Leadership praised as 171st welcomes new commander

Story by Amanda Kenny
Georgia National Guard
Public Affairs Office

MARIETTA, Ga. – Lieutenant Col. Richard Wilson took command of 1st Battalion, 171st Aviation Regiment from Lt. Col. John Till in a ceremony at the unit’s flight facility Sunday, Oct. 5, 2008.

Till, the outgoing commander, received an honorary membership in the Order of St. Michael for all of his hard work and contributions to the aviation regiment and the National Guard.

"We do our combat missions no matter where we are," said Col. Brent Bracewell, 171st Aviation Regiment commander. "We do it safely because of good leadership."

The 171st Aviation Regiment has been involved in many domestic missions including support during Hurricane Ike, Katrina and Rita. They also assisted in the wild fires in South Georgia in 2007. They have also seen a deployment to Iraq in 2003 and continue to train and prepare units for the same deployment.

"Command is a big responsibility," said Brig. Gen. Maria Britt, Army Guard commander. "You are in charge of a very valuable resource, our sons and daughters." Britt also praised Wilson as a proven and competent leader and thanked him for stepping up to lead.

"This battalion is blessed to be welcoming such a great leader," said Bracewell. "Wilson lives in such a way that he puts Soldiers before himself. My challenge to you," he said looking at the new commander, "is to take a good unit and make it better."

Wilson thanked both Bracewell and Till for their mentorship and the for opportunity to command this battalion. "As an officer, there is no greater job and no greater responsibility than to be entrusted with the care of the sons and daughters of this great nation," said Wilson. "It’s a sacred trust that I do not take lightly."

In parting, Till had a few words for Wilson. "Get ready for the best assignment in your military career, as the commander of the best battalion in the Army."