Nicholson hands over command of 1-223rd to Marshburn

The city of Daleville's partnership unit, the 1st Battalion, 223rd Aviation Regiment said goodbye to one commander and welcomed a new one July 10. 

Lt. Col. Demetrios J. Nicholson, outgoing commander of the 1st Battalion, 223rd Aviation Regiment, transferred all controls and leadership of the "Spartans" to Lt. Col. Todd H. Marshburn in a traditional change of command ceremony at Howze Field. 

Hundreds of family, friends and members of the community were on hand at the event, including Daleville Mayor Claudia Wigglesworth and members of the Daleville Chamber of Commerce, to congratulate Marshburn and show their support for Nicholson. 

For the past two years Nicholson has been at the helm of the 1-223rd working closely with city leaders as he and the soldiers have assisted with a variety of community events.

"The Spartans, led by Lt. Col. Nicholson, have consistently had a 'can do' attitude," Wigglesworth said. "The support is invaluable as the Spartans helped to make the Daleville (ChoctawPoochie) Dog Park a reality. The unit also has helped and participated in the annual Christmas parade, Chamber of Commerce poker run and supported the Daleville Lions Club food drive."

To bid farewell to Nicholson and to wish him well on his next journey, the Daleville Chamber of Commerce members and Wigglesworth presented Nicholson with a gift certificate and a picture slideshow CD, which commemorated Nicholson's time with the city. 

Nicholson also expressed his gratitude and thanked the city and its residents for the support, friendship and hospitality they have shown the Spartans.

"We work really closely with the chamber of commerce and (the city of) Daleville, and it's just a great relationship," he said. "They help us out with our soldiers and we help them out in the community. Daleville is a great town and the support from the ladies at the chamber and the mayor makes things easier. I think Army units are stronger when local communities support them."

Col. Kevin J. Christensen, commander of the 110th Aviation Brigade, said the relationship between Daleville and the 1-223rd "is a model for all military and host communities to emulate."

Christensen said Nicholson is a natural team leader and builder, which would explain the success of the unit.

"He commanded with distinction the most diverse battalion in the 110th Aviation Brigade," he said. "Demetri built a team of aviation professionals with URS for the common core initial rotary wing training, flight safety international for fixed wing training that simply is unmatched in any unit, any service, and I dare say anywhere in the world."

Under Nicholson's leadership, Christensen said the battalion became the strongest and most cohesive Family Readiness Group within the 110th Aviation Brigade, set up the first MI-17 training program at Fort Rucker and was recently recognized by the Army with the Ellis D. Parker Award for the Top Aviation Battalion Table of Distributions and Allowances. 

The U.S. Army Air Ambulance Detachment known as “Flatiron” also operates under the 1-223rd and has saved dozens of soldiers and civilian lives throughout lower Alabama and the Ranger training facility in Dahlonega, Ga.

Christensen said Nicholson and his unit have made a "lasting impact on Army Aviation."

However, Nicholson isn't going far. His next assignment will be at Fort Rucker as the Deputy Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence.

Nicholson said he is going to miss working with his soldiers, but he looks forward to his new job and staying on Fort Rucker. 

"I like every job I go to," he said. "I'm staying here at Fort Rucker, and I look forward to the new things I get to learn at the new job." 

Marshburn, former professor of Military Science at Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, said he too looks forward to the new job and is proud to now call himself a Spartan.

“It’s been a dream of mine since I was in flight school many years ago (to be the commander of) this particular battalion because it’s the start of flight school (and) it’s so diverse, ” he said.  “It’s got a lot of missions that I’ve done in my career, and it was just an opportunity to see Fort Rucker from many different angles.”

Marshburn said he’s excited, but for now he’s going to take things slow while he learns the ropes.

“I’m going to see the things that I need to know about, take my time and get a sense of where the aviation branch is going,” he said. “We’ll make changes as we need to. Lt. Col. Nicholson did a fantastic job. He gave me an organization that was top notch already. I’m just looking forward to seeing where we need to go from here.”

Marshburn has one son, Jace, 10.

Nicholson said Marshburn already has a great reputation and his only advice to him is to have fun because everything else will just fall into place.

“He's a great Army leader, and he'll do great things,” Nicholson said. “You always just want your unit to succeed. It was a great unit before I took them, and it will be afterwards.