The Alabama National Guard's 31st Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Brigade Gets New Leader

MONTGOMERY, AL (07/21/2011)(readMedia)--

The Alabama National Guard's 31st Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Brigade from Northport will welcome Brig. Gen. David R. Brown as the new brigade commander in a ceremony Saturday, July 23, at 10 a.m. at Capitol Park off 28th Ave. in Downtown Tuscaloosa. Brown will take over the reins from Maj. Gen. Charles H. Gailes, Jr. who has held the command since January 2009.

Brown returns to the brigade where he held the position of Deputy Commander from June 2009 to December 2010. Brown comes from Joint Forces Headquarters in Montgomery where he holds the position of Assistant Adjutant General.

Brown, an Auburn University graduate, was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1986 through the Alabama Military Academy Officer Candidate School in Fort McClellan, Alabama. Brown has served in numerous capacities with the Alabama National Guard since his commission. Brown deployed in 2006 shortly after graduating from the United States War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, and returned there to serve two years of active duty after his deployment.

Brown was promoted to Brigadier General on January 5, 2011, and has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Commendation Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) and Army Achievement Medal (with 3 Bronze Leaf Clusters).

The general public and media are invited to attend the change of command ceremony.

POC: Capt. Scott Massey (334)425-8175

Release# 2011072101