Col. Donald G. Fryc, incoming commander for 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, speaks during his June 25 change-of-command ceremony on Noel Parade Field. Photo by Stephen Baack.
Fryc assumes command of 6th ADA Bde.
Stephen Baack, Monitor Staff
To many in the unit, Col. Donald G. Fryc will have some big combat boots to fill as 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade’s new commander.
Fryc took over for the outgoing commander, Col. Ralph M. McGee, during a June 25 change-of-command ceremony on Noel Parade Field.
“Under Colonel McGee’s leadership and steady hand, this brigade has been recognized by (U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command) for everything from forward-thinking training concepts to top-notch troop preparation, and even environmental policies,” said Maj. Gen. Howard B. Bromberg, Fort Bliss commanding general.
“Their training was so impressive, it was recognized as the best in TRADOC, and that’s basically saying you’re the best in the Army,” Bromberg added.
Under McGee’s two-year watch, 6th ADA has undergone organizational restructuring, trained thousands of enlisted Soldiers, officers, warrant officers, Sailors and allied troops, and has led the way in new programs and exercises.
McGee oversaw the initiation of the Counter-Rocket and Mortar training program, which trains Army, Navy and NATO-allied units to perform the mission in theater. C-RAM cadre have trained more than 1,200 Soldiers, Sailors and British soldiers, and the training has resulted in more than 100 downrange intercepts.
Other changes include the first-ever advanced individual training quarterly Patriot live-fire exercise and periodic joint combined exercises, which are incorporated into the brigade’s more frequent field-training exercises. The Army also selected 6th ADA as the AIT site to pilot initial-entry training without drill sergeants.
“When you look at 6th Brigade’s accomplishments over the last two years, it’s apparent that Colonel McGee and his team have contributed vastly to air defense, Fort Bliss and also the Army,” Bromberg said.
This latest change of command may be the brigade’s last before the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School relocates to Fort Sill, Okla., scheduled during Fryc’s time as commander.
McGee is now set to move on as the assistant commandant for the ADA School. Luckily, he said he’s fully confident that if anyone can replace him, Fryc can.
“I want to tell Don and (his wife) Michelle that you are the right command team for this brigade,” McGee said. “I cannot tell you the peace of mind it gives me to turn the reins over to you, Don. The brigade is getting the best our Army and our nation have to offer. Your experience and leadership is exactly what our branch and our Army need.”
Fryc comes to 6th ADA from his role as the director for the office of the chief of Air Defense Artillery. Before that, he commanded the 2nd Battalion, 44th ADA, of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Ky., from May 2003 to November 2006 – 20 months of which he spent in Iraq.
“Major General Bromberg, Sir, thank you for the opportunity – indeed, the high honor and privilege – it will be to lead and serve the Soldiers, Sailors, allied partners and civilians that comprise the mighty 6th Brigade,” Fryc said during his speech.
Throughout his 25 years of service, Fryc has served in leadership, command and staff positions in units including the 82nd Airborne Div.’s 3rd Bn., 4th ADA, in Fort Bragg, N.C.; the 2nd Infantry Div.’s 2nd Bn., 61st ADA, in Korea; 62nd ADA, 25th ID, at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and the National Training Center Operations Group at Fort Irwin, Calif.
In addition to his completion of ADA Officer’s Basic and Advanced courses, Fryc is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College and Joint Firepower Control Course. He was also named top student during his stint at the Australian Centre for Defense and Strategic Studies and holds two master’s degrees.
Fryc’s military decorations include the Bronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with one Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and the Army Commendation Medal with V Device. Along with the Ranger Tab, Fryc proudly displays his Parachutist, Air Assault, Pathfinder and Combat Action badges.
His wife, Michelle, and their seven children, Joshua, Katrina, David, Esther, Paul, Julia and Jacob, have joined him here.
“Any two people who can raise seven children and can continue to support the Army lifestyle and all its demands for much greater than 20 years knows a whole lot about hard work and commitment,” Bromberg said of Fryc and his wife. “Leading a few thousand Soldiers on this field today would be pretty easy after the task that you’ve had.”