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Video by Capt. Jennifer French

REMARKS: “The Rock” Welcomes New Commander During Change of Command Ceremony in Vicenza

173rd Airborne Brigade

June 11, 2025 | 10:32

U.S. Army paratroopers assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade watch as outgoing 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503rd Infantry Regiment commander Lt. Col. Sheldon E. Broedel and incoming commander Lt. Col. William T. Freakley deliver remarks during a change of command ceremony at Caserma Del Din in Vicenza, Italy, June 12, 2025. The ceremony marked the official transfer of leadership for “The Rock.”

The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army’s Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the U.S. European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility.

(U.S. Army video by Capt. Jennifer French)

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REMARKS: “The Rock” Welcomes New Commander During Change of Command Ceremony in Vicenza

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No sleigh required 🎅🏼Multiple nations. One drop zone. 448 paratroopers from the U.S., Hungary, Spain, the U.K., and the Netherlands jumped into Italy on Dec. 11 during a multinational airborne operation. U.S. Army 📸 by Sgt. Christopher Sanchez #Ready #Empowered #Disciplined https://t.co/HLAQbULY5i

U.S. Army 📸 by Sgt. Jose Lora #Ready #Empowered #Disciplined

#SkySoldiers 🪂 of 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment held a Change of Responsibility ceremony on Dec. 11, 2025, marking the transition of senior enlisted leadership from Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Valentine to Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Chapman. https://t.co/sxFB2jFRIC

“We will not be intimidated. We will not back down.” — SSgt. David Bellavia, Medal of Honor recipient In Croatia, 2-503rd Airborne Infantry Regiment "The Rock" #SkySoldiers 🪂 moved with purpose—aggressive, disciplined, and relentless U.S. Army video by Sgt. C. Jay Spence https://t.co/m2xeM0UZU0

RT @SETAF_Africa: #MotivationMonday | Discipline is the difference. #SkySoldiers 🪂 crushed the “Best Of” tryouts—one rep, one mile, one st…

Morale: HIGH. Temperature: LOW. Mariah Carey: EVERYWHERE🎙️ Vicenza didn’t choose the holiday life. The holiday life chose Vicenza🎅🏼 U.S. Army 🎥 by Capt. Jennifer French #HappyHolidays #Ready #Empowered #Disciplined #Airborne https://t.co/RSfqIQ77U5

Modern problems call for modern solutions. U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Austin Flaherty, a cyber warfare platoon leader with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, taught #SkySoldiers 🪂 how to operate the Dronebuster Block 4 at Caserma Ederle, Italy. U.S. Army 📸 by Capt. Jennifer French https://t.co/5bhDptK1Nj

Sky Soldiers learned new techniques and improved their confidence in combatives. U.S. Army 📸 by Sgt. Jose Lora #Ready #Empowered #Disciplined

“79” is the new “29.” What is your excuse? 🥋💪 Vietnam Veteran John Gorman dropped into Caserma Del Din to teach 173rd Airborne Brigade paratroopers some Brazilian jiu-jitsu on Nov. 19. Seventh-degree black belt. Coral belt. Professional reminder that age is just a number. https://t.co/AblMb3cBYE

#SkySoldiers 🪂 settled their annual #Thanksgiving 🦃 dispute the only way we know how—violence disguised as “friendly” competition. U.S. Army 📸 by Sgt. Joskanny Lua #Ready #Empowered #Disciplined #BeAllYouCanBe #InspireExcellence https://t.co/PT5MBZKTkQ

In the dust of North Macedonia… The King of the Herd stepped forward. Exercise Junction City was a reminder that when the call comes, #SkySoldiers 🪂 answer with firepower. U.S. Army 🎨 by Capt. Jennifer French 📸 by Sgt. Jose Lora #Ready #Empowered #Disciplined https://t.co/s3UqgO4pH7

