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1/360th Battalion, 360th Infantry Trailer 8 Camp McGregor, New Mexico

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001-09-24-08
SSG Alyn Macleod For Immediate Release: September 25, 2008 719-433-5829

alynmichael.macleod@us.army.mil

WarHawg roots out new commander

Staff Sgt. Alyn-Michael Macleod, 1st Battalion, 360th Infantry, Warhawg, 5th Armored Brigade, First Army Division West

FORT BLISS, TEXAS With the passing of the unit colors, Maj. Mathew C. Beckstead relinquished command of the 1st Battalion, 360th Regiment Warhawg, 5th Armored Brigade, First Army Division West, to Lt. Col Christopher McElveen here at McGregor Range on Sept. 5. Col. Francis V. Sherman, Jr., commander of 5th Armored Brigade, First Army Division West praised Becksteads accomplishment during his command tenure and welcomed McElveen to the 5th Armored family. He [Beckstead] did it with passion and vigor, Sherman said. He took on a very difficult unit mobilization assistor mission . made the personal contact with the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Warhawg trained them and got them documented. Since 9/11 the Warhawgs have assisted the 5th Armored Brigade in training over 65,000 Soldiers, Airmen and Sailors for their missions in support of the Global War on Terror, explained Sherman. Sherman went on to explain the Joint Force security force missions, the Air Force units, the Navy teams and the Army MIT teams the WarHawgs were involved with at Fort Riley and in Fort Carson. He addressed their deployment on key counter IED Defeat missions finished by saying, they have supported other First Army taskings and have all done this with professionalism and pride. Beckstead thanked Col. Sherman saying, I would like to thank Col. Sherman for the opportunity he gave me. It is not every Major that gets to command a Battalion and so I truly appreciate that opportunity. Also included in Becksteads appreciation was Warhawg Command Sgt. Maj. Henry McClellan. I would be remiss to not thank my right arm, my Sgt. Maj. Hank McCellan, said Beckstead. He was always there for me to bounce ideas off of and I can tell you that he works everyday for the benefit and well being of his Soldiers and he has been a tremendous example for me and an inspiration. praised Beckstead. Beckstead concluded his speech by highlighting the extensive mission experience and high op tempo of his Soldiers. We hit the ground running and never stopped, he said. Beckstead spoke of the over 319 days of deployment the Warhawgs had logged this past year alone and marveled at the fact that they were still going strong.

There is one statistic that stands and shows what kind of men are in this battalion. There are 54 men and those 54 men have 117 combat tours between them, Beckstead explained. The depth of experience is unmatched in any other unit that I have ever been in, he enthused. In keeping with Army tradition, once Beckstead said farewell to his comrades and peers, it was time for the incoming commander to make his remarks. Col Sherman, I sincerely appreciate you affording me the opportunity to lead Soldiers, said McElveen. I will remain committed to serving our nation with holistic dedication, to provide quality leadership, and to ensure we train and prepare units to accomplish their assigned mission in support of Global War on Terror. McElveen concluded his speech by lauding his new unit. To the Soldiers, Non-Commissioned Officers and Officers .. Your performance today is simply outstanding. I am extremely humbled, blessed and honored to be joining the ranks of unit with such a rich history of serving our nation which has continued to grow richer through your continuous execution of training. A distinguished military graduate of Benedict College Reserve Officers Training Corps, McElveen earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics and Business Administration while attending there. He then went on to receive his Master of Business Administration from Webster University. His military education includes the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Junior Maintenance Officer Course, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Air Defense Artillery Airspace Coordination Digital Course, and the U.S Army Airborne and pathfinder Schools. McElveens awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Navy medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, Korean Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Pathfinder Badge.

-- 30 -Till the Bitter End ___________________________________________________________________________________