Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Klestinski | Lt. Col. Elizabeth Evans returns the colors for the reflagged 753rd Brigade Engineer...... read more read more
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STARKE, Fla. (Nov. 4, 2017) – Lt. Col. Elizabeth Evans relinquished command of the 753rd Brigade Engineer Battalion, formerly the 53rd Infantry Brigade Special Troops Battalion, during a change of command ceremony at Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, Fla. on Nov. 4, 2017.
Maj. Jason Neumann took charge of the re-designated unit immediately following the official reflagging ceremony. The new designation for the 753rd BEB in the Florida National Guard is the Army’s most recent step in an overall restructuring, which began with active duty forces in 2012.
“Every special troops battalion will convert to a brigade engineering battalion,” said Evans, the 53rd Infantry BSTB former commander. “It was allocated that there would be two combat engineer companies in a brigade engineer battalion, while keeping its current capabilities, and adding a forward support company to get the infantry brigade package necessary to be successful in combined arms operations.”
The 53rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team – the 753rd BEB higher headquarters - Commander Col. John Haas, who officiated the ceremony, said “Under Lt. Col. Evan’s leadership, the battalion has gained a reputation as a highly skilled, highly capable and highly motivated organization that can be counted upon to accomplish any mission. Lt. Col. Evans leaves behind a legacy of leadership and unmatched performance.”
During her time in command, Evans oversaw command and control of the Regionally Aligned Forces mission in South America. She also led the response to Hurricane Matthew in 2016 and immediately following Hurricane Irma led both humanitarian and route clearing missions in the lower Florida Keys.
According to Haas, the incoming commander’s previous experience gives him a background that has prepared him for his new role as the 753rd BEB’s commander. “He’s had every key assignment from engineer platoon leader to battalion executive officer, so he’s done all the developmental assignments he needs to be a good engineering battalion commander,” Haas said. “His deployment experience also gives him a strategic leader mindset that’s critically important in today’s environment.”
As Neumann takes command of the 753rd BEB, his objective will be to maintain a tradition of mission readiness and reliability as noted by Haas in his closing remarks on Evans’ time as commander.
“Colonel Evans’ leadership will be missed,” Haas said. “But, her greatest contributions in facing future challenges have yet to be made.”
| Date Taken: | 11.04.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.05.2017 16:53 |
| Story ID: | 254180 |
| Location: | STARKE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,127 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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