When your Wi-Fi drops at home, you reset the router. When ours drops, 30 #SkySoldiers 🪂show up with a TAK server and two Starshield terminals. We are not the same. U.S. Army 📸 by Capt. Jennifer French #Ready #Empowered #Disciplined #TrainToWin #Army #AirborneInfantry https://t.co/d0ZEHVm36O

Ready. Set. Fight. 🥋🪂 #SkySoldiers 🪂 threw down on the mats during Rocktoberfest as paratroopers battled through combatives bouts for a chance to represent the The Herd at the U.S. Army’s Lacerda Cup. Only the toughest will move on. U.S. Army 📸 by Sgt. Jose Lora https://t.co/XN6fx6Xgoi

It’s good to be King of The Herd #SkySoldiers 🪂 of 4th Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment step into the fire. October 2025 | Exercise Junction City. Rounds loaded. Cannons roaring. U.S. Army 📸 by Sgt. Jose Lora #Ready #Empowered #Disciplined #SkySoldiers https://t.co/opbNUAJEOT

Retired Master Sgt. Niles Harris returned six decades later to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. There, he honored the 48 #SkySoldiers 🪂 who never came home after Operation Hump. Their sacrifice later inspired Big & Rich’s “8th of November.” @bigandrich | @USArmy | @101stAASLTDIV https://t.co/jaBCjaMXjR

#SkySoldiers honored St. Michael the Archangel, patron saint of paratroopers and police. 173rd Airborne Brigade commander Col. Mark E. Bush and Vicenza Police Chief Francesco Zerilli celebrated the courage and protection St. Michael represents for all who serve. https://t.co/kYh0ZQMVVc

@SETAF_Africa protocol specialist Bert Gillott shared his voice at the annual St. Michael’s Day ceremony in Vicenza 🇮🇹, joining Sky Soldiers, Carabinieri, veterans, and community members to pay tribute to Saint Michael the Archangel — patron saint of paratroopers and police. https://t.co/aQQEUr7T4I

1st Lt. Samuel Sharnas was among the 270 #SkySoldiers 🪂 who earned the Expert Soldier Badge this week at Grafenwöhr, Germany. From day one of testing to the final 12-mile ruck, paratroopers proved they have what it takes to wear the badge. U.S. Army 📸 by Pfc. Francisco Torres https://t.co/h7xgow2XOo

#SkySoldiers 🪂 are in the fight for the Expert Infantry and Expert Soldier Badge at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. Ready. Empowered. Disciplined. U.S. Army 🎥 by Thomas Dixon 🎞 by Sgt. Jose Lora 🎧 by Maiden’s Blood by Infected via https://t.co/nsqWpG5nOQ https://t.co/CHdi4DRxDQ

Mastering the CBRN lane during #E2B isn’t just about surviving the heat—it’s about proving paratroopers can protect themselves. U.S. Army 📽 by Sgt. Michael Westendorf 🎞 by Capt. Jennifer French 🎵 Noise by Deraj via MusicBed #SkySoldiers #CBRN #InspireExcellence https://t.co/aqUExlzXQ5

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173rd Airborne Brigade

OPC, Box 2 APO AE 09605

173rd ABN Public Affairs

DSN: 314-646-4212

Comm: +39-0444-66-4212

Email: jennifer.c.french2.mil@army.mil

Brigade Staff Duty

DSN: 314-646-3100/3322

Comm: +39-0444-66-3100/3322

1-503rd Staff Duty

DSN: 314-646-3800

Comm: +39-0444-71-3800

2-503rd Staff Duty

DSN: 314-646-4000

Comm: +39-0444-71-4000

1-91st Staff Duty

DSN: 314-569-3475

Comm: 0964-183-3475

From the US: 011-49-09641-83-3475

4-319th Staff Duty

DSN: 314-526-3305

Comm: 09641-83-3305

From the US: 011-49-9641-83-3305

173rd BSB Staff Duty

DSN: 314-646-3400

Comm: +39-0444-66-3400