Davis takes command of 46th Eng Bn

Photo By Chuck Cannon | The 46th Engineer Battalion change of command ceremoney comes to a close Dec. 14 as Lt. Col. Ian R. Davis takes command of the battalion.  

FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES

12.21.2018

Story by Chuck Cannon 

Fort Johnson Public Affairs Office

By Angie Thorne
Guardian staff writer

FORT POLK, La. — The 46th Engineer Battalion change of command ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of its outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Christopher D. Klein, as he passed the colors and command to the battalion’s incoming commander, Lt. Col. Ian R. Davis, Dec. 14 at Fort Polk’s Warrior Fitness Center.
Col. Patrick J. Sullivan, 20th Engineer Brigade commander and guest speaker at the ceremony, began by thanking those in attendance for honoring the Soldiers in front of them.
Sullivan expressed gratitude to Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. David Bass, JRTC and Fort Polk command sergeant major, for the daily leadership and support they provide the 46th Eng Bn.
“Distributed mission command situations are inherently difficult, yet you would never think so when considering the selflessness behind everything you do for this unit,” he said. “The one thing you are required to do is deliver the 46th to an operational area when called by our nation and you do it better than just about any other installation.”
Sullivan said the 46th Eng Bn Soldiers standing before those in attendance are the best in the Engineer Brigade. “I would know because the 20th Engineer Brigade is the best unit of its type in the world and the 46th is our best battalion — full stop,” he said.
“Through their qualifications and hard work these Soldiers represent the full spectrum of Army combat engineering capability, which includes everything from sappers, vertical engineers and equipment operators to firefighters, surveyors and more.”
Sullivan said 46th Eng Bn Soldiers continue to add to a lasting legacy, which began in 1917 when the battalion was constituted. That history has continued through to today, as the battalion deployed the 573rd Engineer Company (Clearance) to Afghanistan in support of the 1st Security Forces Assistance Brigade — the company redeployed Nov. 19 — and the 524th Engineer Detachment (Firefighting) to Romania supporting Operation Atlantic Resolve.
“Their achievements in the last six months alone are towering, exceeding what most units accomplish in a period of several years,” he said. “In addition to the route clearance operations in Southern Afghanistan and firefighter support for the probable next frontier of contingency operations in Eastern Europe, they have accomplished short notice and multi modal deployment for contingency operations as part of a Corps of Engineers led task force for disaster response. They have sustained the JRTC construction management program on behalf of the 18th Airborne Corps and Forces Command, which provides a mechanism of certified construction units for real world missions in the combat training center context. The unit has accomplished total integration with the 10th Mountain Division as part of a divisional alignment program, which will see 46th companies participating in mountain peak exercises in combat training center rotations and their associated training progressions moving forward — the only division in echelon above brigade battalion to accomplish this,” he said.
These achievements belong not only to the Soldiers of the 46th, but also their commander, said Sullivan. “Units reflect their commanders. Accordingly, Lieutenant Colonel Chris Klein deserves a huge share of the credit for his battalion’s achievements. He is known throughout the 18th Airborne Corps and the Engineer Regiment as a smart, innovative and mature leader who gets results on time and to the highest standards, all while maintaining a positive attitude, attending to the needs of his formation and making it look easy,” he said. “But it’s time for Chris to move on. He has mastered the job of battalion commander and the Army has recognized that his future development must lay in new opportunities.”
The Army is confident that the 46th Engineer Battalion’s legacy of achievement will continue under Davis, said Sullivan. “He is a highly accomplished, incredible leader in his own right. Ian, I know you will build upon the great foundation that Chris has laid for you and provide the leadership that Steel Spike Soldiers deserve. Focus on that leadership and remember to never let your colors fall. The rest will take care of itself,” he said.
Klein said it’s been an absolute privilege to be part of the 46th Engineer Battalion.
Reflecting on the last two years, he said one thing comes to mind. “I really didn’t do anything. I smiled and shared my dream of how we would accomplish each mission. I believe this is called having vision. I asked a couple of hard questions along the way and believed that my Soldiers could accomplish the mission. That’s it. The great people of this battalion did the rest,” he said.
Klein said he wonders what is next for this great battalion. “One thing is certain, you have a great new commander in Ian Davis,” he said.
Davis said to the Soldiers before him, “You look great and I look forward to our future endeavors together,” he said.

• Date Taken: 12.21.2018
• Date Posted: 12.21.2018 09:38
• Story ID: 304771
• Location: FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US