‘Imperial’ Brigade changes command
Col. Reginald R. Davis, outgoing commander of 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, welcomes Maj. Gen. Gary H. Cheek, deputy commanding general of Third Army, U.S. Army Central, Coalition Forces Land Component Command, to the 11th ADA Bde. change of command Aug. 27 in Southwest Asia. Photo by Capt. Jason Koontz, 11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs.
Capt. Jason Koontz,
11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs:
SOUTHWEST ASIA – The 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade held a change of command in an undisclosed location here Aug. 27, during which Col. Reginald R. Davis relinquished command to Col. Clement S. Coward Jr.
The brigade command element is currently deployed to Southwest Asia. Davis has been in command of the brigade for the past two years and has developed a special bond with the unit.
Before the ceremony, Brig. Gen. James H. Dickinson, commander of 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, presented the Legion of Merit to Davis in recognition of his hard work, dedication and sacrifice.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve with the outstanding Soldiers of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade for the past 26 months,” said Davis. “I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of each and every Soldier. The service of the Soldiers and their selfless dedication can never be repaid.”
Davis is a 1986 graduate of The Citadel and has served in the air defense community for his entire career. Davis and his wife Eugenia are slated to move to Washington, D.C., where he will begin his next assignment as a member of the Joint Staff.
Col. Reginald R. Davis, outgoing commander of 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, passes the brigade colors to Brig. Gen. James H. Dickinson, commander of 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, during the brigade change of command Aug. 27 in Southwest Asia. Photo by Staff Sgt. Sheila L. Dever, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing.
Coward was born in Colon, Panama, and moved to the United States in 1967 where he became a naturalized citizen. In 1988, he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where he was commissioned as an air defense artillery officer. Coward holds two master’s degrees – the first in national security and strategic studies from the Naval War College, and the second in strategic studies from the Army War College.
Coward said he looks forward to the challenges of taking command of a brigade while being deployed.
“It’s great to be back serving with the ‘Imperial’ Brigade,” said Coward. “I look forward to building upon the successes of our Soldiers and leaders and to continuing my service with the Air Defense Task Force and with [U.S. Central Command].”
Coward and his family arrived at Fort Bliss in June, moving here from Carlisle Barracks, Pa., where Coward completed his master’s degree. Once the family’s quarters had been established, Coward left for Southwest Asia. He and his wife Jody have been married for 23 years. The couple has two children, Christopher and Kaitlin.
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