197th Infantry Brigade welcomes new commander

Fort Benning's 197th Infantry Brigade said farewell to its leader, COL Gregory Kane, and welcomed incoming commander COL Ryan Kuhn during a ceremony held Tuesday at the Parade Field behind the National Infantry Museum.

Reviewing officer COL Bryan Owens, deputy commander of the U.S. Army Infantry Center, said the ceremony is a milestone in the brigade's history.

"Greg established a climate of teamwork and discipline ... he inspired Soldiers," Owens said.

Owens said he expects Kuhn will continue to carry on the brigade's mission without missing a beat.

"Colonel Kuhn is no stranger to Fort Benning. We are thrilled to have him back on the team. He's a proven combat leader," Owens said.

Kuhn said his priority would be to provide world-class training and support.

"I look forward to building upon the accomplishments of this brigade," he said.

Kuhn previously served as deputy commander for 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team.

Kuhn was commissioned after graduating from Kemper Military School and College in 1984. Kuhn holds a bachelor of science, and master's degrees in science and strategic studies. He is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, Army Command and Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

In his farewell, Kane cited the brigade's accomplishments during his tenure and his pride in the troops.

"We've run 28,900 training events in support of the Infantry Center ... conducted 800 resident courses training master gunners, snipers, mortar leaders, mechanized leaders and twenty other functional skills," Kane said. "We were selected as the 2009 Army Maintenance Excellence Award winner in the large unit category.

"The Soldiers of the brigade are professionals who could always be counted on.

"Next to watching my son being born, serving this brigade has been the highlight of my life."

Kane said he felt the new commander would succeed with the brigade.

"Jane and I are confident in knowing you are taking command of this team," Kane told Kuhn.

Only one-third of the brigade was present for the ceremony, which Kane said is a reflection of their mission on Fort Benning.

"If the entire brigade was here, Fort Benning would shut down," he said.

The brigade serves multiple roles and is responsible for training approximately 95,000 Soldiers each year, as well as providing operational support at the CONUS Replacement Center.

Kane's next assignment will be as the chief of operations for the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, N.C.