The U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) will mark a pivotal leadership transition this week.
Friday, May 30, at 9:30 AM, a Change of Command Ceremony will be held at the Division Parade Field on Fort Campbell to welcome incoming Commanding General Maj. Gen. David Gardner, who will assume command from Maj. Gen. Brett Sylvia.
The ceremony is a time-honored military tradition in which the outgoing commander symbolically passes the unit’s colors to the presiding officer, who then hands them to the incoming commander—signifying the official transfer of authority.
Lt. Gen. Gregory K. Anderson, Commanding General of the XVIII Airborne Corps, will serve as the presiding officer.
Maj. Gen. Sylvia has led the division since July 2023. Under his leadership, the 101st pioneered new combat capabilities, including the development of the Large-Scale, Long-Range Air Assault (L2A2) initiative. The division also spearheaded the Army’s ‘Transformation in Contact’ efforts, aimed at preparing for future large-scale combat operations and influencing modernization across the force.
During Sylvia’s tenure, Screaming Eagle Soldiers were deployed on multiple missions across the globe—including disaster relief after Hurricane Helene, operations in the Middle East and Europe, and support of U.S. border security operations.
Incoming commander Maj. Gen. Gardner arrives from Fort Bragg, where he served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Training for U.S. Army Forces Command.
