Fort Bliss Monitor

Jason Stadel

Capt. Joel Seppala, commander Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 1-7 ADA, leads his
battery during the pass in review.

1-7 ADA welcomes new commander

Spc. Jason Stadel
108th ADA Bde. Public Afffairs

June 28, at Fort Bliss’ Noel Field, Lt. Col. Brant Dayley relinquished command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery to Lt. Col. Eric Sanchez. Dayley had served as the battalion commander since June 2004. He will now move to the office of the chief of air defense artillery here.

Dayley thanked the Soldiers of his battalion for their hard work and dedication during his time in command for “giving me 150 percent every day.”

He also showed appreciation to his family for the support received from them over the past two years. Dayley said his wife, Nancy, and their three children are “the true patriots” for putting up with “the separation, the long hours, and my occasional bad temper.” However, they “supported me 100 percent.”

During his time in command, 1-7 ADA trained, and then rotated, more than 300 Soldiers (four batteries) to South Korea to become part of the 35th ADA Bde.

While Dayley was in command, Soldiers from 1-7 ADA also took part in training West Point cadets, assisted the Air Force during a Joint Red Flag exercise, and for two straight years received the Van Horn award from William Beaumont Army Medical Center for being the leading battalion in blood donations.

Dayley welcomed Sanchez into the “No Fear” Battalion.“The future of 1-7 ADA is bright, and focused on the future,” said Dayley. “Eric and Teresa Sanchez are our oldest Army friends. I can’t think of a finer command team to lead the No Fear battalion to the next level.”

By taking command of 1-7 ADA, Sanchez, who is married and has two children, is making a return trip to 108th ADA. Sanchez served as the brigade’s executive officer when the brigade deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was also a former battery commander in the brigade, and served as the executive and operations officers in 1-7 ADA’s sister battalion, 2nd Bn., 43rd ADA.

At his assignment prior to taking command of 1-7 ADA, Sanchez was the deputy chief for plans and exercises in the 94th Air and Missile Defense Command at Fort Shafter, Hawaii.

In his speech, Sanchez spoke to the Soldiers standing in front of him on the field.

“To the Soldiers of the No Fear battalion, I accept the responsibility and am honored to command the best Soldiers in the United States Army and lead the 1-7 team. It’s great to be back home in the 108th ADA Brigade and the XVIII Airborne Corps.”

Sanchez added that whenever called to action, the Soldiers of 1-7 ADA will be ready.

“As we continue to fight the global war on terrorism, there is much uncertainty in the world. One thing is certain, 1-7 will continue to train for the combat and be ready to deploy anywhere in the world if the nation calls.”



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 6, 2006

	Jason Stadel Capt. Joel Seppala, commander Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 1-7 ADA, leads his battery during the pass in review. 1-7 ADA welcomes new commander Spc. Jason Stadel 108th ADA Bde. Public Afffairs June 28, at Fort Bliss’ Noel Field, Lt. Col. Brant Dayley relinquished command of the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery to Lt. Col. Eric Sanchez. Dayley had served as the battalion commander since June 2004. He will now move to the office of the chief of air defense artillery here. Dayley thanked the Soldiers of his battalion for their hard work and dedication during his time in command for “giving me 150 percent every day.” He also showed appreciation to his family for the support received from them over the past two years. Dayley said his wife, Nancy, and their three children are “the true patriots” for putting up with “the separation, the long hours, and my occasional bad temper.” However, they “supported me 100 percent.” During his time in command, 1-7 ADA trained, and then rotated, more than 300 Soldiers (four batteries) to South Korea to become part of the 35th ADA Bde. While Dayley was in command, Soldiers from 1-7 ADA also took part in training West Point cadets, assisted the Air Force during a Joint Red Flag exercise, and for two straight years received the Van Horn award from William Beaumont Army Medical Center for being the leading battalion in blood donations. Dayley welcomed Sanchez into the “No Fear” Battalion.“The future of 1-7 ADA is bright, and focused on the future,” said Dayley. “Eric and Teresa Sanchez are our oldest Army friends. I can’t think of a finer command team to lead the No Fear battalion to the next level.” By taking command of 1-7 ADA, Sanchez, who is married and has two children, is making a return trip to 108th ADA. Sanchez served as the brigade’s executive officer when the brigade deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was also a former battery commander in the brigade, and served as the executive and operations officers in 1-7 ADA’s sister battalion, 2nd Bn., 43rd ADA. At his assignment prior to taking command of 1-7 ADA, Sanchez was the deputy chief for plans and exercises in the 94th Air and Missile Defense Command at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. In his speech, Sanchez spoke to the Soldiers standing in front of him on the field. “To the Soldiers of the No Fear battalion, I accept the responsibility and am honored to command the best Soldiers in the United States Army and lead the 1-7 team. It’s great to be back home in the 108th ADA Brigade and the XVIII Airborne Corps.” Sanchez added that whenever called to action, the Soldiers of 1-7 ADA will be ready. “As we continue to fight the global war on terrorism, there is much uncertainty in the world. One thing is certain, 1-7 will continue to train for the combat and be ready to deploy anywhere in the world if the nation calls.”