HARRISBURG, Pa. — Seven former commanders of the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade joined current commander, Col. Howard Lloyd, and 28th ECAB Soldiers during their 60th annual Aviation Ball at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey, April 27, 2019.
Photo By Travis Mueller | Former commanders of the 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, from left, retired Maj. Gen Walter Stewart, retired Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright, retired Col. John Stavovy, retired Col. Dan Berkebile, retired Col. Christopher Latchford, Brig. Gen. David Wood and retired Col. Dennis Sorensen pose for a photo with current commander, Col. Howard Lloyd, right, at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey during the 28th ECAB’s 60th annual Aviation Ball, April 27, 2019. (Courtesy photo by Col. Howard Lloyd)
Retired Maj. Gen. Walter Stewart, the commander who led the unit in its first years as a full brigade, was in attendance. He was the brigade commander when the 28th Aviation Brigade was officially organized on October 1, 1986 and served in that role until February of 1991.
Retired Maj. Gen. Jessica Wright was also in attendance. She was the brigade commander from March 1997 to November 1998 and eventually went on to serve as the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs and Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness.
Former brigade commanders also in attendance were:
Retired Col. John Stavovy, commander November 1998 – May 2002.
Retired Col. Dan Berkebile, commander May 2002 – September 2004.
Retired Col. Christopher Latchford, commander September 2004 – September 2007.
Brig. Gen. David Wood, commander December 2010 – December 2013. Wood currently serves as the director of the joint staff with Joint Force Headquarters-Pennsylvania National Guard.
Retired Col. Dennis Sorensen, commander from September 2014 to April 2017.
The theme of the ball was “Modern Era of the 28th ECAB.” Attendees learned about the brigade from its organization in 1986 to the present. Those former commanders in attendance led the brigade during many of those years.