News Archive

Changing of the Guard

Changing of the Guard

The first drill of a new year for the New Hampshire Army National Guard was underscored by six change of command ceremonies from brigade to company level, Jan. 7 and 8.

*Col. Thomas Spencer took command of the 197th Fires Brigade from Col. Peter Corey, who led the largest single deployment of N.H. citizen-soldiers since World War II in support of Operation New Dawn in 2011.

*Lt. Col. Robert Stuart took command of the 3643rd Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) from Lt. Col. James Challender.

*Lt. Col David Mikolaities took command of 54th Troop Command from Lt. Col. Greg Blackwell.

*Capt. Tyler Chamberlain took command of Alpha Company, 3643rd BSB from Capt. Adam Burritt.

*Capt. David Devoy III took command of the 744th Forward Support Company, 3643rd BSB from Maj. Steven Hall.

*1st Lt. Thomas Pufki took command Bravo Company, 3643rd BSB from Chamberlain.

From left, Col. Thomas Spencer, Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Considine (holding the colors), Brig. Gen. Craig Bennett, and Col. Peter Corey participate in a transfer of authority ceremony during the 197th Fires Brigade's change of command at the Manchester armory, Jan. 7. Spencer took command of the brigade from Corey. Photo by Maj. Greg Heilshorn, State PAO

 Lt. Col. Gregory Blackwell, outgoing commander of 54th Troop Command, receives the colors from Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Noyes in a transfer of authority ceremony during the battalion's change of command in Concord, Jan. 8. Blackwell relinquished command to Lt. Col. David Mikolaities (at right). Photo by 1st Sgt. Mike Daigle, Deputy State PAO