JOINT BASE LEWIS MCCHORD, Wash. — Col. Jonathan Chung assumed command of the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade, today on Watkins Field at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington as the brigade continues to build momentum within the Indo-Pacific region.
Chung comes to the brigade after serving as the Brigade Commander at 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division.
“I’m incredibly humbled to stand with you among your ranks and continue on the legacy of 75 years of advising in the Pacific,” Chung said. “I truly look forward to working with Command Sgt. Maj Craven and all the talented NCOs who are truly promoting our culture of “Always Forward” through their actions, expertise, mission focus, and true care for our Soldiers and their Families.”
Chung received the unit’s colors from Security Force Assistance Command’s Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Scott Jackson, who travelled from SFAC headquarters at Fort Bragg, North Carolina to attend the ceremony.
“The plank holders led by (former brigade commander), Brig. Gen. Curtis Taylor, have done their job,” Jackson said. “They have built and tested this ship, they have taken it out for a limited cruise, but now it’s time for the next set of leaders to take it out to sea and achieve its intended purpose.”
As Chung takes the helm of 5th SFAB, two of the six battalions had colors that were cased as 2nd Battalion, 5th SFAB leads Force Package 21-2 forward in the Indo-Pacific and 4th Battalion supports the Orient Shield exercise in Japan.
“Col. Chung is a proven warfighter who has earned his seat at the table with his partners,” Jackson said. “He will bring a depth of combined arms experience that will drive unit training focused on combat and provide our partners with advice grounded in personal experience.”
Chung’s career included tours with the 2nd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; 1st Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment and Joint Special Operations Command, including operational deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Kuwait.
“I’m a product of tremendous investment from NCOs, many of them are here today to include my past Ranger Company 1st Sgt. who now leads this exceptional SFAC team,” Chung said. “Gentlemen, I have not forgotten the lessons you have all show me, and I promise I will pay it forward.”
The 5th SFAB officially activated in May of 2020, and has recently completed its first rotation to the Indo-Pacific including training events in Thailand, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and the Maldives.
The unit intends to maintain a Force Package forward in the Indo-Pacific for the foreseeable future as 1/3 of the brigade rotates into theater at six-month intervals.
(Video by Sgt. Joseph E. D. Knoch, 5th SFAB Public Affairs)
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