A change of command ceremony on Aug. 12, held outside of the Joint Visitors Bureau at Camp Victory, Iraq, started a new page in the history of the XVIII Airborne Corps.

Before Maj. Jack W. Sander III relinquished command of 270th SigA,A!nal Company to Maj. John Meek, the company merged with Multi-National Corps - Iraq's communications secA,A!tion to become Company C, Special Troops Battalion, Task Force Dragon.

"Leading a brand new company that has absolutely no history is very exciting," said 1st Sgt. Adam TweeA,A!dell, first sergeant, Co. C, STB, TF Dragon.

This new company will provide efficiency and a smoother transition between the planning and operational phases to the physical execution of the communications mission, said Lt. Col. William J. Wanovich, battalion commander, STB, TF Dragon.

"This merging falls under the Army wide transformation," he added.

According to Wanovich, this mergA,A!er will allow cross training between the different specialties in the unit because of the similar backgrounds, which will expand the capabilities of the unit as a whole.

Meek, who was previously the opA,A!erations officer-in-charge for the STB, has a wealth of signal experience on his side, which makes him ideal to take charge of the newly formed Co. C Wanovich said.

"Major Meek has done a great job working in operations for STB," he added. "This will give him the chance to fill a key position in STB for MNC-I and XVIII Airborne Corps."

"It is really an honor to command this unit. There are no words," Meek said.

The Corps will complete its transA,A!formation with the scheduled stand up of Company A in November.