Spartan Brigade gets new leadership, welcomes four new battalion commanders

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska - The 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division underwent significant changes in leadership recently by holding four battalion-level change of command ceremonies at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Nov. 24 and 25, 2014.

Incoming commanders with the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 501st Infantry Regiment, the 2nd Battalion, 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment, and the 725th Brigade Support Battalion (Airborne) formally assumed commands of their respective battalions as the outgoing commanders passed their battalions' colors during the traditional "passing of the colors" events.

The first ceremony featured Lt. Col. Patrick S. Altenburg, the 3/509th's outgoing commander, welcoming the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Matthew J. Hardman, with jokes and praises of his battalion's accomplishments.

"It was what I felt was my last jump, four jumps ago, which really illustrates why I love jumping with these paratroopers," said Altenburg. "I don't like jumping, but I love these paratroopers, platoon leaders and XOs (executive officers). It's my greatest honor to be a part of bringing you into the airborne infantry and watching you grow into future Army leaders."

The 9th Army Band made the trip from Fort Wainwright, Alaska, to add live music to the events, which was well-received by guests. The 4/25's brigade commander, Col. Matthew W. McFarlane, said the band adds excellence and tradition to the ceremonies.

Next on the busy week's schedule featured the 2/377th PFAR's incoming commander, Lt. Col. Benjamin Luper, accepting the battalion's colors as he formally assumed command. The outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Christopher J. Ward, spoke of accomplishing great tasks over his two years in command, including being the best airborne artillery unit to go to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

"The 82nd Airborne Division needed to be out there," said Ward. "They need to be taking notes. That training event was the hugest success of this battalion and put PFAR on the map within the artillery community. While we walked away with many lessons and areas to improve, it was obvious that this battalion at the time was the best airborne artillery battalion in the Army."

The 1/501 Infantry and the 725th BSB change of commands followed on Nov. 25. Lt. Col. Tobin A. Magsig, the 1/501 outgoing commander, kept his speech brief with heart-felt remarks about his years in command and his experiences with the 1-Geronimo Battalion. The incoming commander, Lt. Col. Jason W. Condrey, followed with his incoming speech focusing on the way ahead for the battalion.

Lt. Col. Peter J. Crandall, the outgoing commander of the 725th BSB, kept his remarks short noting that the Army is big, yet small at the same time as he knew the incoming commander, Lt. Col. LaHavie J. Brunson, back when they both were stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

The week's change of command ceremonies wrapped up just before the Thanksgiving weekend, culminating with a brigade change of command ceremony. The 4/25's outgoing commander, Col. Matthew McFarlane, passed the unit's colors to U.S. Army Alaska's commanding general, Maj. Gen. Michael Shields, who then in turn, passed the colors to the incoming commander, Col. Scott A. Green.