FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Soldiers of 10th Combat Aviation Brigade recently welcomed back a former commander, retired Maj. Gen. Kenneth J. Quinlan Jr., while the brigade took a break from training to celebrate during its holiday ball in Alexandria Bay.

Quinlan commanded the Falcon Brigade from June 1995 to July 1997.

"It's great to be back in the North Country. This is a super community -- one that embraces the 10th Mountain Division, its Soldiers and Families," Quinlan said. "There's a personal connection because (my wife) Lynn and I were part of the Falcon Brigade."

During his guest speaker remarks at the 10th CAB Holiday Ball, Quinlan made reference to the massive transformation the brigade has undergone since his departure, as Army aviation evolves to meet the demands of today's ground forces in the contemporary operating environment.

The 10th CAB has grown considerably since Quinlan's tenure 17 years ago, both in the number of personnel assigned and aircraft present. With the addition of more troops and aircraft comes greater demand for state-of-the-art facilities needed to support them.

"The quality of life at Fort Drum has gotten significantly better," Quinlan said. "(Former Maj. Gen. Thomas N.) Burnette (then commanding general of the 10th Mountain Division), with the assistance of Congressman (John) McHugh, now the current secretary of the Army, built the (Program Objectives Memorandum) that began the journey to create the incredible 10th Aviation Brigade facilities you enjoy today."

During Quinlan's time with the 10th CAB, he had 1,200 Soldiers and 88 aircraft under his command. The brigade has since more than doubled its number of personnel assigned and currently operates more than 100 aircraft after the activation of its new MQ-1C Gray Eagle company in July of this year.

"I think this brigade and Army aviation in general have earned their spurs over the last dozen years, and it's great to see and be around Soldiers, Families and the leadership," Quinlan said. "Enjoy and take advantage of your facilities, but your passion must remain focused on what makes the American Soldier dominant against ever present threats in the world."

Quinlan and current 10th CAB Commander, Col. Michael C. McCurry, are no strangers to each other. McCurry previously served under Quinlan as a platoon leader in the Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Company and as a cavalry support detachment commander in the 82nd Aviation Brigade, at Fort Bragg, N.C., as well as an OH-58D cavalry troop commander here in the 10th CAB in the late 1990s. He said he considers Quinlan to be his mentor.

"The great thing about Maj. Gen. Quinlan is that he always took personal interest" in the lives of my wife Sadie and me, McCurry said. "He has known us since I was a lieutenant and before we were married. He is almost like my 'Army dad.'"

McCurry said he credits Quinlan's guidance and mentorship with helping to bring him and the Falcon Brigade to where they are today.

"I'm not concerned at all with the direction the Army and Army aviation are heading," Quinlan said. "We've got another greatest generation that has earned their spurs and then some over the last dozen years, and Mac (McCurry) has been a big part of that."