FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 13, 2015) -- The 110th Aviation Brigade welcomed a new commander as Soldiers, families and community members looked on during a ceremony at Howze field July 1.
Col. Kelly E. Hines assumed command from Col. Jayson A. Altieri as the unit colors passed from one commander to the next, and Maj. Gen. Michael D. Lundy, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general, presided over the ceremony.
"This is a very important occasion as it marks the end of one team's tenure and the start of another's. When you think about the Altieris and the impact that they've had on our Army and our Branch over the last two years, it is absolutely phenomenal," said the commanding general. "As we bid farewell to one team, we welcome another great Army family to our team. I've known Kelly and Shannon for a long time and there's nobody that I can think of who is better to bring into this team."
"Shannon and I are both honored and privileged to be joining the Warrior family today," said Hines. "Jayson, many thanks to you and Shelly for handing me such a fine unit -- I couldn't have asked for more. I look forward to continuing your track record of providing the ground force with the best possible Aviation Soldiers in the world."
Hines began his military career as an Infantryman in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1985 where he began his leadership career as a machine gunner, fire team leader, squad leader and platoon leader.
His Aviation leadership career includes assignments from flight section leader and operations officer for Multinational Force and Observers in Sinai, Egypt, and platoon leader and liaison officer for the 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to company commander and battalion S3 for 3rd Bn., 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, Iraq and Afghanistan, and commander of the 2nd Bn., 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, and Afghanistan.
Hines is no stranger to Fort Rucker and the Wiregrass, as he served as the director of the USAACE Directorate of Evaluations and Standardization -- a job that Lundy feels has prepared him for the task ahead.
"I can't think of a better job to prepare you for this command," said the commanding general. "As we think to the future and what this brigade has already accomplished over the last two years as we transition through (the Army Restructuring Initiative) and asked it to do a lot, we've got an even tougher mission ahead."
The 110th has what Lundy called the "most difficult mission of any flying brigade" in the Army, with over 600 aircraft of every Army airframe, launching hundreds of aircraft a day, and training new students daily in all hours of the day and in all conditions, despite having a limited amount of resources.
"This brigade does a lot with very little, and they deliver every day and they've done it absolutely superbly under the leadership of Jayson. Jayson, I really appreciate your dedication," he said. "What I've seen over the last two years and what I know we're going to see in the future, I'm absolutely confident that this brigade is going to be able to answer the call and be able to continue to do the mission to the same level of standards that they have."
As Altieri takes his leave, he also expressed full confidence in the incoming leadership as he bid a final farewell to the Soldiers he commanded over the last 24 months.
"It's been an honor to lead the Warrior brigade Soldiers and department of the Army civilians," he said. "This brigade is the cornerstone by which USAACE and Fort Rucker trains the best combat Aviators in the world, and, Kelly, as you and your family take the controls, know that you are commanding a great organization. You will feel the pride that we have every day knowing that these Soldiers and civilians are leaving a mark of excellence on the Army that will be felt for years to come."
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