Story by Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs Office
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The official party, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini (center), the Adjutant General of the Kentucky National Guard, Col. Scott A. Campbell (right), outgoing commander of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Kentucky Army National Guard, and incoming commander, Col. Michael A. Abell (left), review the troops during for the 149th MEB Change of Command ceremony on June 23, 2012. (KYNG photo by Maj. David Page)
FORT KNOX, Ky. – A change of command ceremony was held June 23, 2012 at Fort Knox, Ky., to hand off the guidon of one of the most recognized units in the Kentucky National Guard.
Col. Scott Campbell relinquished command of the 149
th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade to Col. Mike Abell on Brooks Field in front of the large 149
th family.
Campbell led the 149th since 2008, preparing them for the largest deployment of the Kentucky National Guard since World War II, to Iraq in 2011.
Kentucky’s Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini presided over the event, complimented both leaders for their service and character as excellent Citizen-Soldiers.
“We are recognizing the accomplishments of a man who has been at the core of activity, at the very heart of the organization that we all serve and love,” said Tonini of Campbell. “He was already an exceptional officer to the Kentucky National Guard, and his accomplishments as brigade commander mirror the rest of his extraordinary career.”
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Col. Scott A. Campbell, former commander of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Kentucky National Guard, receives the brigade colors from the Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas L. Johnson during the change of command ceremony on June 23, 2012. (KYNG photo by Maj. David Page)[caption id="" align="alignright" width="257"]
Col Michael A. Abell receives the brigade color from the Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini on June 23, 2012, signifying Col. Abell's assumption of command of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Kentucky National Guard. (KYNG photo by Maj. David Page)
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“Colonel Abell has a very strong reputation as a Kentucky National Guard officer, he is truly deserving of this opportunity,” said Tonini. “He is now in a place where he can make a huge difference, not just to the Soldiers under his command, but for the citizens of the Commonwealth in their time of need.”
Abell has served as an officer since 1993. He commanded the 1
st Battalion, 149
th Infantry prior to taking the role of Deputy G-1 (Personnel). Abell recently graduated form the U.S. Army War College.
Campbell was commissioned in 1984, serving a variety of command and staff positions before becoming the Executive Officer of the then 149
th Armor Brigade, then into command of the 149
th MEB. He will now fill the role as head of the State G-3 (Plans and Operations).