This post comes from Bro. Occasio L. Gee, Eastern Regional Webmaster. His line brother Cpt. Ashley Peppers (Spring 1998, Omicron Iota Chapter, Old Dominion University) recently assumed command over Headquarters Command, 1-63, Second Brigade, 1st ID in Iraq.
Headquarters Company, 1-63 CAB Changes Command
Story by: FSO Johnothan Boyle
1-63 CAB MAHMUDIYAH, IRAQ – Captain Ashley Peppers of Petersburg, VA, officially assumed command of Headquarters Company, 1-63 CAB, Second Brigade, 1st ID, on February 18th in a ceremony held on Forward Operating Base Mahmudiyah.
Captain Peppers assumed command from Captain Mike Blankenship of Knoxville, TN. While serving in command, Blankenship saw a very active time in his unit’s history. When he assumed command in March of 2007, there were approximately 50 people in the battalion, all of whom fell under the responsibility of the headquarters commander. The unit, then HHC, 2-70 Armor, was in the process of transitioning from executing the Fort Riley Military Transition Team Training Program to standing up a heavy brigade combat team. Blankenship was charged with establishing the initial stages of training necessary for Soldiers to safely and successfully deploy. Over the two years of his command, Blankenship and HHC in-processed nearly 800 Soldiers into the battalion, executed several tank and Bradley gunneries, a combat life saver training program, a National Training Center Rotation, movement to Kuwait, and four months of base defense operations in Mahmudiyah, Iraq.
During his remarks, Blankenship thanked his Soldiers, his First Sergeant, and fellow commanders for their support, hard work and dedication. “To all you Soldiers, you are an inspiration. You are all part of the 1% club that has stood up and taken an oath to protect our great country. Thank you for all of your hard work,” Blankenship stated. In addition, CPT Blankenship thanked his wife, Kristen, and his children, Hayden, Carter, and Kate for their patience, love and support.
In addition to the ch ange of command, the company conducted a change of responsibility between the outgoing First Sergeant, 1SG Christopher Spivey, and the incoming First Sergeant, 1SG Wade Lane.
LTC Jim Bradford, the commander of 1-63 CAB, presided as the official party for the ceremony. Bradford stated, “To say the least, the last two years have been extremely busy for this company and these two leaders have done an incredible job. I thank you both for your leadership and commitment to your Soldiers, this battalion, and our Army.” In welcoming the incoming command team, LTC Bradford stated, “CPT Peppers and 1SG Lane – you assume and incredible role in our Army. There is nothing more gratifying or more important than being a company commander or first sergeant. Your decisions and actions affect the lives of Soldiers and Families every day.”
CPT Peppers and 1SG Lane will assume responsibility of FOB Mahmudiyah base defense and quality of life operations.
CPT Peppers is married to Mrs. Lori Peppers, the two are expecting their first child in May. Last Updated: 4/25/2009 3:14:13 AM
Occasio L. Gee
South Hampton Roads Area Deputy Director
Eastern Region Webmaster
Director Bigger & Better Business, Beta Sigma Chapter