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Military Change of Command Ceremonies

Various military leaders speaking at formal change of command ceremonies. The images depict officers delivering speeches, with attendees in uniform and flags present.

Outgoing Commanding General Maj. Gen. Sean C. Bernabe, 1st Armored Division, delivers his final remarks during a change of command ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, July 14, 2022. During his speech, he thanked numerous people and reflected on the accomplishments of the 1st Armored Division and welcomed the incoming Commanding General Brig. Gen. James P. Isenhower III. Bernabe served as the commanding general and senior mission commander for Fort Bliss since September 2020.
Outgoing Commanding General Maj. Gen. Sean C. Bernabe, 1st Armored Division, delivers his final remarks during a change of command ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, July 14, 2022. During his speech, he thanked numerous people and reflected on the accomplishments of the 1st Armored Division and welcomed the incoming Commanding General Brig. Gen. James P. Isenhower III. Bernabe served as the commanding general and senior mission commander for Fort Bliss since September 2020.
138 assets in this story
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U.S. Army Col. John B. Gilliam, commander of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (3/1 ABCT), Greywolf Brigade, operationally controlled by the 1st Infantry Division (1 ID), delivers a speech during the Transfer of Authority ceremony in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, Feb. 4, 2023. The 3/1 ABCT is among other units assigned to the 1 ID, proudly working alongside NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, America's forward deployed corps in Europe.
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U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeffery Broadwater, deputy commander of the V Corps, gives a speech at the closing ceremony of Noble Partner at the Vaziani Training Area, Georgia Sep. 9, 2022. Exercise Noble Partner is designed to enhance regional partnerships and increase U.S. force readiness and interoperability in a realistic, multinational training environment. The exercise allows participants to conduct situational training exercises, live-fire exercises, and combined mechanized maneuvers.
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US Army Brigadier General Edward T. Buckley Jr., Assistant Division Commander of the 7th Infantry Division, speaks during the christening ceremony for the Military Sealift Command (MSC) strategic heavy lift ship USNS POMEROY (T-AKR-316). Base: San Diego State: California (CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron, 3d Marine Division Commanding General, addresses Marines, Sailors, veterans, and guests during a battle colors rededication ceremony on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Sept. 14, 2022. The ceremony commemorated the Divisions 80th Anniversary and its legacy of valor, honor, and fidelity. The 3d Marine Division was activated at Camp Elliot, San Diego, Sept. 16, 1942 and has taken part in combat operations from World War II and Vietnam through Iraq and Afghanistan. The current Marines of 3d Marine Division continue to build on this legacy today as a critical part of the stand-in force within the first island chain of the Indo-Pacific.
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U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion 263rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, South Carolina National Guard, conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony for the renovation of Battery B, Sept. 10, 2022, Easley, South Carolina. In attendance were U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, South Carolina State Senator Thomas Alexander, South Carolina State Representative Neal Collins, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. R. Van McCarty, the adjutant general for South Carolina National Guard, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Frank Rice, commander, 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
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DA-SN-87-08928. Subject Operation/Series: YAMA SAKURA XI Base: Camp Sendai Country: Japan (JPN)
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040326-M-2950A-020. Base: Marine Corps Air Station,Iwakuni Country: Japan (JPN)
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050114-F-5040D-947. Base: Andersen Air Base State: Guam (GU) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Roosevelt Loveless, 628th Air Base Wing deputy inspector general, delivers an invocation for the 16th Airlift Squadron Change of Command Ceremony at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, June 10, 2022. The 16th AS was established in 1940 and has since gone on to play indispensable roles in major operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria, with the most recent operation being Allies Refuge.
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U.S. Army Sgt. William Foster, a musician assigned to the Tropic Lightning Brass Band, 25th Infantry Division Band, performs during a community outreach performance as part of Super Garuda Shield 2022 on Aug. 8, 2022 at Kantor Bupati Oku Timur, Martapura, South Sumatra, Indonesia. Super Garuda Shield 2022, a part of Operation Pathways and a longstanding annual, bilateral military exercise conducted between the U.S. Military and Indonesian National Armed Forces, reinforces U.S. commitments to our allies and regional partners, joint readiness, and the interoperability to fight and win together.
