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| Lieutenant Col. Anthony Abbott, the new commander of 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery receives the unit guidon from Brig. Gen. Larry H. Ross, commander 78th Troop Command during the change of command ceremony at Calhoun Highway armory in Elberton, (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc. Curtis Porter III) |
124th MPAD
ELBERTON, Saturday, June 10, 2006 – Georgia’s 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery received its new commander and said “so long” to the officer leaving that position. Family, friends and officials, both local and state filled the drill hall of the Calhoun Highway armory to capacity.
Taking the reins of the 214th is Lt. Col. Anthony Abbott of Dacula. Abbott, full-time state training administrator for Joint Forces Headquarters Plans and Operations in Ellenwood, commanded the 170th Military Police Battalion headquartered in Decatur on the M-Day side before taking over the 214th. He’s been a Guardsman for a little over 18 years.
Lieutenant Col. Woodrow “Woody” S. Radcliffe, leaves the unit and moves on to Carlisle Barracks, Pa., where he will attend the Army War College. Besides having commanded the 214th, Radcliffe is the former commander of
With the passing of the 214th guidon from the old to the new commander, Abbott stepped to the podium and made it clear that he expects much from his Soldiers, especially his noncommissioned officers.
“While I’m here, we’re going to train for war, prepare for disaster and take care of soldiers,” he said to the audience and the Soldiers assembled before him. “Everything we do in keeping ourselves physically and mentally prepared for whatever the mission may be is of the utmost importance.
“But to be ready also means making sure our Soldiers and their families have their problems dealt with because each is important to accomplishing that mission successfully,” he went on. “That’s why I expect my NCOs to ‘lead from the front and by example,’ and to remember that ‘Soldiers Matter.’”
Abbott completed his remarks by wishing his predecessor well on his newest endeavor, and by thanking Brig. Gen. Larry H. Ross, commander 78th Troop Command in Decatur, for his support and having confidence in Abbott’s leadership abilities.
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Unit flags are displayed proudly during the change of command ceremony held for outgoing commander Lt. Col. Woodrow Radcliffe and the incoming commander Lt. Col. Anthony Abbott at 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery headquarters in Elberton. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc. Curtis Porter III)
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As most Soldiers know, the field artillery is the Army's fire support branch – its "King of the Battlefield." Its leaders must destroy, neutralize or suppress the enemy by cannon, rocket or missile fire and integrate all supporting fires--Field Artillery, tactical air, Naval guns, Army aviation and mortars--into combined-arms operations. Field Artillerymen put "Steel on Target" in the right places, at the right time and in the right proportions to assure the success of maneuver commander's plan--a task that requires thorough understanding of maneuver and fire support doctrine, tactics and techniques. Abbott and Radcliffe agreed that they have ever confidence in the ability of the 214th to carryout that philosophy, not just to the best of their combined abilities, but by going beyond them.
“I’m very satisfied with the past two years I’ve commanded these Soldiers,” he said. “The 214th is as professional a force today as we’ve ever had in the Georgia Army National Guard
“And in respect to command, I don’t know of anyone who can do a better job than colonel Abbott of carrying on the legacy of superior leadership that is very much a part of the history of this unit.”
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Stepping to the microphone, Brig. Gen. Larry H. Ross, commander 78th Troop Command in Decatur, congratulated Abbott and Radcliffe on their new assignments. Turning to the audience and the Soldiers of the 214th, he related his feelings the events of the day.
“We are one of the luckiest countries in the history of the world to be able to gather here today and participate in a peaceful change in leadership, what I liken to a ‘bloodless coupe,’” he said with a smile. “Lieutenant colonel Radcliffe is an outstanding warrior, a great trainer, mentor and a leader, and he can, and does, do it all.
As for lieutenant colonel Abbott, he is warrior of some repute and he’s coming back to his roots, the field artillery, and I have no doubts whatsoever that he will do this unit and the Georgia Army National Guard proud.”
At Left: Brigadier Gen. Larry H. Ross, commander 78th Troop Command, and his wife Cathy, congratulate Linda Radcliffe on her receiving an award of appreciation for her support of her husband, Lt. Col. Woodrow Radcliffe, during his tenure as commander of Elberton’s 1st Battalion, 214th Field Artillery, during the change of command ceremony held in the drill hall of the Calhoun Highway armory. (Georgia National Guard photo by Spc. Curtis Porter III)