NORMAN, Oklahoma - Soldiers of the 700th Brigade Support Battalion, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team participated in a change of command ceremony to welcome their new commander and honor their outgoing commander on Jan. 13, in Norman, Oklahoma.
The Soldiers honored outgoing commander Lt. Col. Thomas Mackey, of Choctaw, Oklahoma, and welcomed Lt. Col. Eric Frazier, of Chandler, Oklahoma.
During Mackey’s tenure as commander, the 700th completed many state active duty missions and key training events. Mackey said three missions stand out most to him: responding to Hurricane Harvey, training at the Army National Guard Sustainment Training Center at Camp Dodge, Iowa and Patriot Bandolier – a mission where the BSB transported ammunition across the nation.
“We drove through the snowstorms, across the continental divide and no matter the challenges the BSB maintained their composure and carried out the mission,” Makey said. “Of the three major events during my command, we had 701 personnel, drove 270 vehicles, fed over 23,000 meals and one of the most impressive [things] is we drove almost 600,000 miles and only had to line-haul one vehicle back to home station.”
Mackey commissioned in 1991 and was assigned to the 2120th Services and Support Quartermaster Company where he served as a platoon leader, operations officer and detachment commander. He served as the maintenance officer and executive officer for the 1120th Maintenance Company. He commanded the 1120th from 1998 to 2002. He has also served as the commander of the 1245th Transportation Company, battalion executive officer of the 271st Brigade Support Battalion, commander of the 2nd Battalion, 189th Regiment and deputy director personnel officer at the Oklahoma National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Oklahoma City.
He has deployed to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait. Mackey earned a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Management from East Central University, a master’s degree in Management and Training from Oklahoma State University and a master’s degree of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
“I want to say thank you to the warriors of 700. Being your commander has truly been one of the greatest honors,” Mackey told the troops in formation. “I’ve had the privilege to serve alongside so many of Oklahoma’s finest. Because each of you, I have been able to achieve one of my personal goals and that is to lead a successful battalion.”
Frazier began his military career in 1988 as a cannon crew member in Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment, 45th IBCT and commissioned by direct appointment in August 1999. He served in multiple positions during his career including cannon crew member, unit armorer, administrative specialist, fire support officer, fire direction officer, executive officer, battery commander, battalion logistics officer, battalion executive officer for the 700th BSB. He is currently the surface maintenance manager for JFHQ-OK.
Frazier’s deployments include Afghanistan, Iraq and Pine Bluff, Arkansas. He earned a bachelor’s in Marketing from Oklahoma State University and a master’s in Organization Leadership from Colombia Sothern University.
“Troops of the BSB, thank you for letting me join your team,” Frazier said. “I’m truly honored and humbled to be chosen to command this unit. The future is always what we make it. We will focus on troops learning, teaching and executing the mission.”
Date Taken: | 01.13.2019 |
Date Posted: | 01.17.2019 12:56 |
Story ID: | 306898 |
Location: | NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, US |
Hometown: | CHANDLER, OKLAHOMA, US |
Hometown: | CHOCTAW, OKLAHOMA, US |
Web Views: | 597 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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