Change of Command, 82nd Airborne Div., HHBn Today

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The 82nd Airborne Division’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion will conduct their Change of Command ceremony at 2p.m., Friday, on Fort Bragg’s Pike Field.

Lt. Col.  Dave Leach will relinquish command of the 82nd Airborne Div. HHBn to Lt. Col. Jarrett A. Thomas II.

Lt. Col. Leach commanded the battalion during its recent deployment to Afghanistan. The unit’s Paratroopers, were instrumental in serving as the Regional Command South and Combined Joint Task Force-82 headquarters in southern Afghanistan operating alongside Afghan security forces during their 12-month tour.

Lt. Col. Thomas served in the Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team as the Brigade Adjutant from 2009 to 2011. In his most recent assignment, he served as the XVIII Airborne Corps G1 Strength Manager on Fort Bragg.