US Army European Air Defence Artillery Brigade Gets New Boss

In a ceremonial change of command on August 1, U.S. Army Col. Bruce Bredlow handed over the reins of the 52D Air Defense Artillery Brigade (ADA BDE) to U.S. Army Col. Hailey Bairu.

Col. Bredlow expressed his heartfelt thoughts about his time with the brigade, saying: "I am grateful for having been a part of such a tremendous team of American soldiers and their families over the past two years. This brigade is very special to me, and I’m so excited to hand it off to my friend, Hailey Bairu."

The 52D ADA BDE continues to be at the forefront of advancing joint and combined operations within the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) framework. Under Col. Bairu's leadership, the brigade will remain dedicated to developing interoperability across all layers of its multinational IAMD fabric.

The 52D ADA BDE is unique in the Army in being equipped with three different weapon systems: the Avenger, SGT Stout (previously known as the Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense, or M-SHORAD), and Patriot. The brigade carries out two forward missions — one in Africa, and the other concentrated on Europe’s eastern flank.

Col. Bairu's assumption of command marks a continuation of excellence for the 52D ADA BDE. His leadership is expected to drive forward the brigade’s mission and vision, ensuring that it remains a critical component of the Army's air and missile defense strategy.

When asked why he serves, Bairu answered: "I got addicted to witnessing those who have worked with me and for me succeeding within the Army's legacy."

Read the full release on the US Army website