US Border Patrol
U.S. Border Patrol Change of Command Ceremony
Chief Patrol Agent Brian S. Hastings takes command of the Buffalo Sector - August 2012
Grand Island, N.Y. On August 21, 2012, the U.S. Border Patrol, Buffalo Sector will conduct a change of command ceremony at the Niagara Falls Air Base Theater. This formal affair involves the swearing in of Chief Patrol Agent Brian S. Hastings as chief of the Buffalo Sector.
The change of command ceremony is deeply rooted in military tradition, dating back to the middle ages, and allows Border Patrol agents and members of the community to witness the transition of leadership that lays the foundation for the future.
As a part of the ceremony, the new chief assumes formal command of the sector by saying, Sir, I assume command. These four words are symbolic of a new beginning. For the new chief, the change of command ceremony heralds the beginning of a challenging tour of duty and for the sector employees it establishes new leadership paradigms and a revitalization of motivation and professionalism.
The ceremony concludes with the passing of the guidon, a flag that identifies a company, troop, or organization. Green and gold streamers that represent each of the 20 operational sectors of the Border Patrol surround the Border Patrol guidon. Passing the guidon from one chief to another is a symbolic passing of the trust and well-being of a sector from one to another but it also symbolizes the commitment, trust, and fidelity represented by this most sacred Border Patrol symbol.
It is an honor to be selected to lead and direct Border Patrol operations at Buffalo Sector, said Chief Patrol Agent Hastings. I am proud to represent a sector that has an outstanding reputation. I look forward to working with the agents of this sector and the surrounding community. Buffalo Sector is responsible for 341 miles of shared border with Canada. The sector consists of Sector headquarters on Grand Island and stations located in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Oswego, Rochester and Wellesley Island, N.Y. and Erie P.A. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
See Hastings and Grand Island
