New aviation commander touches down at Soto Cano
By Senior Airman Shaun Emery, Joint Task Force-Bravo public affairs
/ Published June 26, 2007
SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras --
The 1st Battalion 228th Aviation Regiment here held its change of command ceremony June 26, the final major supporting command leadership change this month.
Army Lt. Col. Todd Conyers assumed command from Army Lt. Col. Howard Arey during the ceremony on the Soto Cano Air Base flight line.
Colonel Conyers arrived from MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., where he served as an aviation maintenance and joint operation officer at the U.S. Special Operations Command.
"I'm looking forward to spending the next year here," said Colonel Conyers. "Every soldier I've met here is proud to be here. They love their job and they love their battalion. I want to take the battalion forward, have a safe year and see everyone return safely to their families."
Colonel Conyers was commissioned as an aviation officer in 1987. He holds a bachelor's degree in education from Albany State University.
Colonel Conyers awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Senior Army Aviation Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.
Colonel Arey departs Soto Cano AB and is being assigned to the Pentagon in Washington D.C.
The 1-228th AVN conducts general support aviation operations in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility. The 1-228th AVN routinely conducts missions in support of counter-narcotics operations, aero-medical evacuation, humanitarian assistance and distinguished visitor air movement in the Joint Task Force-Bravo assigned geographic area.
As the only Theater Army Aviation unit, the 1-228th AVN is responsible for the command and control of organic and attached Army aviation in the SOUTHCOM region.