First African American to Command The 777th Aviation Support Battalion 77th Theater Aviation Brigade

Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Noyal Brasfield:

LTC Brasfield was born in Dumas, Arkansas. He graduated from Dumas High School in 1994. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in General Studies from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff in 2007.

As a product of a military family, LTC Brasfield began his military journey in the Arkansas Army National Guard in November 1993 as an 11B, Rifleman with Company C, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th Infantry Brigade. LTC Brasfield attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

He obtained the grade of Specialist E4, before he entered the Arkansas Military Academy Officer Candidate School (Class 42). After receiving his commission, he was assigned as a Platoon Leader in Company D, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, 39th Infantry Brigade. Immediately upon completion of his Infantry Officer Basic Course, LTC Brasfield started deployment train-up for deployment to Bosnia.

During his 30-years career, he has served in various leadership positions including Anti-Armor Platoon Leader (Joint), D 3-153rd IN attached to 3rd Squadron, 7th U.S. Calvary, Bosnia; Platoon Leader, Detachment 1, Company B, 1st Battalion, 141st Infantry, Victoria, Texas; Company Executive Officer, Company A, 2nd Battalion 142nd IN (Joint), Tallil, Iraq; Deputy Support Plans Operations/Transportation Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (-), 2nd Battalion, 142nd Combat Sustainment and Support Battalion, Tallil, Iraq; Commander, Company B, 39th BSB and OWT Team Chief (Simultaneous Commands), S3 Battalion Operations Officer, HHC(-), 39th Support Battalion, Hazen, Arkansas; BDE Logistic Officer (S4) HHC, 77th Aviation Brigade (Joint) Kuwait.

LTC Brasfield entered the Arkansas National Guard Federal Technician program in 2019 as the Logistics Management Specialist (GS-11) for the National Guard Marksmanship Training Center. He has served as the Logistics Plans and Policy Officer (GS-11) for Deputy Chief of Staff Logistics. He currently serves as the Supervisory Logistics Management Specialist (GS-12) for the Deputy Chief of Staff Logistics. On August 3, 2022, LTC Brasfield assumed Command of the 777th Aviation Support Battalion, 77th Theater Aviation Brigade. He is the first African American to serve as the Commander of 777th Aviation Support Battalion.

LTC Brasfield’s military education includes the Infantry Officers Basic Course, Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Ordinance Officer Branch Qualification Course, Composite Risk Management Basic Course, Intermediate Level Education Common Core Phase 1(Command and General Staff College), Intermediate Leaders Education Advanced Operations Course (CGSC), Support Operations Officer Course and Ground Safety Officer Course.

LTC Brasfield is the recipient of many awards, medals and decorations to include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Meritorious Unit Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M” Device, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Iraqi Campaign Medal.

Currently, LTC Brasfield is employed as a Full-Time Federal Technician for the Arkansas Army National Guard. He serves as the Supervisory Logistics Management Officer (SLMS) for the Deputy Chief of Staff, Logistics (DCSLOG).

LTC Brasfield is a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated and he and his wife, Nickole and their two sons (Nubian and Nzion) and daughter (Nyla) live in Pine Bluff.