Members of the 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard, held a change of command ceremony at Camp Gruber Training Center, near Braggs, Oklahoma, Saturday.
The ceremony was held to honor the battalion’s outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Tonia Toben, and welcome the incoming commander Lt. Col. Darrin Fox.
The ceremony highlighted Toben’s dedication to the well-being of Soldiers and their families during multiple missions that made a lasting impact on the battalion.
“Toben’s command was vocal on the Soldiers,” said Command Sgt. Maj. John Hernandez, state command sergeant major for Oklahoma. “They felt cared for, they understood their command was there for them.”
Toben was the first female to lead the 345th CSSB and served the battalion for over three years.
“It’s definitely a humbling moment,” Toben said. “You look back and you’re just thankful.”
Toben also provided guidance and support to her peers while in command of the battalion, including to the battalion’s incoming commander, Fox.
“She provided some guidance and advice while I was in command down at Fort Bliss (Texas) for our COVID mission,” Fox said, who returned from his in-country deployment earlier this year.
Toben was hired into the full-time force for the Oklahoma Army National Guard after deploying to New Orleans in support of Hurricane Katrina recovery efforts in 2005. She deployed to Iraq in 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom where she served as the logistics and forward operating base manager (mayor) for two bases.
“My joy was going out and seeing what Soldiers did,” Toben said. “It was amazing to see everybody step up and take hold.”
Toben has earned several awards and decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal and Meritorious Service Medal. Toben will now step into her role as deputy commander for the 90th Troop Command full-time.
Date Taken: | 05.14.2022 |
Date Posted: | 05.17.2022 08:36 |
Story ID: | 420769 |
Location: | CAMP GRUBER TRAINING CENTER, OKLAHOMA, US |
Web Views: | 81 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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