FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- As Soldiers stood in formation on Howze Field, the 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment, welcomed a new commander.
Lt. Col. Edward D. Rouse assumed command from Lt. Col. John C. Tucker during a ceremony July 14 as the unit colors changed hands from one commander to the next.
Col. Kelly E. Hines, 110th Aviation Brigade commander, presided over the ceremony, and bid farewell to the outgoing commander and his family while welcoming the new command team.
"What a great day to be a Soldier. Today marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next as we say farewell to the Tuckers and welcome the Rouses," said the colonel during the ceremony. For those of you that don't know, the formation before you is but a small representation of 1-11th's manpower. This battalion never stops conducting its no-fail mission … and their efforts are crucial to the (U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence) mission of creating the finest Aviation Soldiers in the world.
"The flying executed everyday here at Mother Rucker wouldn't be possible without the Soldiers standing before you," he continued. "The dispersed nature of this battalion is simply mind boggling and it takes a special breed of leader to carry off its 100-percent mission success rate."
Hines put his full confidence in Rouse's ability to lead the "Squared Away" battalion to continue the legacy that Tucker has built during his time in command.
"I can already tell that the Rouses will build upon the incredible track record of the 1-11th, and you are more than ready to get started," he said. "The Soldiers of the Squared Away battalion are in good hands and I look forward to serving alongside you."
Rouse began his military career serving in the Georgia National Guard, attending basic training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, before commissioning in 1995 through the North Georgia Collage Reserve Officers Training Corps.
Throughout his career, he's served in multiple leadership positions across different continents, including as a flight platoon leader and battalion assistant S-1 for the 2-25th Aviation Regiment at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii; battalion S-3 and company commander for the 78th Aviation Detachment at Camp Zama, Japan; battalion S-3, executive officer and battalion commander for the 4th Battalion (Airfield Operations), 58th Aviation Regiment in Camp Humphreys, South Korea; as well as the contingency command post chief for the U.S. Army Africa in Vicenza, Italy.
With his wealth of experience, Rouse said he is humbled and thankful for the opportunity to serve the 1-11th.
"To the Soldiers here, you look great, and to the entire Squared Away family, I look forward to serving with you," he said.
Tucker also put in his vote of confidence for the new command team and said that Rouse is up to the challenge to continue to commanding the battalion to its full potential.
"The collective mission of the 1-11th is to provide air traffic service to the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence flight-training mission and for the National Airspace System," said the outgoing commander. "It has taken that one team with each and every individual contributing in order to ensure that we provide safe and efficient air traffic control services and support. You are inheriting a battalion that is ready and already well on its way to achieving unmatched excellence."
Social Sharing