La Grange Park Soldier takes command of Aviation Battalion in Peoria

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Maj. John Husemann of La Grange Park receives the battalion flag from Col. Mark Jackson of Frankfort, the 65th Troop Command Brigade commander.

PEORIA, IL (06/04/2012)(readMedia)-- Maj. John Husemann of La Grange Park assumed command of the Illinois Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment in Peoria during a Change of Command ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility #3 in Peoria, June 3.

Husemann, formerly the State Aviation Office's operation officer, received command from Lt. Col. Randy Sikowski of Decatur, who has been in charge of approximately 540 Soldiers since December 2009 and will continue as the State Aviation officer. The Change of Command ceremony is a tradition, which formally symbolizes the continuation of authority.

Photo captions:

Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office/ Maj. John Husemann of La Grange Park receives the battalion flag from Col. Mark Jackson of Frankfort, the 65th Troop Command Brigade commander, symbolizing Husemann's assumption of command for 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment at the Army Aviation Support Facility #3 in Peoria, June 3. Husemann takes command of approximately 540 Soldiers in the battalion.

Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Kassidy L. Snyder, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office/ Command Sgt. Maj. Jon Taylor of Decatur passes the battalion flag to Lt. Col. Randy Sikowski of Decatur, the outgoing 1st Battalion, 106th Aviation Regiment commander during a Change of Command ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility #3 in Peoria, June 3. Sikowski has been in command since December 2009.