FORT CAMPBELL, KY − Thousands of soldiers gathered today at the Fort Campbell Division Parade Field for the Army’s Change of Command ceremony.
The soldiers were joined by dozens of community leaders and local officials, veterans, and friends and family as the 101st Airborne Division bid Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia farewell and welcomed Maj. Gen. David Gardner.
Sylvia took command of the 101st and Fort Campbell on July 20, 2023. During his tenure, the division pioneered the development of a unique Large-Scale, Long-Range Air Assault (L2A2) capability and led the US Army’s “Transformation in Contact” initiative, which aimed to prepare the division for future, large-scale combat operations while also informing the Army about force design and equipment modernization initiatives.
In addition to a robust training mission at Fort Campbell and elsewhere, the division deployed soldiers to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene relief efforts, the United States Central Command area of operations for Operation Inherent Resolve, multiple European countries in support of Operation European Assure, Deter, and Reinforce, and the United States southern border to support Joint Task Force Southern Border.
“Few could have predicted how the events of the next two years would create an environment of unprecedented opportunity and challenge,” Sylvia said, thinking back to his first day in command.
“And in the face of each of those challenges, the men and women standing before you today not only rose, but soared! Today, I stand before you with great pride, knowing that the 101st Airborne Division has not only built on a tremendous legacy, but has also solidified itself as the unit of choice for any mission, any time, any place, and against any foe.”
The division then welcomed its 50th commanding general, Maj. Gen. David Gardner, who has extensive operational and strategic experience. Gardner is moving to Fort Campbell from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he was Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Training (G-3/5/7), U.S. Army Forces Command.
He has also previously served as commanding general of the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) and Fort Johnson, Louisiana, where he was instrumental in shaping modern warfighting doctrine and preparing soldiers across the Army for the complexities of combat.
“It is the honor of a lifetime,” Gardner said. “It is unbelievably humbling to join the ranks of the former and current members of our nation’s most storied and recognized division.”
