Biography Commander Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VI Colonel Brian K. Balfe      Colonel Brian Kerry Balfe assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix VII in April 2008. His previous assignment was Brigade Commander, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.      Colonel Balfe was born in Cornwall, New York in 1960. He is a 1983 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. His first active duty assignment was the 24th Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he served as a Multiple Launch Rocket System Firing Platoon Leader, an 8-inch Cannon Battery Fire Direction Officer and the Composite Battalion Fire Direction Officer. From there he served as a Battalion Liaison Officer to the Republic of Korea Army and as a Battalion Logistics Officer in the 2nd Infantry Division, South Korea. His final active duty billet was as a Battalion Fire Support Officer in the 7th Infantry Division, Fort Ord, California.      Since joining the New York Army National Guard in October 1990, Colonel Balfe has held multiple leadership and command positions. These assignments include Battalion Fire Direction Officer, Battery Commander, Battalion Logistics Officer, Division Fire Support Officer, Division Fire Support Staff Officer, Battalion Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer. Colonel Balfe is a two-time Battalion Commander. In 1998, he was selected to command 2nd Battalion 108th Infantry, becoming the first Field Artillery Officer to command a New York Army National Guard infantry unit. Colonel Balfe went on to command 1st Battalion 156th Field Artillery (Light), which he deployed to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, LA in August of 2001. In October 2002, Colonel Balfe was selected as the Regimental Commander of the 106th Regiment, Regional Training Institute, at Camp Smith, New York. In April 2006, Colonel Balfe was selected as the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Commander.      Colonel Balfe is a graduate of the United States Army Airborne School, Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Multiple Launch Rocket System Cadre Course, TACFIRE Fire Support Course, Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Electronic Warfare Staff Officers Course, Senior Transportation Officer Qualification Course and the Infantry Pre-Command Course. Colonel Balfe is also a graduate of the United States Army War College where he received his Masters Degree in Strategic Studies.      Colonel Balfe’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze Star, Overseas Service Ribbon, and the Army Service Ribbon. Deputy Commander Biography Chief of Staff Biography Command Sergeant Major Biography