Springfield-Based Brigade Gets New Commander

Col. Eric K. Little of Springfield Takes Command of 1,300-Soldier Unit in His Hometown

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SPRINGFIELD, IL (12/01/2012)(readMedia)-- The Illinois Army National Guard's 65th Troop Command Brigade had big shoes to fill when Col. Mark C. Jackson of Frankfort left the brigade to take command of the Urbana-based 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, but the Guard didn't have to walk far to fill them.

Col. Eric K. Little, who lives and works in Springfield, took command of the 1,300-Soldier 65th TCB from Jackson on Saturday, Dec. 1, at Camp Lincoln in a change of command ceremony.

"I assure you that I will give you 100 percent," Little told members of the brigade's 20 units. He thanked Jackson for his "leadership and mentorship" of the brigade. The 65th TCB served as the lead unit for the Illinois National Guard's response to two floods and a major winter storm during Jackson's tenure. The brigade also served as the headquarters element for the Illinois National Guard's support of the 2012 NATO Summit in Chicago under Jackson's tutelage.

"You made me proud and I salute you," Jackson told the Soldiers. He said that Little will bring the brigade to even "greater heights."

Photo caps:

U.S. Army photo by Maj. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Col. Eric Little of Springfield, new commander of the 65th Troop Command Brigade, makes a point during his remarks after formally taking command of the 1,300-Soldier unit. Listening to Little is Maj. Gen. Dennis L. Celletti, the acting Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard, and Brig. Gen. Johnny Miller, the Assistant Adjutant General – Army of the Illinois National Guard. The 65th TCB Change of Command Ceremony was held Saturday, Dec. 1, at Camp Lincoln in Springfield.

U.S. Army photo by Maj. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ The 144th Army Band's Sgt. David Studer of St. Charles, Spc. Joseph Scheck of Lake Zurich and Sgt. Blake Ozier of Cerro Gordo play martial music on their trombones as part of the Illinois National Guard's 65th Troop Command Brigade's Change of Command Ceremony. The brigade includes a diversity of subordinate units the band to a Green Beret Special Forces company to aviation and field artillery battalions. The 65th TCB Change of Command Ceremony was held Saturday, Dec. 1 at Camp Lincoln in Springfield

U.S. Army photo by Maj. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs/ Lt. Col. Loren LeGrand, Commander of the 2-123 Field Artillery Battalion, calls his unit to attention as part of the 65th Troop Command Brigade Change of Command Ceremony that was held Saturday, Dec. 1, at Camp Lincoln in Springfield. Col. Eric Little of Springfield took command of the 1,300-Soldier brigade from Col Mark Jackson of Frankfort.