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(CHINA LAKE) - NAWCWD Deputy Technical Director Brad Harlow, who most recently served as OICC China Lake Program Director delivers remarks on the history of the development and execution of the 22 project, $2.7B Earthquake Recovery Program on July 13 aboard Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
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U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Mark L. Daniel, the outgoing 1st Combined Arms Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division command sergeant major, reflects on his tenure as battalion command sergeant major during the 1st Bn., 63rd Armor Regt., change of responsibility ceremony at the Fort Riley, Kansas, Cavalry Parade Field, Oct. 27, 2022. The position of the command sergeant major is held by the senior non-commissioned officer of the unit. The command sergeant major is the guardian of the unit colors and is the principal advisor to the battalion commander.
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2nd Brigade Combat Team covers the colors in preparation for transport on Fort Campbell KY, June 16, 2022. 2nd Brigade will relieve the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division in Europe.
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U.S. Army Trooper Maj. Gabriela Thompson, the public affairs officer assigned to the 3d Cavalry Regiment, speaks at a press conference to affirm commitment to the local government and the return of the city of Razish to Atropian authorities during a training rotation to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, May 21, 2022. Thompson spoke on behalf of the Regimental commander and addressed concerns regarding the conflict in process during the training rotation.
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030312-M-8337G-023. Base: Iwo Jima Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: III MEF
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Guest speakers honor women veterans in Milltown, New Jersey, June 3, 2022. The American Legion Joyce Kilmer Post 25 hosted their second annual event that recognized women veterans.
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U.S. Air Force Capt. Claudia Villasenor, the public affairs officer for the Puerto Rico Air National Guard, holds a bouquet of flowers during a change of command ceremony at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico, Dec. 10, 2022. The change of command ceremony is a time honored tradition, symbolizing the transfer of responsibility from one officer to another and this ceremony was held during the December regularly scheduled drill.
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U.S. Navy Cmdr. John Rudd, from Laconia, New York, 3rd from left, takes part in a National Day of Prayer service at Bethlehem Park in Koror, Palau, during Pacific Partnership 2024-1, Jan. 5, 2024. Pacific Partnership, now in its 19th iteration, is the largest multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific and works to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships.
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220818-N-OA516-1146SAN DIEGO (Aug. 18, 2022) - Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, speaks on the innovation and future warfighting capabilities at the Surface Navy Associations (SNA) third annual Waterfront Symposium on board Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 18. Incorporated in 1985, SNA promotes greater coordination and communication among those in the military, business, and academic communities who share a common interest in surface warfare while supporting the activities of the Navy's surface forces.
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Chief Master Sgt. Carlos Damian, 8th Fighter Wing command chief, gives closing remarks during a Prisoner of War and Missing in Action ceremony at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 7, 2022. Annually, POW/MIA members are honored and while the military continues to fight for their country, they still remember those who came before them and participate in recovering the remains of those still missing.
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September 11th remembrance ceremony held in front of NASA Research Park Bldg-17 (Lunar Science Institute) hosted by the American Legion, Post 881, Moffett Field. memorial prayer
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U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Tobiah Jones, 338th Training Squadron commander, and U.S. Army Capt. Olivia Theodore, 823rd Red Horse Squadron project engineer, Hurlburt Field, Florida, participates in an Air Expeditionary Force Ribbon Cutting Ceremony behind Jones Hall at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, May 4, 2022. The AEF Training Area supports more than 700 students annually for the Radio Frequency Operations Apprentice Course.
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220801-N-TT639-1200 PACIFIC OCEAN (Aug. 1, 2022) - Capt. John C. Kiefaber, commanding officer of amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), addresses the crew during a change of command ceremony on the flight deck, August 1, 2022. Tripoli is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
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030416-M4547R-017. Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Foster State: Okinawa Country: Japan (JPN) Scene Major Command Shown: 4th Marines
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Major General Wayne E. Rollings Commanding General II Marine Expeditionary Force introduces the guest speaker Lieutenant General John M. Keane Deputy Commander-in-CHIEF, US Atlantic Command at the closing ceremonies of COOPERATIVE OSPREY '98 on WPT Hill field. Subject Operation/Series: COOPERATIVE OSPREY '98 Base: Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune State: North Carolina (NC) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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A member of the 30th Medical Group gifts flowers to the family of U.S. Air Force Col. Brent Cunningham, incoming commander, 30th Medical Group, during a change of command ceremony on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., July 8, 2022. U.S. Air Force Col. Jessica Spitler relinquished command to Col. Brent Cunningham.
