Lt. Col. Frank Pera, outgoing commander for 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, transferred command to Lt. Col. Elizabeth (Noelle) Walgren during a change of command ceremony at Fort Belvoir, Va., June 29.
“We've laid the foundation for improved integration in planning, exercises, and missions in INDOPACOM, EUCOM (and) CENTCOM to enable the Army to compete effectively in each,” said Pera, during his final comments during the ceremony.
“ … What I've learned in Prime Power is that there is one way to overcome gaps in resources, manning, and support. That one way is talent. Talented individuals who can execute violently with intent; who can excel in both complex and complicated environments; who commit themselves to finding solutions, and not more problems.”
A change of command is a formal transfer of authority for a unit from one commanding officer to another. It ensures Soldiers are never left without official guidance and it signifies the allegiance of Soldiers to their commander.
“So much of the Army is built on tradition,” said BG Richard J. Heitkamp, Deputy Commanding General of USACE, as he presided over the ceremony. “ … we do these things because they are important, not because they’re easy to fit into our schedule. You see out in front of us Charlie Co and elements of HHC. Why? Because the rest of the battalion is dispersed all over the map. We’d have to rent a C17 and fly it all over the country to get this battalion together. That’s the kind of difficulty they deal with every day.”
The 249th has companies stationed at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Ft Bragg, N.C.; Ft Belvoir, Va., and Cranston, R.I. The organization is charged with the rapid provision of Army generators to support worldwide requirements.
The incoming Commander, LTC Elizabeth Walgren is from Sarasota, Fla., and was commissioned in the United States Army Corps of Engineers on 31 May 2003 from the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y.
Her previous assignments include Battalion Maintenance Officer and Platoon Leader in the 46th Engineer Battalion at Fort Polk, La., where she deployed with the 814th Multi Role Bridge Company (MRBC) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Upon returning to Fort Polk, she was assigned as the Company Executive Officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. She served as a Company Commander in the 74th MRBC, 62nd Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas, from 2008 - 2010 and deployed with the company to Balad, Iraq, from 2008 to 2009. LTC Walgren was assigned to the Qatar Area Office, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, from 2011 to 2012 and then served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at George Mason University, Fairfax, Va., from 2012 to 2014. She deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan, as part of Combined Security Transition Command – Afghanistan (CSTC-A) Combined Joint - Engineers (CJ-ENG) and CSTC-A Plans from 2014 to 2015. She then served as the 84th Engineer Battalion and 130th Engineer Brigade Executive Officer from March 2016 to June 2018 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. Her following assignment was as the Command Engineer for Army Futures Command in Austin, Texas. LTC Walgren’s most recent assignment was as the Plans Branch Chief in the Office of the Chief of Engineers, Pentagon.
LTC Walgren earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y., and a Master of Science Degree from University of Missouri, Rolla. She attended the Army Command and General Staff Officer Course at Fort Belvoir, Va., and the Engineer Officer Basic and Captains Career courses at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.
LTC Walgren’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (1OLC), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (2OLC), Army Commendation Medal (3OLC), Army Achievement Medal (2OLC), and the Combat Action Badge. LTC Walgren is also a recipient of the Bronze Order of the De Fleury for her contributions to the Engineer Regiment.
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