1-14th Avn. Regt. welcomes new commander

By Nathan Pfau, Army Flier Staff WriterJune 26, 2015

1-14th Avn. Regt. welcomes new commander
Lt. Col. Jeffrey S. Dahlgren, 1st Bn., 14th Avn. Regt. commander, accepts the unit colors from Col. Jayson A. Altieri, 110th Aviation Brigade commander, as he assumes command from Lt. Col. Mark C. Gillespie during a change of command ceremony at Howz... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (June 26, 2015) -- As Soldiers stood in formation, the 98th Army "Silver Wings" Band played, and civilians and family members looked on, the 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment welcomed a new commander June 18.

Lt. Col. Jeffrey S. Dahlgren assumed command of the unit from Lt. Col. Mark C. Gillespie as the unit colors changed hands during a ceremony on Howze Field.

Col. Jayson A. Altieri, 110th Aviation Brigade commander, presided over the ceremony and expressed his confidence in the new commander while bidding farewell to the departing family.

"The Tomahawks have indeed been fortunate to have the command team of Lt. Col. Mark and Amy Gillespie at the controls. Both Mark and his wife have provided calm and steady leadership and support, critical to running an important Aviation mission that is challenging under any environment," said the 110th commander during the ceremony. "Mark has set the example as a competent, passionate, mission-focused selfless leader.

"In so much as the 1-14th was extremely fortunate to have Mark as their leader these past four years, they are just as lucky to have Jeff Dahlgren taking the controls," he continued. "Jeff brings with him both a wealth of leadership and experience, and tactical knowledge to the battalion having recently come from the Army Joint Support Team. We also want to welcome his wife and son to the brigade. I know that that the Tomahawk battalion is in good hands."

Dahlgren is no stranger to Fort Rucker, having served as the operations officer for the 1-212th Avn. Regt., as well as the 110th Avn. Bde.

His wealth of leadership experience spans multiple continents and includes assignments such as liaison officer for Task Force 2-1 KFOR during Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo; attack platoon leader for the 1-1st Avn. Regt. in Katterbach Germany; liaison officer for 2-101st Avn. Regt. in Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Operation Iraqi Freedom; and deputy team chief and security force assistance adviser for the 2-28th Infantry Regt. during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.

He is a decorated Soldier whose awards include the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with numeral 5, the Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, as well as the Army Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters.

"We are excited to be back in the Wiregrass and exceptionally blessed to a part of the Tomahawk family," said Dahlgren during the ceremony. "To my fellow Tomahawks, you look great as always, and I look forward to training students with each and every one of you."

The incoming commander also took the time to thank Gillespie for his leadership and guidance during the transition period, and said he will do his best to continue the work his predecessor has performed.

Part of that work is training the more than 8,000 flight school and graduate-level Aviators within the 110th Avn. Bde. for six days a week, 50 weeks a year with over 100,000 flight hours in Gillespie's battalion alone, according to Altieri.

Although Dahlgren has the daunting task of leading the unit, Gillespie said he has full confidence that the new commander is up to the task.

"I spent the last few weeks talking with Lieutenant Colonel Dahlgren and I'm 100 percent confident that the Army made the right decision in selecting him to lead the Tomahawk team," said the outgoing commander. "He brings with him a great family and team, and a wealth of operational and institutional knowledge and experience. He will continue to raise the bar and set new standards for the Tomahawks as he leads this brigade."

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