12th Aviation Battalion welcomes new command sergeant major

By Staff Sgt. Jennifer C. Johnson, JFHQ-NCR/MDWApril 22, 2015

12th Aviation Battalion welcomes new command sergeant major
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Robert L. Hill Jr (left), incoming 12th Aviation Battalion senior enlisted advisor, accepts sword of the noncommissioned officer from Lt Col. James T. Donovan, the 12th Aviation battalion commander, during a change of responsibilit... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
12th Aviation Battalion welcomes new command sergeant major
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt Col. James T. Donovan (left), the 12th Aviation battalion commander, receives the sword of the noncommissioned officer from Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Sutterfield, outgoing 12th Aviation Battalion senior enlisted advisor, during a change of resp... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
12th Aviation Battalion welcomes new command sergeant major
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

12th Aviation Battalion "Wings of Freedom" hosted a change of responsibility ceremony held in the Lewis L. Stone Hangar on Davison Army Air Field, Fort Belvoir, Va., April 17.

Lt Col. James T. Donovan, the 12th Aviation battalion commander, presided over the ceremony transferring responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Sutterfield to Command Sgt. Maj. Robert L. Hill Jr.

"I have enjoyed every minute of the past 22 months," said Sutterfield. "I have learned a lot about our Soldiers, our Civilians, my family, but most importantly myself."

"It's important to maintain continuity, but it is just as important to welcome change," said Hill. "I look forward to serving alongside Lt. Col. Donovan and continuing the outstanding legacy that the 12th Aviation Battalion has established."

The 12th Aviation Battalion conducts air movement and engineer technical rescue operations for senior leaders of the Army, Department of Defense and United States Government, while maintaining a continuous alert posture in support of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region in order to sustain a rapid response, readiness, and support force capability.

"The 12th Aviation Battalion is a learning organization. Every day standards and techniques are challenged," said Sutterfield. "Whether it be in the hangars, on the flight line, in the motor pool, in a trench, down a hole, or at a desk, every individual in the unit are striving to make things better, more efficient, and more responsive to our missions and customers."

Sutterfield will move on to the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Ala.

"This battalion has a history of great leadership and I will continue that history as the battalion sergeant major," said Hill. "I look forward to serving with the Soldiers of the 12th Aviation Battalion."

Hill is coming from Camp Humphrey's, South Korea as the 602nd Aviation Support Battalion support operation noncommissioned officer.

Related Links:

Learn more about the U.S. Army Air Operations Group

Learn more about the 12th Aviation Battalion

Learn more about the U.S. Army Military District of Washington

More photos from this event