45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team welcomes new commander
BY CARMEN FORMAN NewsOK.com
Monday, June 04, 2012
6/04/12 at 5:32 AM
NORMAN - The Oklahoma National Guard's 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team passed the brigade flag to its new commander Sunday.
Outgoing commander, Col. Joel Ward, will retire in the next few months from the National Guard, and stepped down as the commander of the 45th following its recent deployment to Afghanistan.
The change of command ceremony at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center gave a chance for six of the 45th's battalions to welcome their new commander and honor the outgoing one.
Ward spent 24 years in the Oklahoma Army National Guard and was replaced by Col. Van Kinchen, who has spent 29 years in the National Guard.
Click here to read the complete article at NewsOK.com.
Original Print Headline: 45Th Team Greets A New Leader
cforman@opubco.com
Associated Images:
Col. Van Kinchen speaks Sunday during the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team change of command ceremony at the Norman Armed Forces Reserve Center. GARETT FISBECK / The Oklahoman
Col. Joel Ward of Tulsa (hand on chin), retiring commander of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, sits at the joint session of the Legislature to recognize the 45th at the State Capitol in April. DAVID MCDANIEL / The Oklahoman
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