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.
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.
CW5 Ryan W. Dechent
Command Chief Warrant Officer
CW5 Ryan Dechent was raised in Elmira, Oregon. He joined the Army in October 2000. He attended Basic Training at Fort Benning, GA and attended Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, AL followed by flight school. He earned his wings July 2001 and completed CH-47D AQC October 2002.
CW5 Dechent completed the CH-47D Instructor Pilot Course in August 2005 and has served in numerous standardization positions in Army Aviation, including Company IP/IE, Company SP, DES SP, DES Cargo Branch Chief, Battalion SP, TF SWOA, Brigade SP, and as the DES Standardization Officer.
His combat deployments and operations include Operation Iraq Freedom 2003 and 2006, Operation Enduring Freedom 2009, 2011, and Operation Freedom Sentinel 2019. His two humanitarian aid operations were for Hurricane Harvey (Houston, TX) and Hurricane Maria (Puerto Rico) 2017.
CW5 Dechent’s assignments include 7-101, Fort Campbell, KY; Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization (DES), Fort Rucker, AL; 2-501 GSAB, Fort Bliss, TX; 1 AD CAB, Fort Bliss, TX Directorate of Evaluation and Standardization (DES), Fort Rucker, AL, and currently as the 3rd CAB CCWO, Hunter AAF, GA.
CW5 Dechent’s Military Education includes Warrant Officer Basic Course (WOBC), CH-47D/F Instructor Pilot Course, Rotary Wing Instrument Flight Examiner Course, Warrant Officer Advance Course (WOAC), Warrant Officer Senior Course (WOSC), and Warrant Officer Senior Service Education (WOSSE). His civilian education includes a Bachelor's Degree in Military Studies and Military History from Ashford University and an Associate's Degree in Aeronautical Studies from Lane Community College.
CW5 Dechent’s awards and decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal (2 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (2 OLC), Air Medal (6 numerals), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (4 CS), Iraqi Campaign Medal (4 CS), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service medal (1 numeral), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas service Ribbon (5 numerals), NATO Medal, Combat Action Badge, Master Aviator Badge, Air Assault Badge. Additionally, CW5 Dechent is the recipient of The Order of Saint Michael (Silver) and the recipient of the Order of the Daedalians 2019 Army Exceptional Aviator Award.