THAAD welcomes new commander
From left, Capt. Benjamin Mayhew, incoming commander of A Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), receives the battery guidon from Lt. Col. Pablo Batista, the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade’s deputy commanding officer, after being passed to him by outgoing commander Capt. Stephen Rachamim. In the background, battery 1st Sgt. Daniel Parker awaits the return of the guidon at the Aug. 16 change of command held on Patriot Field here. Photo by Sgt. Todd Robinson, 11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs.
Sgt. Todd Robinson,
11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs:
Capt. Benjamin Mayhew assumed command of A Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense), 11th ADA Brigade, during a change of command on Patriot Field here Aug. 16.
Mayhew assumed command from Capt. Stephen Rachamim during the ceremonial passing of the battery guidon. This guidon passing is carried out among the unit’s first sergeant, outgoing commander, brigade commander, incoming commander. The guidon is returned to the first sergeant. This signifies that the Soldiers of the unit will never be without leadership.
“‘Honored’ is the best word to describe how I feel right now,” said Mayhew. “I feel honored and privileged to be out front, and I am overwhelmed by the opportunity and position I am now in.”
Mayhew, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., has been in the Army for five years and has been part of the brigade throughout his career.
Lt. Col. Pablo Batista, the brigade’s deputy commanding officer, officiated the ceremony and represented the brigade commander, Col. Reginald Davis, who is deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
“I am very impressed with how the troops came out together and how they organized a highly professional change of command ceremony for a very professional outgoing commander,” said battery 1st Sgt. Daniel Parker. “I look forward to working with the new commander at the next level of proffessionalism that we are taking THAAD to.”
Rachamim had commanded the battery for 25 months and has served with the brigade for the last eight and a half years. Rachamim also received the Meritorious Service Medal at the ceremony.
Rachamim’s next assignment will be at the Army’s Human Resources Center at Fort Knox, Ky.
“It’s always great to move on,” said Rachamim. “It’s tough to leave a terrific unit like A2. The accomplishments that this unit was able to achieve are a great reflection of what a great family this unit is.”
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