Press Release Index
CONTACT: Mr. Eric Durr, 518-786-4581
FOR RELEASE: Saturday, Sep 12, 2009
ON SITE: Lt. Col. Dan Walther, (cell) 518-281-5895

153rd Troop Command Changes Hands Saturday

Media Advisory

WHO:

Col. Fred Kubus, a member of the Army National Guard since 1970, Lt. Col. Reginald Sanders, and representatives of the units of the 153rd Troop Command.

WHAT:

BUFFALO, NY (09/10/2009)(readMedia)-- Col. Fred Kubus turns over command of the New York Army National Guard's 153rd Troop Command to Lt. Col. Reginald Sanders on Saturday, Sept. 12 at the Connecticut Street Armory in Buffalo. Both men are veterans of the war in Iraq. Change of Command Ceremony to formally recognize the transfer of authority from one commander to another.

WHEN:

Saturday, 12 September 2009, 1 p.m.

WHERE:

National Guard Armory, 184 Connecticut Street, Buffalo, New York

Coverage Opportunities: There will be an opportunity to interview both Col. Kubus and Lt. Col. Sanders, about their military careers and the role of the 153rd Troop Commmand. Video opportunities include the transfer of the commands flag from the outgoing to the incoming commander and troops in formation. Members of the media wishing to cover the ceremony must contact Lt. Col. Dan Walther (cell) 518-281-5895 in order to gain access to this secure military facility. Background: The Change of Command: The Change of Command Ceremony dates back to the days in which a military unit's flag marked its position in the line of battle. The colors were always near the commander, so troops knew where to rally on the battlefield. Today the transfer of the colors marks a change in the unit and givens the soldiers their first opportunity to see and hear their new leader. The change of command ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of the outgoing commander and the Soldiers who served under him. In addition, the ceremony identifies the new commander to the Soldiers, so they can follow him on the field of battle. Lt. Col. Reginald Sanders: LTC Sanders entered the Army as a private after graduating from Western New England College in 1983. In 1985 he attended the Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Ordnance Officer in 1985, serving in the 10th Mountain Division until 1989. In 1989 he left active duty and joined the New York Army National Guard's 145th Maintenance Company, based at Fort Drum. He also began a civilian career as a manager at Chrysler in 1989, retiring as international customer relations manager for Europe in 2008. He currently serves as Superintendent of the National Guard Mobilization, Assistance Training Equipment Site at Fort Drum. He served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a liaison officer for the 42nd Infantry Division and also served in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He has also served as a logistics training officer for the Albanian Army. His military positions include 27th Brigade Combat Team Rear Detachment Commander, Company Commander, and Brigade Logistics Officer. He was most recently commander of the 27th Brigade Special Troops Battalion. His awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He has earned an Associate in Business Administration in 1981, from Holyoke Community College, in Holyoke Massachusetts, a Bachelor of Science in Business Management in 1983, from Western New England College in Springfield, Massachusetts, and a Master of Business Administration in 1997, from State University of Buffalo. He is currently in the final stage of earning his PhD in the area of Human resources and Leadership at North Central University. He is married to Judi Mckee-Sanders and resides in Sackets Harbor, New York. They have 5 children and 6 grandchildren. His daughter ,Specialist April Torres, is also a member of the New York Army National Guard. COL. Fred Kubus: Col. Kubus joined the New York Army National Guard in 1970, enlisting in the 152nd Engineer Battalion as a crawler tractor operator. He reached the rank of Staff Sgt. Before attending the Empire State Military Academy and being commissioned as 2nd Lt., in June 1981. He has served as a company commander, battalion logistics officer, battalion operations officer, battalion executive officer and battalion commandeer of the 152nd Engineer Battalion. In 2004 he became commander of the 42nd Infantry Division Engineer Brigade and led that headquarters in Iraq in 2004/2005. Under his command were an Engineer Corps Wheeled Battalion, Combat Heavy Engineer Battalion, two Utility Companies and a detachment of Civil Affairs from the US Air Force. Also, as the Division Engineer, Col. Kubus was responsible for Force Protection, Assured Mobility, General Engineering and Iraqi Infrastructure. The brigade was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation for its efforts. In 2006 he assumed command of the 153rd Troop Command, which was formed from the Engineer Brigade headquarters when the 42nd Infantry Division was reorganized. His awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal. He is married to the former Maria J. Walters. They have three children F. Michael, Erica, and Robert and two grand children Emma and Victoria. 153rd Troop Command: 153rd Troop Command is a component of the New York Army National Guard's 53rd Troop Command, a major subordinate headquarters and is one of four brigade-level headquarters in the New York Army National Guard. The 153rd is responsible for overseeing 1,700 Soldiers (an Engineer Battalion, an Explosive Ordinance Disposal Battalion, Military Police Battalion, a Military Liaison Detachment, and Transportation Company). In a state emergency the 153rd Troop Command is responsible for commanding both Army and Air National Guard units in 18 Western New York counties

Attachments:


© NYS DMNA Press Release:153rd Troop Command Changes Hands Saturday
URL: https://dmna.ny.gov/pressroom/?id=1252687831
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