FARGO, N.D. - Col. Lannie Runck assumed command of the North Dakota Army National Guard's only deployable brigade-level military unit at a Change of Command Ceremony here on Sunday.
Runck, Fargo, officially accepted responsibility of the Fargo-based 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) from Brig. Gen. Alan Dohrmann, Bismarck, during the ceremony at the Fargo Armed Forces Reserve Center. Both officers recently returned from a yearlong mobilization to Kosovo, where Runck served as chief of staff and Dohrmann as commander of the U.S.-led Multinational Battle Group-East, part of NATO's peacekeeping operations in the Balkans.
"I couldn't be more proud to take command of a unit such as this," Runck told an assembled group of Soldiers and guests. "But this day isn't about me; it's about you."
Runck said the MEB has been in transition ever since it was stood up as a unit only a few short years ago. When it started, many of its members were already deployed to Iraq under a different command, then, not long afterward, the unit began preparing for its peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
"It was a privilege for me to lead such a dedicated, mission-oriented group of Soldiers," Dohrmann said. "Their performance in Kosovo was outstanding, and I know there are great things ahead for them and their new commander as they continue to transition this brigade and develop it into one of the best maneuver enhancement brigades in the National Guard."
Now, finally home, the 141st has a chance to organize its personnel, receive new equipment and prepare for future missions in North Dakota and elsewhere.
"We have a lot of work ahead of us," Runck said, "but we're off to a great start."
Nearly 200 Soldiers comprise the 141st MEB, which oversees units throughout eastern North Dakota. About 1,600 Soldiers who attend drills in Carrington, Wishek, Jamestown, Edgeley, Oakes, Wahpeton, Grand Forks, Valley City and Lisbon fall under the 141st.
A maneuver enhancement brigade provides operational and sustainment support for subordinate battalions and other units in wartime and during peacetime operations, such as what took place in Kosovo. The unit also provides the state with invaluable emergency response capabilities and equipment.
Brig. Gen. William Seekins, North Dakota National Guard's Land Component commander, presided over Sunday's traditional change-of-command ritual, which dates to the 18th century. Command Sgt. Maj. Guy Boschee, senior enlisted Soldier with the 141st, also took part in the ceremony.
Seekins also addressed the 141st Soldiers and stressed the importance of their roles to the nation and the state in times of emergency.
"Col. Runck is up to the challenge and his Soldiers are ready to meet that challenge with him," Seekins said. "You are absolutely awesome. Whenever you get the call, you are there - you are there."
During the change over ceremony, the unit "colors" - organizational flags - were passed from the outgoing commander (Dohrmann) to the incoming leader (Runck).
Runck, a native of the Casselton, N.D., area, was joined at the ceremony by a number of friends and family, including his wife, Ann. He currently serves in a full-time capacity as officer in charge of the 141st and manages a support staff of nearly 100 people.
He has been a member of the North Dakota Army National Guard since January 1976.
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Since the 2001 terrorist attacks on America, the North Dakota National Guard has mobilized more than 3,500 Soldiers and more than 1,800 Airmen in support of the Global War on Terrorism. Currently, about 75 North Dakota Guardsmen are serving overseas while more than 4,000 remain in the state for emergency response and national defense. For every 10,000 citizens in North Dakota, 65 serve in the North Dakota National Guard, a rate that's more than four times the national average.
<u>Photos:</u> High-resolution photos to accompany this release are available on Flickr: www.flickr.com/photos/ndguard. Navigate to the photo set titled "141st MEB Change of Command."
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