NEWS | May 25, 2021

97th Troop Command conducts change of responsibility

By Staff Sgt. Nicolas Cloward Utah Army National Guard

The 97th Troop Command, Utah Army National Guard conducted a change of responsibility ceremony at the 640th Regiment, Regional Training Institute on Camp Williams, Utah, May 23, 2021, where Command Sgt. Maj. Richard G. Thalman transferred responsibility to Command Sgt. Maj. Richard S. Brown.

The change of responsibility ceremony is a time-honored tradition where the outgoing senior noncommissioned officer symbolically relinquishes responsibility by passing the organizational colors to the unit commander and from there, passing them to the incoming senior noncommissioned officer.

Col. Tammy E. Manwaring, commander, 97th TC, hosted the ceremony and spoke about her time working alongside Thalman and the brigade moving forward in the future with Brown.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Thalman is an exceptional leader, senior NCO, and person. He really leads from the front, and he loves what he does. He loves being out there with the units and being involved," said Manwaring. "I'm looking forward to working with Command Sgt. Maj. Brown. He really brings a wealth of knowledge and a wide range of experience to the brigade. It's been great already getting to know him."

After the passing of the colors, both command sergeants major were given a moment to address the formation and the attending families.

Thalman, who was assigned as the command sergeant major of 97th TC in 2017 and concurrently served as the Region VIII Homeland Response Force senior enlisted leader, spoke about the accomplishments of the brigade's units under his command.

"During my time over the last three and a half years coming into this position, all of our units have exceeded my expectations," said Thalman. "One of my mantras is, ‘the best unit is the one you're in,’ and it's because you guys make it that way. Take that with you and 'quell the storm.'"

Thalman will be taking command as the Land Component Command senior enlisted advisor, Utah Army National Guard.

The time was then turned over to Brown, who previously served as the Utah Training Center garrison command sergeant major and most recently served as the noncommissioned officer in charge of Policy Compliance and Oversight Division, Warrior Care and Transition, Utah Army National Guard Medical Command.

"Thank you for your support. I look in here, and if I count every one of you, this is how many new mentors I have the opportunity to learn from," said Brown. "I'm going to learn from each and every one of you and your assignments, and I look forward to that. Thank you very much."

The 97th TC provides command and support to a wide range of assigned units, including the Homeland Response Force and Military Engagement Team. They also provide trained and equipped forces available during war time, national emergencies, and contingency mobilizations throughout the state.

Your Career Starts Here

ACUB
Army Compatible Use Buffer A Valued Partnership
By | Nov. 21, 2023
The cities of Saratoga Springs and Herriman joined the Utah National Guard at a small event hosted at Camp Williams on Oct. 4, 2023. The event recognized the immense work and partnership that enabled the purchase of over 10...

Master Sgt. Justin Cordero leads a Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness (resilience) class for Soldiers assigned to the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah, June 2, 2023. Cordero is a Resilience Training Assistant for the 204th. (US Army Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell)
Learning Optimism Is a Battle Drill Soldiers are on the for good stuff.
By | Nov. 21, 2023
Every month, they attend classes where they learn skills like optimism, self-regulation, and mental agility...

2023 Utah National Guard Counterdrug Conference EXSUM
By | Nov. 21, 2023
2023 Utah National Guard Counterdrug Conference exercise summery...

Utah Air National Guard members participate in Arbinger training
Utah Air National Guard participates in Arbinger training
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Nov. 3, 2023
In a classroom at the Utah Air National Guard Base, a group of Servicemembers were asked: What would be possible if you and your organization were more outward?The Servicemembers, with varying levels of rank and professional...

Utah Air National Guard members participate in Arbinger training
Utah Air National Guard participates in Arbinger training
By Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Perez | Nov. 3, 2023
In a classroom at the Utah Air National Guard Base, a group of Servicemembers were asked: What would be possible if you and your organization were more outward?The Servicemembers, with varying levels of rank and professional...

In a significant assumption of command and promotion ceremony held on 14 October 2023, Colonel G. Chris Buckner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assumed command of the Utah Air National Guard, also serving as the Assistant Adjutant General for Air of the Utah National Guard.
Brigadier General G. Chris Buckner Assumes Command of the Utah Air National Guard in Prestigious Ceremony
By Master Sgt. Colton Elliott | Oct. 16, 2023
In a significant assumption of command and promotion ceremony held on 14 October 2023, Colonel G. Chris Buckner was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General and assumed command of the Utah Air National Guard, also serving as...

204th MEB Soldiers Get Battle Ready for Africom Deployment
By Sgt. 1st Class Rich Stowell | Aug. 22, 2023
 “Contact! Contact!” Soldiers yell out to each other as they begin to take simulated fire from up the hill.It was part of a week-long training event for the 204th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Camp Williams, Utah. They call...

Freedom Academy delegates perform a customized group chant at Camp Williams on the morning of July 20th, 2023. Since 1961 the Utah National Guard and Honorary Colonels Corps have sponsored Freedom Academy, providing a challenging and engaging environment designed to teach high school leaders from across Utah the importance of freedom and highlight the military and governmental functions that are critical to its survival.
Utah National Guard hosts Freedom Academy 2023
By Sgt. Christine Hoskins | July 20, 2023
High school students from across the state of Utah assembled at Camp Williams for a week of learning, honing leadership skills, developing friendships, finding deeper purpose, and solidifying their understanding of freedom,...

Senior Airman Kevin Buckner (middle), fire protection with the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron, Utah National Guard, carries a pineapple while rucking more than six miles for the mystery event during the Region VII Best Warrior Competition on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu, May 7-11, 2023. The Best Warrior Competition is an annual Army-sponsored event designed to measure the Soldier’s physical fitness, mental acuity, and demonstrated skill in warrior tasks and battle drills. The Soldier and Noncommisioned Officer of the Year for the region will advance to the All Guard National Best Warrior Competition in Alaska.
Utah Airman keeps up with region’s top Soldiers at Best Warrior Competition
By Staff Sgt. Jordan Hack | May 12, 2023
Senior Airman Kevin Buckner, a fire protection journeyman with the 151st Civil Engineering Squadron, winner of the Soldier of the Year category at this year’s Utah National Guard Best Warrior Competition, impressed everyone...

Educators from high schools in Salt Lake and Utah Counties were given the chance to fly high with members of the Utah National Guard as part of a centers of influence event at Camp Williams, Utah, March 16, 2023. 

Lt. Col. Toby Adamson, commander, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, was one of the guest speakers at the COI event that helped educators become familiar with opportunities and resources the Utah National Guard has to offer their students with programs like Freedom Academy, Minuteman Scholarship, United Families and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
Utah educators fly on Black Hawk helicopters over Salt Lake and Utah counties
By Ileen Kennedy | March 17, 2023
Educators from Salt Lake and Utah Counties were given the chance to fly high on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter with members of the Utah National Guard’s 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment; and...