FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         July 28, 2010

No. 10-067

 

287th Special Troops Bn to change command

 

The Kansas Army National Guard's 287^th Special Troops Battalion will have a change of command ceremony on Aug. 8, 2010.  Lt. Col. Tony Divish will hand over command to Lt. Col. Matt Bedwell.

The ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. in Hangar 600 at the Salina Airport, 2720 Arnold Court, Salina, Kan.

The 287^th Special Troops Battalion is headquartered in Hays with subordinate companies located in Wichita, Norton, Smith Center and Great Bend.

"I appreciate the opportunity to lead the outstanding Soldiers of the 287^th Special Troops Battalion, many having returned from a deployment to Iraq just last year," said Bedwell. "We will continue to maintain the high standards of this organization, and build upon the record of successes achieved by this proud group of combat logisticians."

"It was an honor to lead this battalion in war and in peace," said Divish.  "I will always be proud of the accomplishments of the 287th Special Troops Battalion, and will continue to follow the successes of these fine Soldiers in the years to come."

Lt. Col. Matthew Bedwell

Lt. Col. Matthew J. Bedwell enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as a cannon crewman in December 1984.  He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in field artillery on Dec. 18, 1987.  Key assignments include construction platoon leader in Company B, 203^rd Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy); detachment commander for Company B, 169^th Forward Support Battalion; commander of Company A, 169^th Forward Support Battalion; and support operations officer for the 169^th Corps Support Battalion.  Bedwell deployed to Iraq in 2005 as the executive officer of the 169^th Corps Support Battalion.  In April 2010, he returned home from a second deployment, this time to southern Afghanistan as the deputy commander advisor for the 205^th Coalition Mentor Team.

Among Bedwell's many awards and decorations are the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Non-Article 5 NATO (ISAF) Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Parachutist Badge.

Bedwell has a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology from Missouri State University.  His military education includes the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Quartermaster Officer Advance Course, Combined Arms and Services Staff School and Command and General Staff College. 

Bedwell is the full-time Logistics Management Officer for the director of Logistics, Kansas Army National Guard.  His wife, Dana, is the district chairperson for Health and Physical Education in the Grandview, Mo., School District.  They have two boys, Joe and Nick.

 

Lt. Col. Tony Divish

Lt. Col. Tony Divish enlisted in the Kansas Army National Guard in 1985 as a tank mechanic in Company A, 1^st Battalion, 635th Armor.  After his commissioning, he served in various positions with the unit including platoon leader and executive officer.  He has been assigned many different positions in the Kansas National Guard throughout his 25 year career.  These assignments include supply platoon leader, detachment officer in charge and maintenance control officer, 714th Maintenance Company; maintenance officer, 169th Corps Support Battalion; maintenance officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 174th Ordnance Battalion; commander, 170th Maintenance Company; commander/senior tactical and logistics officer, 1^st Battalion, 235th Regiment; logistics officer and assistant operations officer, Headquarters, 235th Regiment; deputy commander, 287th Sustainment Brigade; and battalion commander, 287th Special Troops Battalion.

Among Divish's many awards and decorations are the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon and the Parachutist Badge. 

Divish's military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Officer Advanced Course, Combined Armed Services Staff School and the Command and General Staff College. He is presently attending the Army War College Distance Learning Program. He is the Surface Maintenance Manager, Joint Forces Headquarters Kansas - Land Component, Topeka.

Divish and his wife, Christine, have two children, Olivia and Tyler.