Col. Gregory Phipps, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Kent Porter in a ceremony conducted at the 115th Field Artillery Brigade headquarters readiness center, in Cheyenne, April 9.
Phipps spent the entirety of his career serving in the 115th, starting out at the rank of private in 1989. The Wyoming Army National Guard commander, assistant adjutant general Brig. Gen. Tammy Maas, passed on her thanks to Phipps for his selfless service to the brigade.
“You have given so much to this organization and always put the Wyoming National Guard first,” she said.
Maas took a moment to acknowledge the contributions Phipps has given to not only the 115th Field Artillery Brigade, but to the Wyoming National Guard as a whole.
“His knowledge of field artillery is top notch,” she said of Phipps, noting that he has held about every assignment possible in field artillery.
Porter introduced himself to the soldiers of the 115th, now under his command, communicating his top three priorities that he believes every soldier needs in order to build a cohesive unit and a team atmosphere: take care of your training, take care of the soldiers around you and take care of your families.
“Lt. Col. Porter, you have my complete confidence in your leadership abilities to take this brigade through the challenges of the next few years,” said Maas.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, distinguished guests, members of the National Guard community and soldiers took time to say their goodbyes to Phipps and welcome Porter.
The command was officially changed per tradition by the passing of the colors.