1-145th welcomes new command team, hosts Vietnam vets

By Nathan Pfau, Army Flier Staff WriterJune 11, 2015

1-145th welcomes new command team, hosts Vietnam vets
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Joseph J. Hodgson, 1st Bn., 145th Avn. Regt., receives the unit colors from Col. Shawn Prickett, 1st Avn. Bde. commander, as he assumes command of the unit from Lt. Col. Marcus A. Gengler during a change of command and responsibility ceremon... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
1-145th welcomes new command team, hosts Vietnam vets
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Veterans from the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) Association and family members check out a static display while being hosted by the 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment June 4-7. Nearly 140 members of the unit came together during the r... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RUCKER, Ala. (June 11, 2015) -- As veterans of the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam) observed from the stands, the 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment welcomed a new command team.

Lt. Col. Joseph J. Hodgson assumed command of the unit from Lt. Col. Marcus A. Gengler, and Command Sgt. Maj. David S. Lane assumed responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Harris during a change of command and responsibility ceremony on Howze field June 5.

Col. Shawn Prickett, 1st Aviation Brigade commander, presided over the ceremony to welcome the new command team, as well as bid farewell to the outgoing leaders.

"We welcome Lieutenant Colonel Hodgson and Command Sergeant Major Lane and their families to the Golden Hawk and Old Warriors family," said the brigade commander. "I have every confidence that you are the right leaders to continue the legacy of this great organization. Thank you for taking on this awesome responsibility.

"To Marcus and Command Sergeant Major Harris, your leadership has certainly shaped the cohort of Aviation leaders and our operational force, and it will for the foreseeable future," he continued. "You have honored those warriors who have gone before you and you've made a tremendous impact on our Army."

Hodgson comes to Fort Rucker from his most recent assignment as the 101st Airborne Division's (Air Assault) J35 (Future Operations) for Joint Task Force -- Operation United Assistance in Liberia.

He started his career in the Army as a commissioned officer with the 1st Bn., 82nd Avn. Bde. as the company executive officer, and has an extensive leadership career ranging from platoon leader for the 2nd Bn., 82nd Avn. Bde., to the battalion S3 for 3rd Bn., 4th Combat Aviation Brigade. Hodgson has served in multiple deployments and served on multiple continents with assignments in Germany, France, Iraq and Africa.

Lane has also served in multiple leadership positions since his enlistment into the Army in 1993 as an OH-58 observation scout helicopter mechanic, and his assignments include OH-58 A/C observation scout helicopter crew chief for the 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment; first sergeant for the 3rd Bn., 25th Avn. Regt.; and operations chief for the 159th Avn. Bde.

He has been deployed four times: three times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and once in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

"Robin and I are excited to be here and become part of this battalion and the larger Army Aviation Center of Excellence team," said the new commander. "We want to thank the Gengler clan and Sergeant Major Harris for their hospitality throughout the transition. We are honored to join the Fort Rucker team and proud to have the opportunity to serve and lead the Old Warriors as we drive the development and focus the military education of our future Aviation and Army leaders."

Gengler also expressed his confidence in the new command team and thanked all of those who came before them to make the unit what it is today.

"The Old Warriors are in great hands. Lieutenant Colonel Joe and Robin Hodgson, you are the right team for this unique battalion. I'm confident that you and Sergeant Major Lane will be a great command team and I wish you the best of luck as you move forward," he said. "It's fitting today that we share the change of command ceremony with the reunion of the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion (Vietnam). Thank you for your service and sacrifice so many years ago and for participating in today's ceremony."

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