Afghan Vet Takes Command of National Guard Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion

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Major Robert Mitchell

STRATTON AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, SCOTIA, NY (12/03/2009)(readMedia)-- Major Robert Mitchell, a Ballston Lake resident and experience explosives ordnance disposal officer who served in Afghanistan, will take command of the New York Army National Guard's 501st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion on Saturday Dec. 5. The unit is expected to deploy to Iraq late in 2010.

WHO: Major Robert Mitchell, the incoming commander, Lt. Col. James Pabis, the outgoing commander, and representatives of the 501st EOD Battalion's companies.

WHAT: Traditional change-of-command ceremony in which Lt. Col. James Pabis will transfer the battalion flag, commonly called the colors, Major Robert Mitchell to mark the transition from one commander to another.

WHEN: 1 p.m., Saturday Dec. 5, 2009

WHERE: Stratton Air National Guard Base, Hanger 7, BLDG 11,1 Air National Guard Road, Scotia NY 12302

Coverage Opportunities:

Interviews with Major Mitchell , and Lt. Col. Pabis about the missions of the battalion and its unique role in combat. Visual opportunities will include the passing of the battalion colors and imagery of the troops in formation.

Members of the media seeking access to Stratton Air National Guard Base should contact Lt. Col. Jarry Wilday at 518-344-2103 in order to obtain access to the facility on Dec. 5.

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.

Major Robert Mitchell:

Major Robert Mitchell graduated from SUNY Binghamton in 1995 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army through the Reserve Officers Training Corps as an Ordnance Officer. After graduating from the Ordnance Officer Basic Course in January 1996, he was assigned to the 63rd Ordnance Company as a Platoon Leader at Fort Lewis, WA. He was then reassigned to Ft. Lee, VA in June 1998 where he attended the Captain's Career Course and subsequently graduated in May of 1999.

He entered Explosive Ordnance Basic School at Eglin AFB in June of 1999. Graduating in May 2000, he then was assigned to Fort Meade, MD as a Company Commander for the 744th Ordnance Company. There he participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. Upon completion of company command he was assigned to Eglin AFB, FL as Director of Training at the Naval Explosive Ordnance School.

In November 2005 Mitchell transferred to the New York Army National Guard to the 501st Ordnance Battalion serving as the Executive Officer until September 2009.

Mitchell's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Army Service Ribbon. Additionally, Major Mitchell has been awarded the Master Explosive Ordnance Disposal Badge.

MAJ Mitchell's Military and Civilian Education include the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, the Ordnance Captain's Career Course, the Combined Arms Services and Staff School, Explosive Ordnance Basic School and the Army Command and General Staff College (ILE). Major Mitchell holds a Bachelors degree from SUNY Binghamton in Geography.

MAJ Mitchell lives with his wife Vickie in Ballston Lake, NY. They have four children, Nick, Robbie, Zak and Jeff.

Lt. Col. James Pabis:

LTC James Pabis graduated from Northeastern University in 1991. Upon graduation he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve through the Reserve Officers Training Corps and branched Military Police.

His first assignment in the Army Reserves was Assistant Brigade S-3 for 1 BDE, 98 DIV until March 1992. From there he we assigned as the Executive Officer for CO E, 4th BN, 389th 1st BDE. In March 1994 he was then assigned to CO A, 1st BN, 389th 2 BDE where he again served as an Executive Officer. There he was subsequently promoted to First Lieutenant on 5 April 1994. In November 1996 he was assigned as the Company Commander for CO A, 1st BN, 389th 2 BDE. In that position, he was promoted to Captain on June 25th 1998. In November 1999 he was transferred to 1 BN 389th 2 BDE's Battalion Staff serving as the S-1.

In March 2001, Pabis left the Army Reserves and joined the New York Army National Guard and was assigned to HQ, STARC. On 12 June 2001, he was promoted to Major. In March 2002 he was reassigned as the Real Property Officer for STARC FE and then March 2003 was assigned to the 27th IN BDE as the Brigade Engineer. From there he was assigned in June 2004 as the Detachment Commander for the 272 MP Detachment.

During his time as Detachment Commander he participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on December 1st 2005. Upon his return from deployment, he was assigned as the 501st Ordnance Battalion (EOD) Commander in December 2007.

Pabis's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the National Defense Ribbon and the Meritorious Unit Citation and the Combat Action Badge.

His military and civilian education include the Military Officer Police Officer's Basic Course, the Engineer Officer's Advanced Course (non-resident), the Combined Arms Services and Staff School Phases 1 and 2 (non-resident) and the Command and General Staff Officer Course Phases 1, 2, 3, and 4 (non-resident). He holds a Bachelors of Science from Northeastern University and an M.B.A. from Sage Graduate School.

Pabis lives with his wife Sandy in Ballston Lake, NY. He is a corporate recruiter who operates Saratoga Source LLC. He has been assigned as Provost Marshall for the New York National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division, based in Troy. In combat the Provost Marshall is responsible for law enforcement and Military Police operations within the division operations area.

501st Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion:

Based at the Scotia Armed Forces Reserve Center the 501st EOD battalion is a headquarters unit which is able to take control of two to five Explosive Ordnance Disposal companies in a combat zone. The 501st is the higher headquarters for the New York Army National Guard's 1108th EOD Company, also based at the Scotia Armed Forces Reserve Center, along with EOD companies in Greenville, North Carolina, Camp Edward, Massachusetts, Camp Dawso, West Virginia, and Camp Grayling, Michigan.

In the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, explosive ordnance disposal experts are in the frontlines removing bombs and clearing roads so that Soldiers and supplies can move and so civilians are safer. Since the 501st was converted from an infantry unit in 2005 it has sent EOD Soldiers to both combat theaters.

The 501st traces its roots back to the New York National Guard's historic 105th Infantry Regiment , known as the " Appleknockers," because historically the Soldiers of the regiment worked in the apple orchards of the Hudson Valley as civilians. The regiment fought in World War I and World War II before converting to an EOD battalion in 2005.

The 501st also serves as the higher headquarters for the New York Army National Guard's 102nd Maintenance Company, 138th Public Affairs Detachment, and 1427th Transportation Company.

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