When Brigadier Damian Bushell arrived at 13th Brigade ready to take command, he found a brigade immensely proud of its history and people full of energy ready to achieve their mission.
The military police officer formally took over command of the Western Australian Brigade during a transfer-of-authority parade at Irwin Barracks in the Perth suburb of Karrakatta.
While touring the brigade's units, he was struck by the decades of service and sacrifice devoted by so many across some of Australia's most significant conflicts.
"Our units have numerous battle honours dating back to the First World War, and having myself recently visited Villers-Bretonneux, the significance of this history is not lost on me," Brig Bushell said.
"As we move forward to achieve our mission, it's mightily important that I take the time to recognise the distinguished history of this brigade.
"What I've found since I've been here is a place in which people are proud of the job they do, and full of energy and optimism ready to build on several years of really positive momentum."
13th Brigade has undergone a sustained period of transformation since the turn of the decade. It has raised a bilateral training relationship with India, reconnected with the local community and established a security response task unit.
"When I met with the soldiers during my tour of the units, they spoke of these achievements with pride and humility but also in a manner which made it clear to me that they're eager to build on these," Brig Bushell said.
"We have a very clearly defined mission under the 2nd Division, and what was obvious to me is that this clarity and sense of purpose is inspiring the soldiers of 13th Brigade to be the best they can be."
At the parade, Commander 2nd (Australian) Division, Major General Matthew Burr, acknowledged outgoing acting Commander 13th Brigade Colonel Anthony Cattai for providing strong leadership and keeping the brigade firmly on task during the transition period.
The hybrid part-time/full-time combat brigade is based at Irwin Barracks with soldiers stationed across the state.
