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USASOAC welcomes sixth command sergeant major

By Master Sgt. Shannon BlackwellSeptember 25, 2020

Command Sgt. Maj. Rob Armstrong, incoming command sergeant major, U.S. Special Operations Aviation Command, receives the USASOAC colors from Col. Phil Ryan, commander, USASOAC, during a change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept 25. (Photo by Master Sgt. Shannon Blackwell, USASOAC public affairs)
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Rob Armstrong, incoming command sergeant major, U.S. Special Operations Aviation Command, receives the USASOAC colors from Col. Phil Ryan, commander, USASOAC, during a change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept 25. (Photo by Master Sgt. Shannon Blackwell, USASOAC public affairs) (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. shannon blackwell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Phil Ryan, commander USASOAC, addresses a small gathering of family and Army leadership during the USASOAC change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept. 25. Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Wilson relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Rob Armstrong. (Photo by Master Sgt. Shannon Blackwell, USASOAC public affairs)
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Phil Ryan, commander USASOAC, addresses a small gathering of family and Army leadership during the USASOAC change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept. 25. Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Wilson relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Rob Armstrong. (Photo by Master Sgt. Shannon Blackwell, USASOAC public affairs) (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. shannon blackwell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Phil Ryan, commander, USASOAC, congratulates Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Wilson, outgoing USASOAC command sergeant major, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept. 25, for a successful tour serving as the top enlisted Soldier of the command. Wilson’s next assignment is as the command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama. (Photo by Master Sgt. Shannon Blackwell, USASOAC public affairs)
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Phil Ryan, commander, USASOAC, congratulates Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Wilson, outgoing USASOAC command sergeant major, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Sept. 25, for a successful tour serving as the top enlisted Soldier of the command. Wilson’s next assignment is as the command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama. (Photo by Master Sgt. Shannon Blackwell, USASOAC public affairs) (Photo Credit: Master Sgt. shannon blackwell) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Phil Ryan, commander, USASOAC, presents Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Wilson, outgoing USASOAC command sergeant major, with a Legion of Merit for Wilson’s hard work, dedication and commitment while serving as the senior enlisted Soldier. Wilson will move on to serve as the command sergeant major for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama. (Photo by Capt. Veronica Aguila, USASOAC public affairs)
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Phil Ryan, commander, USASOAC, presents Command Sgt. Maj. James D. Wilson, outgoing USASOAC command sergeant major, with a Legion of Merit for Wilson’s hard work, dedication and commitment while serving as the senior enlisted Soldier. Wilson will move on to serve as the command sergeant major for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama. (Photo by Capt. Veronica Aguila, USASOAC public affairs) (Photo Credit: Capt. Veronica Aguila) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, North Carolina – The U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC) welcomed a new command sergeant major during a change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Bragg, today.

Col. Philip (Phil) Ryan, USASOAC commander, presided over the ceremony as Command Sgt. Maj. James (Jimmy) D. Wilson relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Rob Armstrong. Armstrong takes over as the most senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) and sixth command sergeant major of USASOAC, commonly referred to as ARSOAC.

“The change of responsibility is a key milestone in the history of the ARSOAC and the lives of the thousands of Special Operations Aviation Soldiers around the world,” said Ryan.

Armstrong most recently served as the as command sergeant major for the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and previously held positions within USASOAC’s 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) as a battalion command sergeant major and company first sergeant.

“Between these two great NCOs, they have a combined 35 years of Night Stalking – an extraordinary number especially when you consider that the 160th is just shy of 39 years old,” continued Ryan.

Night Stalkers is the 160th SOAR’s distinctive designation.

“Col. Ryan, sir, thanks for having the trust and confidence in my abilities and allowing me the opportunity to serve as the ARSOAC command sergeant major,” said Armstrong. “It is truly a blessing.

“Jimmy, thanks for a first class handover and more importantly thanks for your mentorship over the last 14 years. Your impact on this enterprise will be lasting.”

Wilson’s next assignment is as the command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence at Fort Rucker, Alabama.

“The ARSOAC is blessed with tremendous talent and I don’t have time to thank everyone during this speech,” said Wilson. “But, know I’m grateful to you all for what you do for ARSOA and our nation.

“Leaving is always tough but certainly made easier knowing that Rob and Liz Armstrong are here to move the team forward,” he continued. “Rob, you are the right command sergeant major for this job and I look forward to working with you as we push Army Aviation into the future.”

For more information USASOAC public affairs at (910) 907-0960 or arsoacpao@socom.mil.

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