FORT CAMPBELL, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell welcomed its 49th commander Thursday at a change of command ceremony. The 101st said farewell to Major General JP McGee as he relinquished command to Major General Brett Sylvia.

More than 14,000 Screaming Eagle soldiers and hundreds of guests were in attendance at the Division Parade Field on post. The event was timed perfectly and ended just before thunderstorms rolled across Fort Campbell and the surrounding area.

Major General Brett Sylvia , Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue, & Major General JP McGee at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue speaks to Major General JP McGee and Kate McGee at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell change of Command on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers Pass in Review at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers Pass in Review at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers Pass in Review at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers Pass in Review at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers Pass in Review at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers Pass in Review at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers Pass in Review at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers Pass in Review at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers Pass in Review at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers Pass in Review at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers with the 101st Band at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Major General Brett Sylvia speaking at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Major General JP McGee speaking at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue speaking at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Major General JP McGee, Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue, & Major General Brett Sylvia at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Tracy Koon performs the National Anthem at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Guests at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Firing of the artillery at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Screaming Eagle Soldiers at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
Firing of the artillery at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)
A fly over of 101st helicopters at the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and Fort Campbell Change of Command Ceremony on Jul. 20, 2023. (Lee Erwin)

General McGee served three times at Fort Campbell with the 101st, as a battalion commander, a brigade commander and as Division commander. McGee spoke to the soldiers and guests and became emotional as he said goodbye to Fort Campbell.

“It is a tremendous honor to have served here, it is a tremendous honor to have served as commanding general. I can’t tell you how sad I am to depart knowing this is my last formation with the Screaming Eagles, but also how incredibly proud I am to have been associated with a great group of Americans. Screaming Eagles, Air Assault,” McGee said.

General Sylvia returns to Fort Campbell after having served as former Chief of Staff of the 101st, and Commander of Task Force STRIKE and 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Sylvia said this about his return to Fort Campbell.

“It is a dream come true. I think that we all work our careers to one day have a job of significance, and I have to say I can’t think of nothing that is more significant than being the commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the senior commander here at Fort Campbell,” Sylvia said.

Sylvia added that the 101st is a wonderful organization, a wonderful unit, the community is phenomenal and he was proud to be back.