Army National Guard unit changing commanders in Tennessee

February 4, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. | Updated February 4, 2021 at 2:44 p.m.

by Associated Press

Tennessee National Guard troops prepare to board a plane in Smyrna, Tenn., to go to Washington, Thursday, June 4, 2020. They are being sent to help with security during protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died while being restrained by police in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee National Guard troops prepare to board a plane in Smyrna, Tenn., to go to Washington, Thursday, June 4, 2020. They are being sent to help with security during protests over the death of George Floyd, a black man who died while being restrained by police in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - An Army National Guard unit is changing commanders in Tennessee.

Col. John "Brad" Bowlin of Greeneville, commander of the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, is relinquishing command to Lt. Col. Steven Turner of Oak Ridge. A change of command ceremony is scheduled for noon Sunday at Knoxville's West High School football field, the guard said in a news release.

As commander since 2019, Bowlin facilitated tornado relief efforts last year, provided support for statewide COVID-19 testing and led the 278th in civil disturbance response in Tennessee and Washington, the guard said.

Turner is currently executive officer for the 278th and has more than 31 years of military experience and commissioned as an armor officer in 1997 at the University of Tennessee. He will be promoted to colonel prior to the change of command.

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