Baker Takes Command Of Army Aviation Center of Excellence

FORT RUCKER, Ala. — The Fort Rucker, Army Aviation and Wiregrass communities welcomed Maj. Gen. Phillip C. Baker as the incoming U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commander and bid farewell to outgoing commander Maj. Gen. Clair Gill during a change of command ceremony at the Army Aviation Museum Aug. 26, 2026.

Ceremony host Lt. Gen. James P. Isenhower III, commanding general of U.S. Army Combined Arms Command and Fort Leavenworth commander, welcomed attendees following the ceremonial passing of the colors.

Isenhower reflected on his first introduction to Fort Rucker at age 5 and his connection to the installation as an Army child. His formative memories of helicopter flyovers, he said, helped shape who he became as an Army leader.

He expressed his gratitude for all Gill contributed during his tenure as the AVCOE commander and for his efforts to build on the legacy of Army Aviation.

“In his two years, over 21,000 Soldiers trained across the aviation spectrum,” Isenhower said. “Flying 30% of the Army’s flight hours with just 13% of its fleet. He managed the Army’s Aviation Transformation Initiative, led us to Flight School Next, which will increase flight hours by 50% and deliver more capable and competent pilots. Clair led integration efforts by creating the 15X tactical UAS specialist MOS, launched mark teams, built the UAS Advanced Lethality Course and hosted the very first Army Best Drone Warfighter Competition. All the while championing the Cheyenne.”

Isenhower said those accomplishments were made possible by the team surrounding Gill, but noted that none would have been possible without Gill’s vision, expertise and leadership.

He described Gill’s work at Fort Rucker as “legendary” before welcoming the Baker family back to the installation.

“Courtney, the girls and I are extremely excited to be back in Alabama,” Baker said. “But I have assessed something unfortunate in my first weeks back here. There is a divide in this community. I must say, as I take command, I must freely and loudly tell you … War Eagle!”

The room erupted in laughter, followed by several “Roll Tide” responses, as Baker acknowledged his family’s deep connections to Auburn. Baker recognized Gill for his accomplishments during his command and said he looked forward to continuing to move Army Aviation toward the future fight while restoring and strengthening the aviation culture at Fort Rucker and across the branch.

“We wear wings on our chest that represent a lot more than flight pay,” Baker said. “Those wings represent a standard, they represent a professionalism, they represent competence, and most importantly, they represent the grit and determination required to win on the battlefield.”

Baker thanked Gill for his leadership.“You have taught me more than you possibly know, and I look forward to picking up the wings and moving forward with this branch,” Baker said.

Gill reflected on the people and places that shaped his Army career, the families who carried the weight of military service and the Wiregrass community that embraced the Army as its own.

“I am a grateful Soldier this evening,” Gill said.

Gill said he was grateful for the opportunity to lead the mission, serve alongside an “incredible team of patriots” and know Army Aviation was in capable hands as Baker assumed command.

For Gill, Fort Rucker was more than the next assignment. He first served there as a flight student in 1994 and returned decades later as the installation’s commanding general.

“It was just as special in 2026 as it was in 1994,” Gill said.

Among those attending the ceremony was Floyd Emory, Gill’s primary instructor pilot and a Vietnam veteran who helped launch Gill’s Army Aviation career. Gill joked that while he once thought Emory was “old as dirt,” he now looked younger than he did in 1994.

“Floyd, thanks for teaching me what right looked like as I began my Army journey,” Gill said.

Fort Rucker also gave Gill one of the most important relationships of his life. He met his wife, Fran, there in 1998. Gill credited her with helping make his Army career possible, describing her as a healer, leader, friend and the “social hummingbird” of Team Gill.

“She keeps me grounded when my crazy ideas try to take flight,” Gill said.

Gill also recognized their son, Josh, who has grown up as an Army child and learned to adapt to each new assignment and community.

“We’re super proud of how you’ve adapted from Army brat to young man who thrives everywhere he’s placed,” Gill said.

Gill said the Army has given his family far more than duty stations. It has given them friendships that became family. He spoke proudly of his parents, Clair and Sherry Gill, whose Army service continues to connect him with people around the world, as well as the friends and teammates he has met throughout his career.

“This is the Army and nation I love,” Gill said. “We feel like we won the lottery when we think about our wonderful friendships with all of you.” Gill also reflected on the transformation taking place across Army Aviation.

The branch has expanded training focused on fundamentals and war-fighting, increased its focus on unmanned and autonomous systems and broadened its role beyond traditional vertical lift. Gill said the Army must continue looking forward rather than dwelling on the past.

“Let’s not get caught driving with our focus in the rear-view mirror,” he said.

But transformation, he said, does not mean forgetting the people who built Army Aviation.

Today’s aviators stand on the shoulders of the Soldiers who pioneered flight in the Army’s third dimension. The aircraft may have changed, Gill said, but the difference has always been the Soldier in the cockpit.

“That’s the Army Aviation difference,” he said.

That difference is embraced beyond the gates of Fort Rucker. Gill thanked the Wiregrass communities of New Brockton, Pinckard, Newton, Dothan, Ozark, Daleville and Enterprise for supporting Soldiers and families and embracing the aircraft that fill the skies above their homes.

He also remembered those who paid the ultimate price. Gill spoke of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daniel Munger, a flight instructor killed in an Apache crash just two weeks after Gill arrived at Fort Rucker while training the next generation of aviators.

He thanked the community for the way it surrounded the Munger family during that difficult time. “The Wiregrass is just special,” Gill said.

In closing, Gill thanked the Soldiers, civilians, contractors, industry partners, command teams and families who made the mission possible before turning his attention toward the future.

Gill said Baker already understands the mission, having worked closely with the organization as the Army advanced future vertical lift capabilities.

He expressed confidence in Baker and his wife, Courtney, as they take on the responsibility of leading Army Aviation and the Fort Rucker community.

“Cain, congrats! I’ll be cheering for you and the branch,” Gill said. “Fran and I wish you and Courtney all the best as you lead this great team over the coming years. Welcome home.”

Maj. Gen. Clair A. Gill will now move on to his next assignment and promotion to Lt. Gen. as Deputy Commander, U.S. Southern Command, Doral, Florida.

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