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COL Robert (Rob) Harless          

Brigade Commander

COL Robert B. Harless is from Fort Campbell, KY. He graduated from Austin Peay State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and was commissioned as a 2LT in the United States Army Aviation branch.

In 2003, he attended the Officer Basic Course and the Army Flight School at Fort Rucker, AL., where he qualified to fly the CH-47D heavy lift helicopter. COL Harless’ first assignment was with the 6th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), at Fort Campbell, KY, where he deployed in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from September 2005 to 2006.

In 2007, COL Harless was assessed and selected for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) (Airborne) as an MH-47G pilot. He served as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Fully Mission Qualified Pilot-In-Command for 3/160th SOAR (Abn), Hunter Army Airfield, GA. During his initial assignment with the Night Stalkers, he deployed numerous times to support Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

In 2012, COL Harless attended the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS. Whereupon completion, COL Harless returned to 3/160th SOAR (Abn), where he served as the Battalion Operations Officer, Bravo Company Commander, and Battalion Executive Officer. While assigned to the 3/160th SOAR, he deployed numerous times as the Army Special Operations Aviation (ARSOA) Task Force Commander.

In 2017, the Department of the Army selected COL Harless to participate in the Command and General Staff College Interagency Fellowship assigned to the Federal Aviation Administration, where he served as a Military Special Assistant in Washington D.C. Upon completing his fellowship, COL Harless transitioned to the Pentagon, serving on the Army staff within the G-3/5/7 Special Operations Division as the Policy and Forces Branch Chief.

In December 2019, COL Harless was selected to command 2nd Battalion, 160th SOAR (Abn) at Fort Campbell, KY, and subsequently took command of the Darkhorse Battalion in July 2020. In the spring of 2022, COL Harless was selected to attend the National War College in Fort McNair, Washington D.C., and graduated with a master’s degree in National Security Strategy in June 2023. After school, COL Harless was selected to serve as the Deputy Commander for 1st JSOAC at Fort Liberty, NC.

COL Harless is a Master Army Aviator and is authorized to wear the Combat Action Badge, Airborne Badge, and Air Assault Badge. He has been awarded two Bronze Stars, three Meritorious Service Medals, and two Air Medals.

 

 

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CSM Jennifer A. Lord

Brigade Command Sergeant Major

Command Sergeant Major Jennifer A. Lord enlisted into the United States Army 19 August 2004, a native of Lake City, Minnesota, she attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, SC and graduated from the Aviation Operations Specialist (15P) Course in Fort Novosel, AL.

Her assignments include:  2-17th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Campbell, KY with deployments to Iraq, OIF (2006) and Afghanistan, OEF (2008); Drill Sergeant, 1_61st Infantry Regiment, Fort Jackson, SC; Senior AVN OPS, 3-159th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, Illesheim, Germany with deployments to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, OSS (2012) and Iraq, OIR (2014); 15P Senior Leader Course Instructor, Operations Branch Chief/First Sergeant, and Deputy Commandant of the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Fort Rucker, AL; First Sergeant, HHC, 2_82nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC; First Sergeant, D Co, 2_82nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, Fort Bragg, NC; 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade Operations Sergeant Major, Fort Bragg, NC; Command Sergeant Major of the 2-82nd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Liberty, NC with a deployment to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, OSS & OIR (2024).

CSM Lord’s military education includes the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Courses culminating in the Sergeants Major Course (class 71) via distance learning Class 47, Senior Small Group Instructor training, Battle Staff, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response Prevention (SHARP)/Victim Advocate Training, Drill Sergeant School, Master Fitness Training Course, and Master Resiliency Training Course.

Her awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3rd Award), Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5th award), Army Achievement Medal (8th award), Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal (two service stars), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (one service star), Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal (one service star), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (Numeral 4), NATO Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award). She has also been awarded the Drill Sergeant Identification Badge, Master Aviation Badge, Basic Army Instructor Badge, and The Honorable Order of Saint Michael (Bronze Medallion). She is a graduate of the University of Maryland-University College with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies, an undergraduate certificate in Leadership and Workforce Development and an associate’s degree in general studies.

 

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CW5 Antaner Carbajal

Command Chief Warrant Officer 

CW5 Antaner Carbajal was raised in Sun Valley, California. He joined the Army in July 1997 as a Cavalry Scout and attended One Station Unit Training. In October 2005, he attended Warrant Officer Candidate School, followed by Army flight training at Fort Rucker, AL, and the AH-64D Flight School XXI Course. He earned his Army Aviator wings in July 2007.
 
CW5 Carbajal completed the AH-64D Instructor Pilot Course in December 2010 and has served in numerous standardization positions throughout Army Aviation, including Company Instructor Pilot, Company Senior Instructor Pilot and Instrument Examiner, Battalion and Brigade Master Gunner, Battalion Standardization Pilot, and Senior Warrant Officer Advisor. In 2018, he challenged the OH-58 Instructor Pilot Course and became a Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization (DES)-designated Standardization Pilot.
 
His combat deployments and operations include Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 and 2005 and Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011 and 2013. He also participated in Foal Eagle in 2008 and 2009, Saber Strike in 2018, and Allied Spirit in 2019 and 2020.
 
CW5 Carbajal’s assignments include 4-2 ARB, Camp Humphreys, Korea; 1-227th ARB, Fort Hood, TX; Operations Group, Eagle Team, Fort Irwin, CA; 1-3 AB, Katterbach AAF, Germany; 301 Squadron and Defense Helicopter Command with the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Netherlands; and 3rd CAB, Hunter AAF, GA, where he served as the Brigade Master Gunner.
 
His military education includes the Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC), Joint Firepower Course, AH-64 Instructor Pilot Course, Warrant Officer Advanced Course (WOAC), Rotary Wing Instrument Flight Examiner Course, High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, Aviation Master Gunner Course, Warrant Officer Intermediate Level Education (WOILE), Warrant Officer Senior Service Education (WOSSE), Defense Language Institute Dutch Language Course, NATO Allied Combined Operations TACEVAL Evaluator Course, and the Brigade  Pre-Command Course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. His civilian education includes certifications in Supply Chain and Logistics Management and an associate’s degree in Aeronautical Studies, both from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
 
CW5 Carbajal’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4 OLC), Air Medal (4 numerals), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (2 Knots), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (4 CS), Iraq Campaign Medal (4 CS), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3 numerals), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (7 numerals), NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, and Master Army Aviator Badge. Additionally, CW5 Carbajal is a recipient of the Order of Saint Michael (Bronze) and is a Sergeant Audie Murphy Club inductee.