Fort Campbell, KY. – (CLARKSVILLENOW) The 46th commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Maj. Gen. Andrew Poppas, relinquished command of the world’s only air assault division to Maj. Gen. Brian Winski, at Fort Campbell Thursday.
Thousands of Screaming Eagle soldiers filled the Division Parade Field as hundreds of community leaders friends and family members filled the stands for the ceremony.
Under Poppas’ leadership, the 101st Abn. Div. deployed soldiers to combat, contingency and peacekeeping missions around the world, to include Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, Operation Freedom’s Sentinel in Afghanistan, dozens of training and partnership missions on the African and European continents, and hurricane and disaster relief missions in Puerto Rico and the U.S.
Most recently, Poppas and the division’s headquarters returned from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan, where they served at the fore of the conditions-based U.S. South Asia Strategy and the NATO-led, 41-nation Resolute Support mission.
General Poppas talked about the soldiers formed up on the field. “They give more than they receive, they leave their homeland and they fight in foreign lands, they labor and they sacrifice and they undertake the noblest of endeavors. They’ve dedicated their life to the security of our country, the security of others that are yearning for freedom, and making a better world for our children,” said Poppas.
In a separate ceremony following the change of command, the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army and former 101st Abn. Div. commander, Gen. James McConville, promoted Poppas to lieutenant general. Poppas’ next assignment will be at the Pentagon as director of operations for the Joint Staff.
Winski is no stranger to Fort Campbell or the Kentucky-Tennessee region. He served in the 101st Abn. Div. for over 12 years, including as 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Abn. Div. commander both at home and deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
His last assignment to Fort Campbell was in 2009 when he served as the division operations officer, deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. His most recent assignment was the Chief, Legislative Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Army.
General Winski also praised the soldiers gathered on the field. “As you know our mission is to be ready and my commitment to you is just that. Whenever and where ever the 101st is called the units we commit for whatever mission comes our way will be trained and ready for what awaits them. One of the many hallmarks of this great division is our ranks are filled with lethal, fit, disciplined, adaptive soldiers,” Winski said.