Brigade officer pinned by British commander

By Sgt. Tracy Smith
48th IBCT
Public Affairs Office

On the final full day of training in Carnoustie, Scotland’s Barry Buddon British Army training camp gifts were presented and handshakes exchanged. The commanding officer of the British Army’s 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, Lt. Col. David Rhodes, (right) said the pride of any commander is to promote and recognize the achievements of his Soldier. With that statement he promoted 1st Lt. James H. Clay to the rank of Captain.

Captain Clay will serve as the 1-118th Field Artillery Regiment’s Administrative Officer, a position formally held by Captain Kevin Nicklay, (center) who took command of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, just hours prior to the 1-118th FA composite company’s departure for their two-week annual training with their Territorial Army counterparts.

The “Ol’ Hickory Field Artillery” Soldiers participation in Exercise Yorkshire Claymore is part of the Georgia Army National Guard’s on-going joint training initiative with the 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, a Territorial Army reserve component of the British Army. The training is in preparations for the 48th IBCT (L)’s upcoming deployment to Afghanistan.