Maj. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby, commander general, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley passes the brigade colors to Col. David Gardner, commander of 2nd ABCT, 1st Inf. Div., on July 15 at the "Dagger" brigade change of command and responsibility ceremon...
Col. Miles Brown, center, presents the command of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, to Maj. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr., 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, during a ceremony July 15 at Fort Riley's Cavalr...
FORT RILEY, Kansas -- After two years of serving as the commander of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, Col. Miles Brown, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Larry H. Orvis Jr., relinquished command and responsibility to Col. David Gardner and Command Sgt. Maj. Craig A. Copridge on July 15 at Cavalry Parade Field.
Under Brown's command, the "Dagger" brigade became the first unit in the Army to go through two consecutive decisive-action training environment rotations at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California. This training prepared the brigade's Soldiers for their nine-month deployment in support of Operation Spartan Shield where they conducted theater security cooperation and partnership missions within the Central Command area of responsibility.
The ceremony also served as the brigade's official return from that deployment as the unit colors were uncased before the changes of command and responsibility.
Brown and Orvis truly embody what it means to be great leaders, said Maj. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr., commanding general, 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley.
"What they accomplished as Dagger 6 and 7 is simply amazing," Grigsby said. "They realigned a heavy brigade combat team and modeled it into a lethal armored brigade combat team focused on supporting Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve through theater security operations. They have added another great chapter to the Big Red One history."
Brown said his strength, as well as the strength of the brigade, came from many who supported the Dagger Soldiers.
"The Soldiers in this formation are strong," Brown said. "They are strong because of their spouses and families. I could not, nor would I be a Soldier today if it was not without the love and support of my family.
"We must also give thanks to our community partners for their support both during and after our deployment," Brown said. "They have truly made (Fort Riley) the best place to come home to. I know they will do the same for both the Gardner and Copridge families."
Gardner's previous assignment was at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he served on the faculty of the School of Advanced Military Studies. This is his first assignment within the 1st Inf. Div. Copridge's previous assignment was as the senior noncommissioned officer for 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart, Georgia.
Brown's next assignment is as the chief of staff for the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colorado. Orvis's next assignment is at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
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