PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI - After spending more than three weeks in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in response to the Jan. 12 earthquake, Col. Chris Gibson relinquished command of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division to Col. Tim McAteer during a change of command ceremony on Tuesday at Falcon Brigade Headquarters on the grounds of Aristide University.
"It has been an honor to go out this way, leading the Falcons in the opening month of this very important mission, bringing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the Haitian people in their moment of acute and dire need," Gibson said.
Boasting a 24-year career in the Army, Gibson served with the division twice before assuming command of 2nd BCT, as a rifle company commander in the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and battalion commander of 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment. He has commanded the 2nd BCT "Falcons" for the past 20 months.
Gibson will be retiring to Kinderhook, N.Y. and said he will always be oriented toward public service.
To his Falcon paratroopers, Gibson said, "I wish you all the best for the remainder of this deployment and beyond. You are in great hands with Colonel Tim McAteer."
McAteer, a native of San Antonio, Texas, has served at every level of command in the division and has worked as the operations officer for the division in Afghanistan for the past eight months.
McAteer said he is both humbled and honored to assume command of 2nd BCT.
"It is a great mission and a great honor," he said
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