Chosin Soldiers welcome a new commander

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Hohman | Capt. Sean Nolan, outgoing commander of C Company, 1st battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, passes the company guidon to Lt. Col. Timothy Davis, 1-17th battalion commander, signifying the completion of his command during a change of command ceremony at Combat Outpost Siah Choy, Afghanistan, Oct. 20. (Photo by Army Sgt. Ryan Hohman, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division)  

AFGHANISTAN

10.31.2012

Story by Sgt. Ryan Hohman 

2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – Soldiers with C Company, 1st battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment stand tall and proud as they bid farewell to one commander and welcome another.

Capt. Zachary Thelen assumed command of C Company, 1-17th IN, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, from Capt. Sean Nolan during an assumption of command ceremony at Combat Outpost Siah Choy, Afghanistan, Oct. 20.

C Co., also known as Chosin Few, is in the sixth month of their nine-month mission where they are responsible for assisting the Afghan National Security Forces in providing security and training in the Zharay District of Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

“Chosin Company’s performance during this deployment is exemplary,” said Lt. Col. Timothy Davis, 1-17th battalion commander. “It is a culture that takes any mission given and says ‘roger.’”

Nolan was proud of his time as commander of Chosin Company and took time to thank his wife and subordinate leadership for their outstanding work and support.

“I have served in this Battalion for 37 months with 29 of those being command, and I have ended my experience on a definite high note with my command in Chosin Company,” said Nolan. “It has been a long, hard road, but [the leadership here] have turned this into the best company in the battalion and one of the finest organizations I have served with.”

Thelen spoke during the ceremony thanking his wife, Lt. Col. Davis and Command Sgt. Major Timothy Dotson, who serves as the senior enlisted adviser for 1-17 IN, for their support and advice.

He also thanked his new soldiers for the chance to lead and told them, “I look forward to serving with you.”

Soldiers of Chosin Company have completed two-thirds of their nine-month deployment and look forward to finishing their mission with honor and success.

“Now we look to the future Chosin Company,” said Davis, “finishing this fourth-quarter of this deployment strong and getting a good solid win by continuing the hard work of the last six months.”

• Date Taken: 10.31.2012
• Date Posted: 11.05.2012 12:55
• Story ID: 97309
• Location: AF