Since March 2021, Major General J.P. McGee has been Fort Campbell’s guiding voice and leading authority of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
That officially changed Thursday morning, when McGee relinquished command in an official field ceremony, passing the colors to another soldier familiar with the Screaming Eagles in Major General Brett Sylvia.
However, before handing the proverbial torch, McGee was able to unspool what’s been a rather difficult and challenging last 28 months for the division under his tenure, including:
— The emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, along with COVID-19 deployments to Orlando, Chicago and Cleveland.
— The assisting of Afghan allies, following the demilitarization of Afghanistan.
— The celebrating of low-combat operations, and division unity for the first time in two decades.
— The ramping up of high-intensity combat training for large-scale combat operations, which eventually led to the deployment and support of Ukraine against unnecessary, “senseless, wasteful” Russian aggression.
— The supporting of NATO, when the Russian advance continued into Ukrainian sovereignty, and created need for America’s presence in Europe for the first time in 80 years.
— And, finally, the handling of the March 29 tragedy in Trigg County, where nine soldiers perished in a two-helicopter crash during night maneuvers.
Now, in comes Sylvia, whose previous combat assignments and operational deployments include Commander 1st Cavalry Division Forward in Poland, Chief of Staff of the 101st Airborne Division and US Forces in Afghanistan, Operations Officer for 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment and Executive Officer for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division.
Sylvia said he was looking forward to his command, and reflected on those first words that were spoken when the 101st was formed.
Fort Campbell’s top post typically rotates every two years.
