Photo By Capt. Meghan E. Keefe | Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, HHC commander, Brig. Gen. Harris the 194th Engineer Brigade...... read more read more
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq — U.S. Army Capts. Vanessa and Brandon Bowman of the 37th Engineer Battalion-Joint Task Force Eagle take command as outgoing commanders bid fare well and best of luck, Aug. 22.
37th EN BN- JTF Eagle, based out of Fort Bragg, N.C., company commanders Capt. Aaron M. Williams, of Fayetteville, N.C., Headquarters and Headquarters Company and Capt. Jason R. Melchior of Fairfax Station Va., Bravo Company, respectfully pass their guidons to Capt. Vanessa R. Bowman, of Oconto, Wis. and Wallace, Mich., HHC and Capt. Brandon Bowman, of Stevens, Pa., B Co., inconsecutive Change of Command Ceremonies. The ceremony signifies a time of change for two outstanding outgoing commanders, who served the JTF with distinction, as well as for the dual military couple taking command.
Williams has served with notable engineer units and has completed five combat tours throughout his nine years of service. The units include the 326th EN BN and Task Force Rakkason, Fort Campbell, Ky. and the XVIII Airborne Corps, Fort Bragg, N.C. during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Most recently he has served in support of OIF in 2009 with the 37th EN BN-JTF Eagle.
Williams, a Senior Rated Jumpmaster, will continue his service on Fort Bragg. He is supported by his wife Christy Williams and his children Elisabeth and Aaron Michael, Jr.
In his outgoing speech Williams addressed the non-commissioned officers and Soldiers.
"To my NCOs, thank you for your unconditional support; you are my backbone. To the Soldiers, I thank all of you for what you do every single day, you have my highest appreciation."
Melchior, a United States Military Academy Graduate, is Ranger Qualified and a Senior Rated Jumpmaster. He has served with the 40th EN BN, 1st Armored Division, Baumholder, Germany in Kosovo, as well as with the 37th EN BN- JTF Eagle in support of OEF in 2006. Melchior will continue to serve the JTF as the Assistant Operations Officer until his next assignment.
"I have been truly blessed to be the commander for this great company for the past 21 months," Melchior stated in his outgoing speech.
Both outgoing commanders have set the stage for this new command team. Both Bowman's have a history with the 20th Engineer Brigade, higher headquarters of 37th EN BN and both are Senior Rated Jumpmasters, in keeping with the Airborne Leader tradition.
Vanessa deployed with the 37th EN BN in support of OIF in 2003 serving with HHC as the company executive officer. Following her assignment with the 37th EN BN she deployed in support of OEF in 2008 with 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Combined JTF-82.
"She comes into this job with tremendous operational experience," stated Lt. Col. Paul Huszar, the 37th EN BN JTF-Eagle commander in his speech to the HHC Roughnecks.
His "plot to bring the Bowman Team to the 37th EN BN worked like a charm." He pointed out to the B C. Bushmasters.
Brandon's first assignment was with the 37th EN BN sister unit, the 27th EN BN. While with the 27th he deployed in support of OIF in 2002 and again in early 2005. Brandon also deployed with the 20th EN BDE Headquarters in support of OIF 2007-2008. Presently he serves with JTF-Eagle in support of OIF and both commanders are pleased to say they can share this deployment with each other.
"This is our third deployment at the same time, but the first time that we are able to be together," Brandon stated.
Vanessa added that this deployment "is a unique experience to spend time living together, really one of the few times we have done so since our marriage in 2004.
Professionally, it is nice to have Brandon's support during company command, especially as he has spent so much time in this part of the country."
The Bowman Command Team will continue to serve their country, their Soldiers as missions continue here in Iraq and families of the JTF wait patiently for loved ones to return home.
| Date Taken: | 08.31.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 08.31.2009 12:02 |
| Story ID: | 38180 |
| Location: | BALAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 1,439 |
| Downloads: | 516 |
This work, Husband and Wife Take Command as Soldiers Bid Farewell to Outgoing Officers, by CPT Meghan E. Keefe, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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