Lt. Col. Ross F. Nelson, 1st Bn., 212th Avn. Regt. commander, assumes command from Lt. Col. Raymond J. Herrera, as he accepts the battalion colors from Col. Jayson A. Altieri, 110th Avn. Bde. commander, during a change of command ceremony May 8 on Ho...
FORT RUCKER, Ala. (May 14, 2015) -- The 1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment welcomed its new commander while bidding farewell to its former commander during a change of command ceremony on Howze Field May 8.
Lt. Col. Ross F. Nelson assumed command from Lt. Col. Raymond J. Herrera as Soldiers from the unit stood in formation and the 98th Army "Silver Wings" Band played.
"(Soldiers of) the 1-212th have been fortunate to have a command team like Ray and Lara Herrera at the controls. Ray has provided calm, steady leadership in critical times of change in Army Aviation operations, (and he) has been a cornerstone of the success of (the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence) here that allows Fort Rucker to train the best combat Aviators in the world," said Col. Jayson A. Altieri, 110th Aviation Brigade commander.
"As much as we are extremely fortunate to have had Ray and Lara as leaders in this battalion, we're just as lucky to have Lt. Col. Ross Nelson taking the controls," the colonel added. "You are no stranger to Fort Rucker, and you bring a wealth of leadership, experience and tactical knowledge to the battalion. I know the Wings battalion is in good hands."
Having served as the battalion S3 for the 1st Bn., 13th Avn. Regt., the brigade S3 and brigade executive officer for 1st Avn. Bde., Nelson returns to Fort Rucker confident, and with a wealth of knowledge and leadership skills.
He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and was commissioned into the Army as an Aviation second lieutenant.
He's served in many leadership assignments on multiple continents, including as the executive officer for E Company, 1st Bn., 58th Avn. Regt. (Air Traffic Services); flight platoon leader in C Co., 2nd Bn., 10th Avn. Regt.; military adviser to the Kuwait Ministry of Defense in Kuwait City, Kuwait; and most recently as the professor of military science at the University of South Dakota Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps program.
"Jennifer, the kids and I are very excited to be back in Fort Rucker and in the Wiregrass," said the incoming commander. "We feel very humbled and blessed to be given the opportunity to be part of and lead a team with a reputation as great as the 1-212th."
That reputation includes more than 400 men and women who dedicate their time to the battalion that has flown more than 180,000 hours, and trained over 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students in the past 25 months while maintaining an impeccable safety record -- earning the Order of Daedalians two years in a row, according to Herrera.
"We're being replaced with a great command team … and I can honestly say, without hesitation, Ross, that you're absolutely the best man for the job," said the outgoing commander. "I have no doubt that you'll keep moving us in the right direction, and wish you and your family the best of luck."
Although Nelson said the work won't be easy, he fully intends to commit to the task ahead to ensure the unit's success.
"I do not take this opportunity lightly and know that I'm here today not of my own doing, but due to the assistance and support of many throughout my career," he said. "To the 1-212th, you look amazing, and I cannot be more proud and humble to join the team. I know the work will be hard, but I'm excited and know we'll have a lot of fun along the way."
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