FORT HOOD, Texas - Headquarters and Headquarters Company and A Company, 15th Special Troops Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), both changed commanders at a ceremony at the brigade headquarters here Oct. 20.
Capt. Samantha Austin, a Stockton, Ala., native assumed command of HHC from Capt. Estan Davis, a Waterford, Vt., native while Capt. Craig Battle, a Newark, N.J., native assumed command of A Co. from Capt. Adrian Robinson, a Portsmouth, Va., native.
"In a formal ceremony conducted before the assembled Soldiers, the change of command signifies the transfer of total responsibility, authority and accountability from one commander to another," said Staff Sgt. Elizabeth Gaytan, HHC's 2nd Platoon sergeant and a Los Angeles native.
The outgoing commanders led their companies through deployments to northern Iraq and both praised and thanked their Soldiers for their hard work.
"You are the reason for the company's success - without your effort, dedication and support the accomplishments the unit has achieved would not have occurred," Davis told the Soldiers.
Robinson also thanked his Soldiers.
"Though few, you have definitely done the work of many. I want to thank you all for all of your hard work and dedication to not only the task at hand but to each other as well," Robinson said.
Lt. Col. Paula Lodi, the 15th STB commander and a Franklin, Mass., native praised the work the Soldiers and their commanders performed in garrison on Fort Hood and throughout northern Iraq. She also spoke of the companies' impending transition to Fort Bliss, Texas, adjacent to El Paso, Texas, scheduled for completion Dec. 1.
"Our incoming commanders Captain Austin and Captain Battle bring new energy and perspective to the unit which will serve the Soldiers well as they stand up operations at Fort Bliss," Lodi said.
"Captain Austin is no stranger to the brigade having served in the (support operations) shop during the deployment where her understanding of the distinctly complimentary relationship between the brigade, battalion and company will serve her well.
"Capt. Battle is a recent graduate of the Signal Captain's Career Course at Fort Gordon and brings insight on leadership and technical competence to the unit," Lodi explained.
The 15th Sust. Bde. and the 15th STB are scheduled to change command at a ceremony here Nov. 30.
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