Story by Sgt. 1st Class Gina Vaile-Nelson, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
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Lt. Col. Michael Stephens, 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade commander, passes the 751st Troop Command colors to Lt. Col. Gary W.D. Lewis during a change of command ceremony Sept. 27, at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort, Ky. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. David Bolton/ 133 Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
FRANKFORT, Ky. - The 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade welcomed the 751st Troop command to its ranks Sept. 28 and honored Lt. Col. Todd Ewing as he relinquished command to Lt. Col. Gary W.D. Lewis during a ceremony held at Boone National Guard Center in Frankfort.
“I am honored to have led such an outstanding group of Soldiers over this last year,” Ewing said during the ceremony.
Ewing highlighted the accomplishments of the units under his command before he presented Command Sgt. Maj. Patricia Copas with the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal for her dedication to the Soldiers of the 751st. Ewing also received the Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal during the ceremony.
The battalion has a rich 21-year history in providing administrative, training and logistical support to specialized units that are essential to the U.S. Army and Kentucky National Guard’s role in homeland security, emergency preparedness and contingency operations. The battalion recently reorganized under the 63rd TAB and supports six subordinate units:
- Charlie Company, 1/376th Aviation (Security and Support)
- Detachment 11, Operational Support Airlift
- Detachment 1, Company C, 2/238th MEDEVAC
- Bravo Company, 2/147th Aviation (currently deployed to Kuwait)
- 202nd Army Band
- 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
According to Lewis, the 751st Troop Command stands ready to provide aviation and operational support to the Kentucky National Guard’s initiatives at home or abroad. He said the key to doing so is a good family support system.
“In this aviation community, we are about family,” he told his Soldiers during the ceremony. “We welcome the Band and MPAD into our aviation family.
“We also know that it takes a strong family support system at home to be successful,” he said. “I am here for the Soldiers and their families for whatever you need.”