Story and photos by Spc. David Dixon, 1st Battalion, 623d Field Artillery Unit Public Affairs Historian Representative
NOTE: Each week kentuckyguard.com publishes stories by Kentucky National Guard unit public affairs historian representatives, also known as UPAHRs. This is an additional duty taken on by a Soldier or Airmen with the intent of telling their unit’s story. This is one such story ….
[caption id="attachment_10863" align="aligncenter" width="553" caption="Lt. Col. Timothy A. Fanter receives the 1st Battalion, 623d Field Artillery colors from 138th Fires Brigade Commander Col. Rondal Turner in a ceremony that transfers responsibilities and honors to the incoming commander in Glasgow, Ky., Oct. 16."]
GLASGOW, Ky. -- (October 16, 2011) Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery and the 203rd Forward Support Company assembled at the Glasgow Armory to honor the outgoing battalion commander Lt. Col. Jeffery S. Hughes and welcome a new commander, Lt. Col. Timothy A. Fanter.
“This battalion consists of over 400 hundred of the most dedicated, hard working and loyal Soldiers that a commander could ask for," said Hughes. “This is a bittersweet moment, this battalion is my home and it is the best battalion in the United States Army."
Fanter expressed excitement about his new responsibility and outlined three goals as the incoming commander.
[caption id="attachment_10867" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Lt. Col. Timothy A. Fanter addresses his newly assigned battalion and family, friends and distinguished guests at the 1st Battalion 623rd Field Artillery Change of Command in Glasgow, Ky., Oct. 16."]
“We will continue to take care of our Soldiers and their Families, continue to develop our troops to be strong leaders and to train for whatever mission we may be given," said Fanter. "Whether it is serving and assisting our citizens in this great Commonwealth or defending freedom on a larger scale."
The 623rd was originally organized on May 22, 1846 as the first Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry Regiment. It has fought in the Mexican War, Civil War, Spanish–American War, World War l, World War II, Korean War, Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
It now has 46 battle streamers to include the Presidential Unit Citation and the Navy Unit Citation during the Korean War. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, two of the battalion's batteries (units) received the Meritorious Unit Commendation as well.