Transfer of command ceremony wraps up Afghanistan deployment for 322nd EN

The Transfer of Command ceremony

Soldiers from the Decorah-based 322nd Engineering Company were back in town over the weekend and held a ceremony that represented a milestone for the group.

A Transfer of Command ceremony Saturday afternoon marked the changing of the guard for the unit, with Cpt. Troy King handing over command of the unit to 1st Lt. Marc Helm of the Des Moines area.

In comments to the soldiers, King called his time as leader of the unit "a huge honor."  He said he knew he had been appointed to a special unit when people who had deployed to Iraq with the unit in 2005 and were still in the Army Reserves in 2011 fought to get deployed with the unit to Afghanistan.

King thanked the soldiers for their work, noting, "You made us look like rock starts when we left."  He also thanked the community of Decorah and especially Decorah HS principal Kim Sehppard for all their support.  "How great this town is!" said King.

(Left to right): Cpt. Troy King receives a plaque presented by 1st Sgt. Brian Losen of Hesper

Army Reserve Center manager Larry Hackman was among those recognized for their help with the deployment