Photo By Maj. William Carraway | Colonel Jason Fryman, incoming commander of the Georgia Army National Guard’s 78th...... read more read more
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The Georgia Army National Guard’s 78th Aviation Troop Command bid farewell to Col. Dwayne Wilson and welcomed its new commander, Col. Jason Fryman, during a change of command ceremony at the Clay National Guard Center in Marietta.
“Colonel Wilson has demonstrated on numerous occasions that he is one of the premier leaders in this organization,” said Brig. Gen. Randall Simmons, commander of the Georgia Army National Guard. “He does all of the little things right, which usually means that the big things just fall into line.”
Simmons recounted many of the 78th ATC’s accomplishment during Wilson’s command tenure. In his more than four years of brigade command, Wilson led more than 700 pilots, crew members and support personnel flying nearly 40 rotary and fixed wing aircraft from aviation facilities in Marietta, Winder and Savannah. During this time, units of the 78th ATC deployed multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan, Operation Spartan Shield in Iraq, Kuwait and Syria, and mobilized aircraft to Kosovo.
The 78th ATC supported exercises at home and overseas from rotations at the Combined Readiness Training Center to Noble Partner in the Country of Georgia, where the 78th ATC currently has aircraft and personnel participating in training missions on an international stage, notably supporting air assault operations involving troops of three nations.
Aviators and crewmembers of the 78th ATC responded to numerous natural disasters in the past four years ranging from Hurricanes Harvey, Matthew and Maria. Aviators provided support during wildfires in South Carolina and supported Exercise Vigilant Guard in 2015 and 2017. During this time, the 78th ATC was recognized with awards for logistics, personnel and readiness excellence.
Wilson thanked his family for their enduring support during his command tenure.
“Families do all the heavy lifting for us, filling in the gaps while we are deployed,” observed Wilson. “We are only successful due to their support and I thank you for yours, and for the support I have received from the (Georgia Army National Guard).”
Wilson also expressed gratitude and admiration for the Soldiers of the 78th ATC.
“(The Soldiers) have made this job easy for me,” said Wilson. Not many folks realize that Army National Guard Aviation makes up almost half of all Army Aviation. The 78th ATC has been continually involved in operations around the world for more than a decade and a half.”
Wilson expanded on the high operational tempo of the 78th ATC and the value the brigade has brought to the war fight.
“Aviation provides ground force commanders with incredible speed, range, flexibility and lethality, said Wilson. “All of the units of the 78th ATC have done this multiple times. They are the perfect example of an operational and a relevant Army National Guard.”
Assuming command of the 78th ATC is Col. Jason Fryman, a graduate of the Army War College and veteran aviator who has served in multiple command and staff positions within the 78th ATC, including command of the Marietta-based 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment and two overseas combat deployments.
“More than 21 years ago I joined this unit for the first time,” said Fryman. “I am deeply humbled to be counted among its ranks once again. The character, commitment and competence of the Soldiers of this command rival that of any aviation unit in the Army. We stand ready to answer the call, whether that be local, state or national, to protect our nation’s interests and our American way of life.”
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.05.2018 22:03 |
| Story ID: | 287379 |
| Location: | MARIETTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Hometown: | MARIETTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 474 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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