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closeArrowhead Brigade welcomes new leader
Soldiers also say farewell to Col. Charles R. Webster
By Staff Sgt. Christopher McCullough
3rd Bde., 2nd Inf. Div. Public Affairs
Staff Sgt. Chris McCullough
Major Gen. Stephen R. Lanza (second from right), commander, 7th Infantry Division passes the colors of the 3rd Bde., 2nd Inf. Div. to the incoming commander, Col. Hugh D. Bair. Bair took command of the “Arrowhead” Brigade from Col. Charles R. Webster (right) in a change-of-command ceremony on JBLM’s Watkins Field, March 8.
The 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division held a change of command and change of responsibility at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, March 8.
Colonel Charles R. Webster, who commanded the Arrowhead Brigade for more than two years including a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan, relinquished command to Col. Hugh D. Bair on Watkins Field.
Webster led the brigade to Af- ghanistan in December 2011, where his Soldiers focused on the destruction and disruption of insurgent activity throughout southern Afghanistan.
Webster commented on how he had dreaded this day — the day he relinquished command of the Army’s first Stryker brigade.
“But what an adventure — not only the 30 months, but also the last 30 years,” he said.
Webster announced his retirement at the ceremony, after 30 years of service, 26 of them on active duty.
“Today not only marks my last formation as Arrowhead Six, but today also marks my last formation as an active member of the Army,” Webster said.
He thanked and lauded his team for a job well done, especially for their work in Afghanistan.
“To the Soldiers and officers of the Arrowhead Brigade, thank you all for standing up and facing the enemies of our country and stating with your actions, ‘Not on my watch,’” Webster said. “The three most important titles I’ve worked to gain over the last 30 years are husband, dad and commander. I’ll never give up the first two, but it has been one of the greatest honors of my life to hold the third as your commander,” Webster said.
Bair comes to 3rd Bde., 2nd Inf. Div. from the Army’s Warrior Transition Command in Alexandria, Va., where he worked as the operations officer in charge. Bair said he felt humbled to join “such a magnificent organization.”
“Your stellar reputation is well-earned, your many successes well-known, and your story is well-told throughout the Army,” he said.
The brigade command sergeants major also changed responsibility as Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel G. Murphy relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Peter L. Smith, who was previously the battalion command sergeant major for 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, a battalion in 3rd Bde.