Illinois Army Guard aviation battalion welcomes new commander

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PEORIA, IL (07/11/2016)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment based in Peoria, Illinois welcomed its new commander and bid farewell to its previous commander during a change of command ceremony at Army Aviation Support Facility #3 in Peoria, Illinois, June 9.

Lt. Col. Jason Osberg of Champaign, Illinois, took command from Lt. Col. Christopher McIntyre of Cantrall, Illinois. McIntyre had commanded the 106th since 2014.

Osberg thanked senior leadership in attendance for the opportunity to take command of the battalion and said he was excited to return to a battalion that has done so many good things.

"I was a member of this battalion for 23 years before I left," said Osberg. "Getting back here is really nice and I really look forward to it."

Osberg said he's known the outgoing commander for nearly his entire career and enjoyed working with him and wished him well in the future.

"It's kind of bittersweet taking the battalion from Chris," said Osberg. "I'm sure we'll cross paths again sometime."

McIntyre, who will be retiring after a 32-year career, said he was very proud to have served as the 106th's commander and was grateful to depart on a positive note.

"I'm not going to use the same cliché that it's bittersweet," said McIntyre. "I think it's the perfect culmination to a 32-year career. I've finished my career in the same hangar that my dad did when he was in the (Illinois Air National Guard's) 182nd Fighter Wing."

McIntyre said that the battalion had come a long way since the 1990s and had accomplished a lot.

"Just seeing the success of the organization as a whole makes you extremely proud of them, just like your family and your kids," said McIntyre. "It's something you're always going to hold and cherish."

Cutline 1: Lt. Col. Jason Osberg of Champaign, Illinois, incoming commander of Illinois' 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, based in Peoria, Illinois, addresses the Soldiers and families in attendance during the 106th's change of command ceremony at Army Aviation Support Facility #3 in Peoria, Illinois, July 9. Osberg took command from Lt. Col. Christopher McIntyre, of Cantrall, Illinois, who will be retiring after a 32-year career as an Army aviator. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 2: Lt. Col. Christopher McIntyre, of Cantrall, Illinois, outgoing commander of the Illinois Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, based in Peoria, Illinois, passes the battalion colors to Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia of Chatham, Illinois, the Assistant Adjutant General – Army, Illinois National Guard, during the 106th's battalion change of command ceremony at Army Aviation Support Facility #3 in Peoria, Illinois, July 9. The passing of the colors symbolizes the outgoing commander's relinquishment of command and the incoming commander's acceptance of the new responsibility. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)

Cutline 3: Lt. Col. Jason Osberg, of Champaign, Illinois, incoming commander of the Illinois Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment, based in Peoria, Illinois, receives the battalion colors from Brig. Gen. Michael Zerbonia of Chatham, Illinois, the Assistant Adjutant General – Army, Illinois National Guard, during the 106th's battalion change of command ceremony at Army Aviation Support Facility #3 in Peoria, Illinois, July 9. The passing of the colors symbolizes the outgoing commander's relinquishment of command and the incoming commander's acceptance of the new responsibility. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs)