers – the very life blood of this organization, the Soldiers standing in the parade field and the unwavering support of the Bastogne spouses and Family members.
“Exactly two years and five days ago, I stood in this very place and was bestowed the honor of commanding this brigade,” said Campbell. “We were about to embark on a massive collective training and leader development plan – including large-scale brigade air assault operations, prepare for an uncertain future, and we stood in the 50 percent range on air assault qualified Soldiers. These are just a few of the mountains we needed to scale – ones which would require the best of plans and every member of the team. Today, I proudly report we have scaled these mountains. I stand here now, marveling at the accomplishments of this brigade.”
In the last two years, Campbell witnessed his formation tackle a brigade-size air assault – the first in almost a decade – conquer a rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana, deploy the brigade and later a battalion for two separate deployments, as well as numerous training events that had the Bastogne Soldiers scattered across the country.
The Bastogne brigade enjoys a superb reputation, forged by the men and women of this blue collared organization, Campbell said.
“The [Bastogne brigade] gets the tough, sometimes not-so-desirable jobs, rolls up its sleeves, delivers, returns home, then does it again,” Campbell said. “But don’t take my word for it. Ask the observer controllers at JRTC, the cadre at West Point, our National Guard partners from Arkansas and Iowa, the 1st Cavalry Division and Headquarters Resolute Support Afghanistan, or even the Afghan Security Forces, the government of Kandahar and the population surrounding the Kandahar Airfield.”
Campbell said this formation is made up of modern warriors who know how to fight, but understand that not all security problems can be solved with a weapon.
“It’s been a distinct pleasure of mine to watch them in action these last two years,” Campbell said. “Line up the busses, schedule the planes; I would take this brigade anywhere.”
Passing command of the brigade and its people is personal, but Campbell said he finds comfort knowing the brigade is in the capable hands of Boyer.
“Al is a humble leader with a great family who will no doubt take this brigade to new heights,” Campbell said.
Boyer and his family join the Bastogne Family, bringing with them a wealth of experience from his almost 20 years of service.
“I would not be here today were it not for countless officers, NCOs and Soldiers whom I have served with and learned from throughout my career,” Boyer said. “I am truly humbled to have assumed command of this great brigade combat team.”
Boyer served with the 101st as a young 2nd lieutenant and said it was good to be home and once again a member of the 101st Airborne Division.
“I remember the prestige and tradition of this brigade and the Bastogne Bulldogs with roots deeply sown from the battlefields of Normandy, Holland, Bastogne, Vietnam and Desert Storm,” Boyer said. “This brigade has continued its rendezvous with destiny in both Iraq and Afghanistan. We have a strong, rich history, and one of my priorities will be to continue to build the team and maintain our deep, lasting relationships.”
As he prepared to take command, Boyer said he spent a good amount of time thinking about what it meant to a Bastogne Soldier.
“Being Bastogne is about being ready,” Boyer said. “We were ready in the past and the nation demands that we remain ready moving into the future. Being Bastogne is also about being able, and I look forward to working with and developing highly trained, disciplined, lethal Soldiers and capable, agile leaders who can solve complex problems with creative solutions.”
The final part to a Bastogne Soldier is being willing, Boyer said. Soldiers must be willing to tackle any obstacles that may lay ahead.
“I am honored and privileged to command this brigade,” Boyer said. “We have a rendezvous with destiny, and we will be ready, able and willing. God bless our Soldiers.”
| Date Taken: | 10.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.02.2015 14:18 |
| Story ID: | 183292 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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