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Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, talks to U.S. service members during a flag casing ceremony that marked the end of Operation New Dawn, at the former Sather Air Base, in Baghdad, Iraq, Dec. 15, 2011. Since 2003, more than 1 million airmen, soldier, sailors and Marines have served in Iraq.
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Norfolk, Va. (April 6, 2022) - Rear Adm. Michael Wettlaufer, U.S. Navys Military Sealift Command commander, presents a challenge coin to Virginia Woodward, CEO, Fear 2 Freedom, during MSCs annual SAPR awareness walk. This annual event is held in support of Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention Month (SAAPM) in order to raise awareness and prevention of sexual assault.
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030903-M-7837W-048. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Camp Babylon Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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U.S. Army Soldiers with the 102nd Cavalry Regiment, 44th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New Jersey Army National Guard, initiates their deployment at the 102nd Cavalry Regiments fairwell ceremony at the Westfield Armory, Westfield, New Jersey, on Jan. 14, 2024. More than 1,500 NJARNG Soldiers will deploy in support of U.S. Central Commands Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve. CJTF-OIR advises, assists, and enables partnered forces until they can independently defeat Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - ISIS - in designated areas of Iraq and Syria, in order to set conditions for long-term security cooperation frameworks. It is the largest deployment of New Jersey Army National Guard Soldiers since 2008.
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040429-F-6244S-005. Base: Baghdad Country: Iraq (IRQ)
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U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. William Bowers, the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations Pacific, addresses the audience during a change of command ceremony at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, June 16, 2022. Col. Lance Lewis, the outgoing commanding officer of the air station, relinquished command to Col. Richard Rusnok. MCAS Iwakuni is a mission-ready air station, capable of providing continuous base-operating support for tenant organizations and follow-on U.S. and allied forces during training, combat, or contingency operations throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
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Ron Nirenberg, the mayor of San Antonio, speaks during the opening ceremony and proclamation reading for the 52nd anniversary of Celebrate Americas Military in San Antonio, Texas, Oct. 31, 2022. The Celebrate Americas Military opening ceremony honors active, guard, and reserve military service members, families, and veterans and recognizes the many organizations that support them year-round.
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U.S. Air Force Col. Damian Schlussel, Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education commander, gives a speech during the assumption of responsibility and ribbon cutting ceremony on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Feb. 8, 2024. The Mathies NCOA is a professional military education facility for noncommissioned officers focused on deliberately developing todays enlisted warriors to secure the competitive advantage of tomorrow. Air Force
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U.S. Army Col. Seth Graves, the U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys commander, gives a speech during the National Suicide Prevention Month Community Wellness Fair and Barracks Safety Stand-down hosted by the Army Substance Abuse Program and BOSS on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Downtown Plaza on Camp Humphreys. The event is open to all members of the USAG Humphreys community to learn about suicide, including risk factors, warning signs, statistics, treatment, and how to report about it responsibly.
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DA-SC-85-06469. Subject Operation/Series: TEAM SPIRIT '84 Base: Hongchon Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)
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Members of the 204th Army Band play music June 14, 2022, at McCoys Community Center as part of the Army Birthday Celebration at Fort McCoy, Wis. The breakfast was part of many events coordinated by the Fort McCoy Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation to commemorate the 247th birthday of the U.S. Army at Fort McCoy. The day also included a birthday breakfast, a 5k run and walk, free car washes, and more.
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Center, the ribbon cutting is performed, from right to left, U.S. Army Col. Matthew J. Gomlak, Garrison Italy Commander, U.S. Consul General in Florence Ragini Gupta, Eugenio Giani president of the region of Tuscany and Tommy R. Mize, Director, Installation Management Command Directorate-Europe, during the ribbon cutting ceremony of the revolving bridge over the Navicelli Canal at Camp Darby, Pisa Ammunition Storage Area, Italy, Sep. 22, 2022. Camp Darby celebrates the completion of a $42 million infrastructure modernization project, that includes railway bridge over the Navicelli Canal, upgrades to canal docks and a safe zone of loading and unloading ammunition. The project funded by the U.S. government, is a key strategic project and contributes to improving security at the site.