Troy-based NY Army National Guard Battalion gets new commander on Friday

LATHAM, NY (06/10/2021) (readMedia)-- Lt. Col. Bryon Linnehan, a veteran of two deployments to Iraq, will take command of the 42nd Infantry Division's Headquarters Battalion during a ceremony at the Glenmore Road Armory in Troy on Friday, June 11 at 12:30 p.m.

The Battalion is responsible for all the components which work to enable the division commander, Major General Thomas Spencer, to lead more than 20,000 Soldiers in combat.

Members of the press are invited to cover the ceremony.

WHO: Lt. Col. Bryon Linnehan the incoming commander at Lt. Col. Gurpreet Singh, the outgoing commander, and the men and women of the 42nd Infantry Division's Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion.

WHAT: Traditional change-of-command ceremony in which Singh will hand the battalion flag, commonly called the colors, to Linnehan to mark the transition from one commander to another.

WHEN: 12:30 p.m. June 11, 2021

WHERE: Glenmore Road Armory, 137 Glenmore Road, Troy, NY

Coverage Opportunities:

Interviews with Singh and Linnehan about the missions of the battalion and its role in supporting troops in combat. Visual opportunities will include the passing of the battalion colors and imagery of the troops in massed formation.

For access to this military facility, reporters must contact Major Jean Marie Kratzer, 518-496-7150.

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.

Lt. Col. Bryon Linnehan

Lt. Col. Bryon Linnehan earned his commission through ROTC at The Johns Hopkins University in 2001 and was commissioned in Military Police. He has served in South Korea, and at Fort Hood, Texas while on Active Duty.

He deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, Operation Iraqi Freedom 006-008, and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2017.

He has served in the 1st Battalion 69th Infantry, the 369th Special Troops Battalion, Joint Force Headquarters, the 369th Sustainment Brigade, and as the commander of the Camp Smith Headquarters Company.

He has served as an MP platoon leader, MP company executive officer, intelligence officer, projects officer, battalion executive officer, and support operations officer.

He is a graduate of a number of military schools including Command and General Staff College and the Advanced Operations Course. He is currently enrolled in the Army War College.

His awards include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Korean Defensive Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Parachutist Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge.

In civilian life he is a compliance officer for Barclay's Bank in Whippany, New Jersey. He and his wife Kristy have two sons and live in New Providence, New Jersey.

42nd Infantry Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion:

The 42nd Division Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion organized in October 2011. It consists of four companies that support the commander and staff of the 42nd Infantry Division. These include the Headquarters and Support Company, Operations Company, Intelligence and Sustainment Company and Signal Company.

The 42nd Infantry Division aligns for training with more than 14,000 Soldiers from the New York Army National Guard's 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, the New Jersey National Guard's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the Vermont National Guard's 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the New Hampshire National Guard's 197th Fires Brigade and the Massachusetts Army National Guard's 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.