FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – The 2nd Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment Regulators bid farewell to Lt. Col. Jake Roper and welcomed Lt. Col. Kent Monas in a change of command ceremony June 13 at Nicka Hall, Libby Army Airfield.
Col. Richard Tucker, commander, 1st Aviation Brigade, Fort Novosel, Alabama, (formerly Fort Rucker) presided over the ceremony and thanked Roper for accomplishing his mission and setting a higher standard by far exceeding the expectations in place.
“The achievements and performance of this battalion over the past two years are a reflection of it’s leadership,” Tucker said. “We ask a lot of our Soldiers and civilians, but we ask more of our leaders, and you delivered. Jake, on behalf of everyone from the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, my family and the Soldiers and families of those you touched, I want to thank you for delivering personal and empathetic leadership, grounded in the highest standard.”
Roper began his comments by recognizing the Soldiers in the battalion and reflecting on how fast, rewarding and challenging the last two years of his life have been.
“When I took command of this battalion two years ago, there were exactly 17 people standing in formation,” he said. “It’s great to see the entire Regulator battalion standing before us today looking sharp as ever.
“Not only has this been the fastest two years of my life, it’s been two of the most challenging, humble, and rewarding years of my life. Commanding the Army’s only unmanned aircraft systems battalion has been the biggest honor and privilege of my career.”
One of the things Roper was most proud of during his two years of command was the number zero. That number represents no deaths in the battalion during his command.
“Over the course of my two years, not one single Soldier, NCO, Officer, Department of the Army Civilian, contractor, or any other family member, lost their life because of suicide, training accident, on duty or off duty,” Roper said. “That’s the one number I’m proud of.
“Now, don’t think for a second, I’m taking credit for that number, because sometimes I recognize that a lot of it has to do with luck, but I can tell you right now, that those Soldiers standing out there are the ones who had the diving saves, the one’s practicing what to do and how to take care of their people.”
Before handing over the reins of the battalion to Monas, Roper had the battalion sound off. He rose his left hand, and the left side of the formation yelled, “Swift!” He then raised his right hand, and the right side of the formation yelled, “Deadly!” When he rose both hands, the entire battalion yelled, “Regulators!”
Monas began his comments by thanking the command team on hand for the ceremony and said how excited he is to work with the various leaders from the 1st Aviation Brigade, the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade and the Fort Huachuca Garrison.
He also thanked Roper, his family and friends and the Soldiers, NCOs, officers, Department of the Army Civilians and contracting partners.
“Thank you for your support throughout the change of command handover,” Monas said. “This battalion represents the future of warfare, and your work is critical to the Army and defense of our country. It is an honor and privilege to serve with each and everyone of you. Above the best, Golden Hawks, Swift and Deadly; Regulator Six signing on.”
Monas, a Waynesburg, Pennsylvania, native, was commissioned at the Virginia Military Institute in 2004 and began his career as a Scout Pilot where he was assigned to D Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg). He has deployed multiple times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Inherent Resolve, Operations Resolute Support and Spartan Shield and as part of the Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa supporting counter terrorism missions from remote airfields throughout the Horn of Africa.
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Army Signal Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.
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