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News Release

Historic 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Welcomes New Commander (Photo) - 09/13/26

CLACKAMAS, Ore. — The Oregon Army National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony Sept. 13 at Camp Withycombe.

Col. Eric Brenner assumed command of the brigade from Col. Paul Dyer during an outdoor ceremony on the Armed Forces Reserve Center parade field.

 

The change of command is a military tradition that formally transfers the authority and responsibility of a unit from one commander to another. The passing of the brigade colors symbolizes that transfer and represents the continuity of leadership, mission and responsibility for the soldiers assigned to the brigade.

 

The 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team carries a long military legacy rooted in the Pacific Northwest. Its lineage includes the 41st Infantry Division, whose soldiers served extensively in the Pacific during World War II. Today, the brigade remains one of the Oregon Army National Guard’s major commands, with soldiers and units across the state who have supported overseas deployments, domestic emergencies and other missions at home and abroad.

 

Dyer reflected on his time with the brigade and the relationships built throughout his career, describing the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team as more than a military organization.

 

“What this patch means, it’s family. It’s family to me,” Dyer said. “I look across here and I look out there and I see people that I choose to call family, and that’s a little different. There’s something special.”

 

Dyer also expressed confidence in Brenner, whom he has known for about 25 years, as he takes command of the brigade.

 

Brenner thanked Dyer for his leadership and said the work completed under Dyer’s command established a strong foundation for the brigade’s future.

 

“The work you’ve done over the brigade, it’s laid a foundation to grow and transform,” Brenner said. “Following in your footsteps will be a challenge, but a challenge that can be overcome with the outstanding officers, NCOs and soldiers out there before me.”

 

Brenner said he was grateful for the opportunity to once again wear the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s distinctive sunset patch and looked forward to working with the soldiers of the brigade.

“I look forward to working with you and meeting the challenges ahead,” Brenner said.

 

During the ceremony, Dyer was also presented the Meritorious Service Medal by Maj. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, adjutant general, Oregon, recognizing his service and accomplishments as brigade commander.

 

Released Photos:

 

7O2A1216 Passing of the brigade colors

Col. Paul Dyer, outgoing commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Col. Eric Brenner, incoming commander, participate in the passing of the brigade colors during a change of command ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, Sept. 13, 2026. The passing of the colors symbolizes the transfer of command authority and responsibility from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan)

 

7O2A1187 Brigade formation

Soldiers assigned to the Oregon Army National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, Sept. 13, 2026. Col. Eric Brenner assumed command of the brigade from Col. Paul Dyer during the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan)

 

7O2A1197 during the national anthem

Col. Eric Brenner, incoming commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, salutes during the national anthem at the brigade’s change of command ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, Sept. 13, 2026. Brenner assumed command of the brigade from Col. Paul Dyer during the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan)

 

7O2A1223 Meritorious Service Medal

Maj. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, adjutant general, Oregon, presents the Meritorious Service Medal to Col. Paul Dyer, outgoing commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, during a change of command ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, Sept. 13, 2026. Dyer relinquished command of the brigade to Col. Eric Brenner during the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan)

 

Attached Media Files: 7O2A1216, 7O2A1223, 7O2A1187, 7O2A1197,

Historic 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Welcomes New Commander (Photo) - 09/13/26

CLACKAMAS, Ore. — The Oregon Army National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony Sept. 13 at Camp Withycombe.

Col. Eric Brenner assumed command of the brigade from Col. Paul Dyer during an outdoor ceremony on the Armed Forces Reserve Center parade field.

 

The change of command is a military tradition that formally transfers the authority and responsibility of a unit from one commander to another. The passing of the brigade colors symbolizes that transfer and represents the continuity of leadership, mission and responsibility for the soldiers assigned to the brigade.

 

The 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team carries a long military legacy rooted in the Pacific Northwest. Its lineage includes the 41st Infantry Division, whose soldiers served extensively in the Pacific during World War II. Today, the brigade remains one of the Oregon Army National Guard’s major commands, with soldiers and units across the state who have supported overseas deployments, domestic emergencies and other missions at home and abroad.

 

Dyer reflected on his time with the brigade and the relationships built throughout his career, describing the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team as more than a military organization.

 

“What this patch means, it’s family. It’s family to me,” Dyer said. “I look across here and I look out there and I see people that I choose to call family, and that’s a little different. There’s something special.”

 

Dyer also expressed confidence in Brenner, whom he has known for about 25 years, as he takes command of the brigade.

 

Brenner thanked Dyer for his leadership and said the work completed under Dyer’s command established a strong foundation for the brigade’s future.

 

“The work you’ve done over the brigade, it’s laid a foundation to grow and transform,” Brenner said. “Following in your footsteps will be a challenge, but a challenge that can be overcome with the outstanding officers, NCOs and soldiers out there before me.”

 

Brenner said he was grateful for the opportunity to once again wear the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s distinctive sunset patch and looked forward to working with the soldiers of the brigade.

“I look forward to working with you and meeting the challenges ahead,” Brenner said.

 

During the ceremony, Dyer was also presented the Meritorious Service Medal by Maj. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, adjutant general, Oregon, recognizing his service and accomplishments as brigade commander.

 

Released Photos:

 

7O2A1216 Passing of the brigade colors

Col. Paul Dyer, outgoing commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Col. Eric Brenner, incoming commander, participate in the passing of the brigade colors during a change of command ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, Sept. 13, 2026. The passing of the colors symbolizes the transfer of command authority and responsibility from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan)

 

7O2A1187 Brigade formation

Soldiers assigned to the Oregon Army National Guard’s 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, Sept. 13, 2026. Col. Eric Brenner assumed command of the brigade from Col. Paul Dyer during the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan)

 

7O2A1197 during the national anthem

Col. Eric Brenner, incoming commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, salutes during the national anthem at the brigade’s change of command ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, Sept. 13, 2026. Brenner assumed command of the brigade from Col. Paul Dyer during the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan)

 

7O2A1223 Meritorious Service Medal

Maj. Gen. Alan R. Gronewold, adjutant general, Oregon, presents the Meritorious Service Medal to Col. Paul Dyer, outgoing commander of the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, during a change of command ceremony at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, Sept. 13, 2026. Dyer relinquished command of the brigade to Col. Eric Brenner during the ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Cory Grogan)

 

Attached Media Files: 7O2A1216, 7O2A1223, 7O2A1187, 7O2A1197,