Thursday, July 12, 2007

Prime Power Battalion switches command

Lt. Col. Andrew Backus, outgoing commander 249th Engineer Battalion, Lt. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp, Chief of Engineers and Commander, USACE, and Lt. Col. Paul Olsen, incoming commander 249th Engineer Battalion salute the flag during the change of command ceremony Wednesday at the Fort Belvoir amphitheater. (Photo by Marny Malin)

The Army’s only electrical power distribution battalion welcomed a new commander at a ceremony Wednesday.

Three-tour 249th Engineer Battalion veteran Lt. Col. Andrew Backus relinquished command of the battalion to Lt. Col. Paul Olsen.

“I took the opportunity during a hail and farewell last night to personally thank all the officers, NCOs and civilians of the Black Lion Battalion and the Prime Power School for their very significant contributions and support of me over the last two years. They are a remarkable group and I am truly privileged to have been trusted to be their commander.” said Backus.

Backus’ next job is at the Pentagon in the Senior Leader Development office as a human resources manager to engineer, military police and chemical corps colonels.

“Our Soldiers are constantly deployed and, so forth, and I would just like to say ëthanks’ to their families and my family-they are the unsung heroes. Their contributions are immeasurable,” said Backus.

During Backus’ command, the unit supported recovery from hurricanes Rita and Katrina, Prime Power Soldiers installed more than 500 generators and conducted more than 2,000 electrical inspections, in what turned out to be the battalion’s largest deployment in its 13-year history.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, Soldiers have also constantly been deployed in support of the Global War on Terror, supporting base camp power in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I’ve just relearned the key to any organization is its people,” Backus said. “Good leadership of people is the most effective way to accomplish the mission.”

During his tenure with the battalion, Backus worked to make several changes. “I had the unique opportunity to utilize a base of experience when I hit the ground running and make several changes I think will positively impact the Soldiers in the long term,” he said.

Backus’ first initiative was a unit re-stationing, as part the Army Stationing of the 249th from nine global locations to four. This change significantly improved the battalion’s efficiency and effectiveness while also stabilizing families, he said.

Secondly, Backus initiated a Force Design Update within the battalion to restructure the unit and he fought for funding for the Prime Power Generator Program, which supports disaster relief and the National Response Plan.

Lastly, he changed the way captains are trained within the battalion by ensuring they get Prime Power experience before they assume company commander roles to better prepare them as battalion leaders.

Olsen will serve his second tour of duty with the 249th Engineers - from 2004 to 2005 he served as an operations officer.

“I am extremely enthused to be returning to a battalion where, during my previous assignment, I was continuously impressed by the Soldiers’ technical expertise, courage in the face of a barbaric enemy and innovativeness following nature’s wrath-which, at that time, included four hurricanes in the southeast United States and a tsunami in the Pacific,” said Olsen.

“Finally, to all my friends and colleagues gathered here today, I share today with you and with everyone who supported me along the way. As I lead these fine Soldiers, I will never forget that this is not my battalion, nor is it the battalion of us that wear the uniform of the United States Army. Rather, this is your battalion, this is your Army’s prime power battalion!”

Olsen’s most recent assignment was in Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Olsen was commissioned in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers upon graduation from the University of Wisconsin. He has held leadership positions in mechanized and combat heavy engineer units in Europe, the Middle East and the U.S.

He has a Master of Science degree in civil and infrastructure engineering from George Mason University and a Master of Arts degree in business management from Webster University. Olsen is also a registered professional engineer in Virginia.

He has also completed the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and is a graduate of the French Army Engineer Advanced Course.

“These Soldiers are, to steal a contemporary Army phrase, modern-day pentathletes,” said Olsen.

Editor’s note: Genevieve V. Billia, public affairs specialist contributed to this article.