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    Engineer battalion welcomes first female commander

    Engineer battalion welcomes first female commander

    Photo By Sgt. Michael Owens | Louisiana National Guardsman Capt. Heather S. Englehart, the incoming commander of the...... read more read more

    NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, UNITED STATES

    05.22.2011

    Story by Sgt. Michael Owens 

    Louisiana National Guard

    NEW ORLEANS – Command of the Louisiana National Guard’s 843rd Horizontal Engineer Company switched hands during a change of command ceremony held at the unit’s headquarters in Franklinton, May 22.

    Capt. Heather S. Englehart, recently serving as the assistant plans officer for the 205th Engineer Battalion, assumed command of the 843rd from Capt. Alan T. Dunn, now reassigned to the 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Hammond.

    Adding another page to military women’s history, Englehart becomes the first female commander in the 205th.

    “Thank you for entrusting me to take command of this great unit,” said Englehart of New Orleans. “I couldn’t be any more excited, and I will work hard for you and expect you to do the same for me.”

    In his remarks, Lt. Col. Michael Kazmierzak, commander of the 205th, welcomed the new commander to her first command with some words of advice.

    “I charge you with being an inspiring leader because your Soldiers deserve it,” said Kazmierzak. “Leadership is what it’s all about, and you have to demand it from all levels to be a successful commander.”

    Kazmierzak also presented the Army Commendation Medal to Dunn for exceptional meritorious service while serving as commander of the 843rd since November 2008.

    “You have led this unit through responding to oil spills, floods and hurricanes,” Kazmierzak said to Dunn. “To be a great leader you have to give your troops the resources and means to do their jobs, and you have done exactly that.”

    Addressing the unit for the last time, Dunn, a native of Geismer, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Troops he has led for the past two and a half years.

    “We’ve been through a lot, and you’ve always stepped up when I needed you to,” said Dunn. “Even during the current flood mission, you continue to amaze me, and I thank you for all your support the last couple of years.”

    The 843rd mission consists of horizontal construction, which includes building roads and airfields for military missions, as well as maintaining equipment and supporting state and federal operations.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 05.22.2011
    Date Posted: 05.24.2011 11:32
    Story ID: 70978
    Location: NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA, US

    Web Views: 379
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN