VICENZA, Italy -- Colonel Richard D. Conkle took the reins of 207th Military Intelligence "Pegasus" Brigade (Theater) at Hoekstra Field on Caserma Ederle June 26 in an assumption of command ceremony.
Conkle, a native of Montgomery, Ala., comes to the unit directly from a year of study at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. He succeeds Col. Timothy Higgins, who served as the first commander of the 207th, which was established in March 2016.
The commanding general of Intelligence and Security Command, Maj. Gen. Christopher S. Ballard, was guest of honor at the ceremony and welcomed the new brigade commander.
"This is certainly a special day for friends and family, and all of us here, to witness as our nation puts its faith and trust in this officer," Ballard said. "I am so proud of what this unit has accomplished in its first year, and I look forward to what they'll accomplish with (Conkle) at the helm."
The incoming commander said he is happy to be here.
"I am excited to finally join the INSCOM team. This is truly an honor," Conkle said. "I am fortunate to have been able to work with (U.S. Army Africa) several times over the past few years, and it's an incredible team with an incredible mission. I can promise that the Pegasus Soldiers will continue to work hard for you and will work hard to enable USARAF and AFRICOM mission success."
He included many thank-you's to attendees, his special guests, and the Soldiers but saved the biggest thank-you for last: thanking his wife and children.
"I would like to publicly thank my family … for all the sacrifices they've made for the Army. I am so incredibly fortunate to have a strong, committed family--both to the Army and to each other."
The 207th MI Bde. Serves as the Theater Intelligence Brigade for U.S. Africa Command and is under operational control of U.S. Army Africa. The brigade includes 207th MI and 307th MI Battalion, located here; 522nd MI Bn., located in Wiesbaden, Germany; and 337th MI Bn., located at Fort Sheridan, Ill.
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