RELEASE NUMBER: 140910-02
DATE POSTED: SEPTEMBER 10, 2014
USASOAC farewells unit’s first ever command sergeant major, welcomes second
by Staff Sgt. JaJuan S. Broadnax
USASOAC Public Affairs
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (USASOC News Service, Sept. 10, 2014) – The United States Army Special Operations Aviation Command (Airborne) held a change of responsibility ceremony on Aug. 29 at Meadows Field where Command Sgt. Maj. David L. Leamon relinquished responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory M. Chambers.
Leamon was USASOAC’s very first Command Sergeant Major since the unit’s activation in March 2011.
“ARSOAC was inaugurated with a charter and broad mandate, a handful of NCOs and officers, some borrowed office space,” said Brig. Gen. Erik C. Peterson, USASOAC Commanding General. “I can’t think of a task more daunting than standing up a new organization during a decade plus of unprecedented enduring combat commitments with a simultaneous counter pressure of reduced resources and available manpower. But, leading effectively in time of transition and adversity is what defines us and what distinguishes our very best.”
“Despite the hurdles, in a short few years ˗ with Dave’s sustained leadership and engagement, and a gradually growing all-star team ˗ ARSOAC evolved into a functional command that enables all aspects of Army Special Operations Aviation on behalf of our supported units and higher command,” Peterson continued. “During the challenging period of growth and transition Dave’s wisdom, experience and steady hand were key [as well] as the sage advice he provided the commanding general and other senior leaders.”
Leamon, who is retiring later this year, said that his tenure as the USASOAC command sergeant major wasn’t always easy but went by far too fast.
“It’s almost like I blinked and three years had flown by,” he said.
“I know that the tax payers got a good ‘two for the price of one’ deal with the Leamons,” said Peterson, in reference to the dedication and commitment of both Command Sgt. Maj. Leamon and his wife, retired Master Sgt. Heavenly Leamon, throughout the USASOAC and military community.
As the command bid farewell to one great leader, they ushered in another.
“Greg is a well-known, highly respected leader with broad experience and an exceptional reputation and was carefully selected from a slate of competitive, well-qualified leaders,” said Peterson. “He’s an accomplished leader of change, a consummate trainer and team builder, and collaborative problem solver who engages with facility and confidence at the highest levels of our Army.”
Chambers, who has over 17 years of experience in the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation community, realizes the importance of the role that he is to play in the upcoming years.
“Together, as a team, we will ensure this command produces and executes the most complex SOF aviation tasks in the world,” said Chambers. “I am humbled and excited to serve as the next USASOAC command sergeant major.”