HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, Ga. - The 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade welcomed a new commander during a ceremony held at Hunter Army Airfield October 15.
The Workhorse battalion warmly welcomed Lt. Col. Daryl S. von Hagel as the new commanding officer and bid farewell to Lt. Col. Scott Leblond.
Col. John D. Kline, commander, 3rd CAB, spoke about the mission of the 603rd ASB and how the success of the CAB depends on the success of the Workhorse Soldiers.
"Without the ASB, I could throw everything I've got at the enemy, Apache's, Chinooks, Blackhawks, Hellfire missiles you name it and it would be spectacular for about three days," Kline said. "After three days we would all be camping in a field looking at our broken aircraft without fuel or ammunition."
Leblond will briefly serve at the 3rd CAB as the deputy commander before retiring.
"Today I say goodbye to the Workhorse formation as its commander. Workhorse is a team built on trust to answer our nations call when necessary," Leblond said. "Thank you very much for your commitment, your hard work, and for taking my ideas and making them a reality."
The new commander thanked the crowd for attending and gave a few brief comments.
"It is without question a distinct honor and privilege for me to be afforded the opportunity to take command of the fine aviation, logistics, and signal troopers of the 603rd ASB standing before us," von Hagel said. "Having never served in the 3rd Infantry Division previously, I'm grateful to be a part of the rich tradition, history and lineage of this great Division."
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