FORT RUCKER, Ala. (Jan. 7, 2015) -- As the world prepared for a new year, the 110th Aviation Brigade welcomed a new command sergeant major.
Command Sgt. Maj. Lloyd S. Ankrum, 110th Avn. Bde. command sergeant major, assumed responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Stanley D. Singell during a change of responsibility ceremony at Howze Field Dec. 16.
Col. Kelly E. Hines, 110th Avn. Bde commander, presided over the ceremony and took the opportunity to thank and bid farewell to the outgoing CSM while welcoming the new command team.
"Today marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next as we say farewell to Singell and welcome Ankrum," said Hines during the ceremony. "The CSM of the 110th must be a competent leader with impeccable character and unyielding commitment, and (Singell) is a shining example of the warrior class of the United States and the NCO that all Soldiers should strive to be.
"But as is the Army way, the departure of one leadership team marks the arrival of a new one, and I could not have asked for a better than Command Sergeant Major Ankrum and his wife, Allison," he continued.
"I can't tell you how excited we are to be back in the southeast," said Ankrum. "If you'd asked me 23 years and three months ago what I'd be doing today, I assure you that assuming responsibility of an Aviation training brigade would not be one of my answers. I'm humbled and honored to have been selected to continue serving as a command sergeant major at the world's premiere Army Aviation training center."
Ankrum began his military career when he enlisted in the Army in 1992, attending Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, followed by Aviation Logistics Course Advanced Individual Training at Fort Rucker.
In his 23-year career, he has served in various positions in numerous assignments across the world, including with C Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment in Fort Riley, Kansas, and Katterbach, Germany; and with D Co., 1st Bn., 3rd Avn. Regt., in Katterbach, and Hunter Army Airfield, Savannah, Georgia.
Upon graduation from the Sergeants Major Academy, he's held multiple leadership positions, including battalion command sergeant major for 4-2 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, Camp Humphreys, South Korea, and battalion command sergeant major for the 2-1 General Support Aviation Battalion, Fort Riley, Kansas.
With his wealth of experience, both Hines and Singell are confident that Ankrum is up to the job. Singell added that the assignment will not be without its surprises and that any achievements of the brigade are the result of a team effort.
"Any position we achieve is really a culmination of where we started from and what we have done up to that point -- such is the case here today," he said. "I couldn't have been prouder to have served and ended my career with (all of the officers, NCOs, Soldiers and civilians of this brigade).
"Everything that we achieved in this brigade is a direct result of your hard work and efforts. I'm truly grateful to all of you," he continued. "(Ankrum), you'll soon discover that there are no greater people and no greater friends to any post than those of the Wiregrass that surrounds Fort Rucker. I know you will fit in fine, and wish you and Allison the best as you assume your duties here today."
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