Lewiston-, Skowhegan-based engineer unit changes hands

Family, friends and soldiers of the 136th Engineer Vertical Construction Company look on as the outgoing commander, Capt. Russell Boynton, holds the company guidon for the last time during a change of command ceremony Nov. 6 in Lewiston. Sgt. Alaina Marson photo

LEWISTON — The 136th Engineer Vertical Construction Company held a change of command ceremony Nov. 6, in which Capt. Russell Boynton turned over command of the unit to incoming commander Capt. Timothy Kelley.

Boynton has held the position for the last three years and will be transitioning to a staff position with the 240th Regional Training Institute in Bangor.

“I had the privilege in August 2019 to take command,” said Boynton, according to a news release from Maj. Carl Lamb, public affairs officer. “No one could anticipate a pandemic and the challenges of training in this environment. The soldiers of this unit adapted and performed exceptionally.”

“I know Capt. Kelley is going to do a great job as the incoming commander,” said Boynton in his remarks. “I could not think of a better individual to continue the great things that are being accomplished here.”

Kelley thanked Boynton for his mentorship and guidance, as well as for maintaining the unit at such a high level of proficiency.

The Buxton resident returns to the 136th after seven years with other units. He began his career in the Maine Army National Guard 17 years ago by enlisting as a carpentry and masonry specialist while still attending high school. He was assigned to what was then B Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion in Westbrook, now the 262nd Engineer Company, and later the 136th in Lewiston.

Upon commissioning, Kelley was assigned as a platoon leader with the 185th Engineer Support Company in Caribou. He was later assigned to the 262nd Engineer Construction Company in Westbrook as a platoon leader and executive officer. He served as a detachment officer-in-charge during the 262nd deployment to the Southwest Border in 2020-21, and has most recently been assigned to 133rd Engineer Battalion’s headquarters company in Brunswick as a battle captain in the operations section.

Boynton enlisted into the Maine Army National Guard 20 years ago as a carpentry and masonry specialist and deployed with A Company, 133rd Engineer Battalion, to Mosul, Iraq, in 2005 before commissioning six years later and being assigned to the 136th in Lewiston, Maine and 262nd Engineer Company in Belfast as a platoon leader.

The Portland resident was subsequently assigned to the 185th Engineer Support Company in Caribou as executive officer and 133rd Engineer Battalion in Brunswick as a battle captain prior to his tenure as the 136th commander.