97th Troop Command Change of Authority Ceremony

Photo By Spc. Dustin B. Smith | Utah Army National Guard Leadership of the 97th Troop Command in change of command ceremony April 21, 2024 at 640th Regional Training Institute Headquarters, Camp Williams, Bluffdale, UT. The Change of Command ceremony is deeply rooted in American military history dating back to the 18th Century. During that time, organizational flags were developed with color arrangements and symbols unique to each unit. The flag served as a rallying point and reminder of their allegiance to their leader during battle. To this flag and its commander, military members dedicated their loyalty and trust. Because of its symbolic nature, when a change of command took place, the flag was passed to the individual assuming command in the presence of the entire unit. (Utah Army National Guard Photo by Pfc. Dustin B. Smith)  

DRAPER, UTAH, UNITED STATES

01.07.2024

Story by Pfc. Dustin B. Smith 

128th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

DRAPER, Utah — The Utah Army National Guard held their Change of Command ceremony January 7, 2024, as Col. Erick R. Wiedmeier relinquished command to Lt. Col. Jon D. Richardson as the Brigade Commander of the 97th Troop Command.

Col. Erick R. Wiedmeier enlisted in 1990 as an Operating Room Specialist in the 144th Combat Support Hospital. He graduated from Utah State University in 1998, following college and moving to Washington State, he decided to attend Officer Candidate School.

Commissioning as a 2nd Lt. in 2000, his first assignment was with the Washington Army National Guard. After moving back to Utah, Col. Wiedmeier joined the Active Guard Reserve program as the Operations Officer for 1-145th Field Artillery in 2003. Col. Wiedmeier has been deployed two times to Iraq, where he served as the Battery commander for two separate Field Artillery Batteries.

“In the last year and a half I've seen quite a few things, some great training from all our units, all the way from Morocco to Australia.” Col. Wiedmeri said. “My favorite part of commanding the 97th Troop Command has been interacting with the diverse members of the troop command.” Col. Weidmeri added.

Lt. Col. Jon D. Richardson enlisted in the Utah Army National Guard in April 1990 as a Combat Engineer in Spanish Fork, Utah. After volunteering for a deployment in 2001 to Kuwait with 1-211th, Lt. Col. was given a direct commission as a Signal Officer in the Utah Army National Guard.

Lt. Col. Richardson has served in multiple leadership roles in his career, including Attack Company Commander, Battalion Executive Officer, Battalion S3, Brigade Deputy Commander, and Active Guard Reserve Battalion for the 1-211th.

Lt. Col. Richardson would redeploy in October of 2020 as part of the drawdown and closure of Kandahar Airfield and the total reduction of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan. After serving as the Brigade Deputy Commander of the 97th Troop Command in Draper, Utah from November 2020 to September 2022. Lt. Col Richardson was then assigned as the State Army Aviation Officer and Director of Aviation and Safety for the Utah Army National Guard.

Lt. Col. Richardson completed his Masters Degree in Executive Leadership in October of 2022. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Information Systems from his combined education at Brigham Young University and the University of Phoenix. In addition Lt. Col. Richardson is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College, Advanced Operations Course, Blackhawk Qualification Course, Apache Qualification Course, and Apache Instructor Pilot Course.

Lt. Col. Richardson will assume the command of the 97th Troop Command effective January 7, 2024.

“It’s the most unique unit in the Utah National Guard, at this brigade level.” Lt. Col. Richardson said. “To see all these different unique type of units that I’ve got to work with before and they all have unique, both strategic and local, assets and capabilities.” Lt. Col. Richardson added.

• Date Taken: 01.07.2024
• Date Posted: 03.12.2024 07:11
• Story ID: 464416
• Location: DRAPER, UTAH, US