Fort Huachuca, Arizona--A flyover by an MC-12 Beechcraft 350 aircraft out of Libby Army Airfield marked the change of command ceremony for the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade June 24 on Chaffee Parade Field.
During the event, outgoing Commander Col. Kevin Wilkinson passed brigade leadership to incoming Commander Col. Brian Lieb.
The entire brigade stood on the field along with B Troop, 4th Cavalry Regiment (Memorial) during the event while Soldiers, Families and friends of the brigade packed the bleachers. The MI Corps Band provided music throughout the event.
Before the change of command ceremony, Wilkinson inspected the 111th MI Bde. Soldiers for the last time.
After the passing of the colors, Maj. Gen. Scott D. Berrier, commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, praised the brigade Soldiers standing out on the field and thanked them for making the brigade "the premiere training brigade in the U.S. Army." He also described how the cadre took their training mission seriously by turning out thousands of MI Soldiers and leaders and preparing them for their assignments to meet the demands and adapt to the needs of the ever-changing Army.
He then reflected on the time Wilkinson spent as the 111th MI Bde. commander.
"[Under his] leadership and effective classroom and field training, Colonel Kevin Wilkinson … vigorously prepared MI Soldiers to critically think, analyze and fill intelligence gaps while simultaneously grooming them to be physically, mentally and spiritually ready to engage enemies of the United States -- and win.
"The number of initiatives and progress made by the 111th MI Brigade under Kevin's leadership … in the past two years have been simply staggering," Berrier said.
Under Wilkinson's command, the brigade trained and graduated more than 16,000 Soldiers and the brigade constantly developed new initiatives, training programs and courses that increased the Army readiness and provided commanders across the Army with well-trained Soldiers with the aptitude and techniques to accomplish all missions, Berrier elaborated.
Upon his arrival, Wilkinson identified training gaps and developed courses designed to fill them, thus enhancing MI doctrine and tactics. He also designed measures to help Soldiers identify where MI fit in the Big Army picture. He developed new processes for key MI aviation programs. Under his tenure, the MI brigade developed, designed and executed MI aviator qualifications and aerial sensor operator courses.
"Kevin is an expert trainer, a committed MI leader … who puts his Soldiers first," Berrier said "Well done Kevin, and thank you."
The commanding general then welcomed Lieb.
"Fortunately, the brigade will be placed in the hands of another highly capable tactically and technically proficient officer, Colonel Brian Lieb," Berrier said. "A highly experienced intelligence leader with multiple commands, Brian comes to us from his previous assignment as the Army G2 liaison to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also served as the Army MI enlisted branch chief, so he is well versed in the career path and development of our MI Soldiers. He is ready and equipped to continue the 111th's great tradition of excellence in MI training and leader development."
Wilkinson then made his farewell remarks.
"Lieutenant General [Robert P.] Ashley and Major General Berrier, it has truly been an honor and a privilege to have commanded in your organization," Wilkinson said. "I absolutely had a blast. Thank you for your mentorship, support, guidance and providing me the freedom to command. You both remained by my side and provided sound advice both personally and professionally. You are absolutely the most [outstanding] leaders I've ever had the privilege to work for, and I cannot thank you gentlemen enough."
Wilkinson then gave kudos to the Soldiers of the brigade -- the instructors, officers, warrant officers, noncommissioned officers and civilians for their accomplishment of the brigade's training mission during his command. He also thanked the battalion commanders and command sergeants major for their professionalism and for always looking for solutions to issues that arose, and he expressed his appreciation for others who worked with him.
Wilkinson's new assignment is at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, as the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command chief of training.
Lieb was the final speaker.
"I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead," the incoming commander said. "Challenge each other and make it better every day, whether it be on the [physical training] field or in the classroom or out in the field. Thank you very much. Mission first!"
After the speeches, the troops passed in review. Then, the audience stood as the band played the Military Intelligence Corps March and the Army Song. Finally, to end the ceremony, B Troop made their traditional cavalry charge on horseback across Chaffee Parade Field in the time-honored tradition of the fort's earliest Soldiers.
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