The command of one of Aberdeen Proving Ground's oldest - and newest - chemical organizations changed hands July 16.
At a mid-morning ceremony -- punctuated by the pomp and music of the 34th U.S. Army Band (National Guard) of Fairfield, Iowa -- Lt. Col. Chadwick Bauld assumed command of the 22d Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort). The organization's colors were passed from the outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Mingus, to Bauld by Col. Eric Brigham, commander of the 48th Chemical Brigade.
Brigham cited the unit's achievements under Mingus' watch, saying, "Growing an organization is difficult, and you did it in a flawless manner."
He noted the unit's chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high yield explosives-focused training across North America, including at the Defense Research and Development Center in Canada, the Center for National Response in West Virginia, and additional training events at several Army installations, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City and at the U.S. Military Academy.
"Under Mingus' leadership," Brigham said, "the battalion has always had teams on call in support of U.S. Special Operations Command, plus other elements on prepared to deploy orders to the Central Command area of responsibility. They have also supported many emergency response missions across the United States.
"This unit has had a Soldier in the fight - every day - in Afghanistan or Iraq, since 9/11," he added.
"A sign of a great unit," Brigham continued, "is their reenlistment numbers. This battalion has met or exceeded its reenlistment missions and won the brigade small battalion reenlistment award for the last two years. Soldiers want to stay in the Army when they feel they are making a contribution, and they can trust their leaders. Good job!"
Mingus, a self-proclaimed "Army brat," delivered emotionally-charged comments as he said goodbye to his command.
"It was the best two years of my career," he said. "I had great subordinates who took care of me. They did it all. I did absolutely nothing. I never was equal to the honor of being their commander."
Mingus, of Enterprise, Ala., will return to his home state as an instructor at the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base.
Married to the former Anne Lynn Collier of Enterprise, the Mingus's have two children - Matthew Collier and Matthew Charles.
Bauld comes to the 22d Chemical Battalion (TE) having previously served as battalion executive officer from 2004 through 2005, followed by a stint as operations officer from 2005 to 2007. He then deployed to Combined Joint Task Force Troy in Baghdad, Iraq, initially as plans officer then as chief of staff. Upon his return, Bauld was chief of Operations, 20th Support Command (CBRNE) from September 2008 until his assumption of command.
"To the Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers of the 22d Chemical Battalion," Bauld said to his new command, "I have but one topic to reiterate to you today and throughout my tenure - this is OUR battalion, OUR Family. We are professionals and technical experts. Everything we do - individually and collectively - is a reflection on this great organization. We will succeed together."
A West Point graduate and devoted Pittsburgh Steelers fan, Bauld is married to the former Sabrina Jones of Verona, Italy. They have five children: Alex, Madison, Jackson, Dashel and Sophia.
The 22d Chemical Battalion's lineage indicates it was one of the first chemical elements stationed at the former Edgewood Arsenal. Initially organized Nov. 26, 1917, as Company C, 30th Engineers in the National Army at Washington, D.C., the unit was redesignated July 13, 1918, as Company C, 1st Gas Regiment, and on Feb. 3, 1920, became Company C, 1st Gas Regiment and restationed at Edgewood Arsenal.
After inactivation after Vietnam in July 1966, the unit was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division in September 1979 and activated in Germany. It was inactivated in August 1992 in Germany. The organization served as a technical escort unit (TEU) until February 2004, when it was redesignated as the 22d Chemical Battalion (TE) and activated Oct. 16, 2004, at APG.
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