FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- Members of the U.S. Army Asymmetric Warfare Group welcomed the new commander of the Concepts and Integration Squadron during a change of command ceremony here July 2.
Col. Patrick J. Mahaney Jr., the commander of the AWG, hosted the ceremony where Lt. Col. Michael Richardson assumed command of the CIS from Lt. Col. William M. Huff, who commanded the squadron since July 2011.
"(The Concepts Integration Squadron) directly works to defeat current and emerging threats ... threats that are often irregular, asymmetric and hybrid, and are increasingly clever, adaptive and networked," Mahaney said. "The way I see it, they own the meeting point where not only concepts are tested and integrated together, but where they are then taken to meet reality."
The CIS, also known as the Dog Squadron, is one of four squadrons in the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's AWG. The AWG rapidly identifies, develops and integrates non-material and supports material solution development, which supports the unit's Group Priority Efforts to enhance Soldier survivability and combat effectiveness.
Priority efforts include mobility enhancements and increasing the understanding of the operational environment through the Asymmetric Operations Work Group. The CIS provides the linkage between global scout observations of AWG Operational advisers into TRADOC, the Army and across the joint, interagency, multinational, public and private communities.
Huff, who is headed to the National War College, National Defense University, spoke highly of his time with the AWG and personally thanked the members of the Concepts and Integration Squadron.
"Thanks to the leadership, Soldiers, civilians and contractors within Dog Squadron that (made my time here) special," Huff said.
Richardson, originally from Burke, Va., is no stranger to the AWG, and said he looks forward to the challenge of commanding his new squadron.
"Thank you for the confidence you have place in me," Richardson said. "I won't let you down,"
Richardson's previous assignments include 2nd Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division; 307th Engineer Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division; 10th Special Forces Group; 1st Special Warfare Training Group; and a troop commander and squadron commander of the AWG. He is a graduate of Gettysburg College; University of California, Los Angeles; and the Naval Post Graduate School.
The AWG provides operational advisory support to Army and joint force commanders globally to enhance Soldier survivability and combat effectiveness, and enable the defeat of current and emerging threats in support of unified land operations. The AWG has about 350 Soldiers, civilians and contractors who are seasoned warfighters and functional area experts. Beside the CIS, the unit is comprised of two operational squadrons and a training, recruiting and assessment squadron.
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