FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The 53rd Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade conducted a change of command ceremony the morning of Feb. 28 at Fort Eustis' Anderson Field House to officially welcome Lt. Col. Stephen W. Ledbetter as battalion commander, and to bid a heartfelt farewell to outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Corey A. New.
"I am humbled and honored at the opportunity to command," said Ledbetter. "And I will do my best to care for every Soldier, civilian and family member within this battalion each and every day."
Colonel Steve M. Cherry, commander, 7th Sust. Bde. (Provisional), and ceremony reviewing officer, addressed the crowd of Soldiers, leaders, distinguished guests, and family members sharing the numerous successes of the battalion to include their recent deployment to Joint Base Balad, Iraq, in support of Operation New Dawn where they coordinated and executed the redeployment and reposture of forces out of Iraq.
"Under Lt. Col. New's leadership during the past three years, his battalion's accomplishments are almost too numerous to name," said Cherry. "You have made significant contributions to your battalion and this brigade."
He offered best wishes to him in the future, and then turned his direction to Ledbetter in the front row.
"Lt Col. Ledbetter, you have some big shoes to fill, but I'm convinced that based on your resume and reputation of doing extremely well, that you will make a tremendous impact on your new team. You are inheriting a great battalion with an outstanding reputation," said Cherry.
Ledbetter, a native of Hendersonville, Tenn., received his commission into the Transportation Corps in December of 1993. Most recently he served as the Chief of Operations, 528th Sust. Bde. (Special Operations) (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.
New was recently selected for the grade of colonel, and accepted into the command and staff college. He said it has been an honor to lead and serve with all Soldiers and Airmen at Fort Eustis and in Iraq.
"What we accomplished as part of a larger team was historic, and set the example for all future conflicts when it comes to responsibly leaving a theater of operations," said New.
A native of Rumford, Maine, New attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course in 1991 upon his commissioning, and later transferred to the Transportation Corps in 1993.