← Military & Defence

Military Change of Command Ceremonies

Images depicting various military change of command ceremonies showcasing officers delivering speeches and transitions in leadership within military units.

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Russell D. Driggers, Joint Base San Antonio and 502nd Air Base Wing commander, speaks at a holiday tree lighting ceremony Dec. 2, 2022 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The ceremony featured a meet-and-greet with Santa Claus, sweet refreshments and live music.

Chief Master Sgt. of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman speaks during the Senior Enlisted Leader International Summit in Arlington, Va., Aug. 2, 2022. The summit is hosting senior enlisted leaders from 54 countries to reinforce partnerships between military services.

NAPLES, Italy (Jan. 22, 2024) - Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea delivers remarks during an all hands call at the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa Headquarters in Naples, Italy, Jan. 22. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Honea traveled to Italy to meet with Sailors and communicate the CNOs strategic priorities of warfighting, warfighters and the foundation that supports them with the fleet.

The Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center Command Team discusses future partnerships with a team from the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Washington D.C., at Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center, Mississippi, July 29, 2022. The German team led the first Camp Shelby hosted German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge event.

US Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) Dr. James G. Roche (left), accompanied by US Air Force (USAF) General (GEN) Robert H. (Doc) Foglesong, US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Commander, and Brigadier General (BGEN) Erwin F. Lessel. III (right), Commander, 86th Airlift Wing (AW), speaks to Airmen during his visit to Ramstein Air Base (AB), Germany. US Secretary of the Air Force (SECAF) Dr. James G. Roche (left), accompanied by US Air Force (USAF) General (GEN) Robert H. (Doc) Foglesong, US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Commander, and Brigadier General (BGEN) Erwin F. Lessel. III (right), Commander, 86th Airlift Wing (AW), speaks to Airmen during his visit to Ramstein Air Base (AB), Germany.

8th Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Willard Burleson III guest speaker during the 38th Parallel.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Benjamin Roark, commander of 1-6 FAR, gives a speech during the change of command ceremony at Tower Barracks, Germany, Feb. 21, 2024. Capt. Kurt Rossi relinquished command of Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, to Capt. Pierce English. Army

U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice Parker, assigned to 207th Military Intelligence Brigade, Command Sergeant Major, talks during the NCO Induction ceremony at Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy, April 08, 2022.

LT. GEN. Frank B. Campbell, 12th Air Force and U.S. Southern Command's Air Force Commander addresses the attendees during the opening ceremony, for New Horizon '97, at Georgetown's National Services Sports Complex. New Horizon '97 is the first combined humanitarian and civic assistance exercise conducted between the United States and Guyana. Military personnel from the Air Force, Air Force Reserve & National Guard, Army, Army National Guard and Marine Corps participated in the exercise which included engineering and medical readiness training. Subject Operation/Series: NEW HORIZON '97 Base: Georgetown Country: French Guiana (GUF)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Frank Kammer, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, command senior enlisted leader, gives a speech during a change of responsibility ceremony at Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti, Sept. 7, 2022. Kammer took responsibility for CJTF-HOA from U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Jason Colon. (Department of Defense photo by U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Johns)

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Andrew Priddy, commanding general, Task Force 61/2, delivers remarks to media during a key leader engagement event aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) in Helsinki, Finland, Aug. 7, 2022. The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and embarked 22nd MEU, under the command and control of Task Force 61/2, is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, employed by U.S. Sixth Fleet to defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

March Air Reserve Base Airmen with the California Air National Guard host a Change of Command ceremony for incoming 163d Attack Wing Commander Col. Clark Bramante at March ARB, Oct. 16, 2022. A Change of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for a unit to a commanding officer. The mission of the 163d ATKW is to provide dedicated, disciplined, and diverse guardsmen ready to defend California, the nation and local communities from any threats that compromise the safety, security and well-being of citizens and allies.

A retirement ceremony is held for U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Heidi Bunker, the eleventh Ohio state command chief, on September 10, 2022, at Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Her retirement followed a change of authority ceremony.

040824-F-0571C-158. Base: Timehri Country: Guyana (GUY)

Major General Al Dohrmann, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general speaks to soldiers of the 1-188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at a town hall meeting at the Grand Forks, North Dakota Armory on April 20, 2022. General Dohrmann discussed the North Dakota National Guards strategic plan and answered soldiers questions during the meeting

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Japan Engineer District commander, Col. Gary Bonham, briefs attendees during a Safe + Sound week campaign at Camp Zama, Japan, August 16, 2022. Safe + Sound week is a nationwide campaign created by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and held each August, to recognize the successes of workplace health and safety programs.

Members of the 349th Air Mobility Wing and other distinguished visitors gathered to celebrate the 2023 Annual Award winners during a banquet on February 03, 2024, at Travis Air Force Base, California. (US Air Force

040731-M-4419R-082. Base: Fob Blue Diamond State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ)

U.S. Army Capt. Zachary B. Griffin, 42d Transportation Company commander recognizes Soldiers in the unit for their hard work and professionalism during the activation ceremony, Oct. 14, 2022 at Rhine Ordnance Barracks in Kaiserslautern, Germany

U.S. Army Yuma Test Center (YTC) Commander Lt. Col. Shane Dering served as keynote speaker at the 28th annual Camp Bouse Commemoration Ceremony in the La Paz County town of Bouse on Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024.

IZMIR, Turkey - U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Roger L. Cloutier Jr. addresses civil leaders from Izmir, senior military leaders from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and the men and women of NATOs Allied Land Command (LANDCOM) for the last time during the Change of Command ceremony Thursday, August 4 2022 at LANDCOM Headquarters in Izmir, Turkey. (NATO photo taken by U.S. Army Maj. Brian Andries, LANDCOM Public Affairs.)

131st Force Support Squadron Commander Lt. Col. Timothy Sullivan delivers remarks during the squadron's change of command ceremony Aug. 4, 2022, in Knob Noster, Mo. He was also presented with the Meritorious Service Medal. Lt. Col. Steven Eldien took command upon Sullivans retirement.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight, adjutant general, Vermont National Guard, offers remarks during a Casing of the Colors ceremony for Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 101st Field Artillery Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont Army National Guard, in Waterbury, Vt., December 3, 2022. Traditionally, this military ceremony commemorates unit history prior to the transfer of duty stations. The apex involves furling the guidon and placing it inside a protective sheath. Following their transfer to Massachusetts, Bravo Batterys lineage and honors transfer to the 172nd Law Enforcement Detachment of Garrison Support Command.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Louis Ludwig, 386th Air Expeditionary Wing command chief, briefs Airmen from the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing during a base all-call at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait, September 27, 2022. Ludwig talked about the future of Agile Combat Employment, its importance and future operations.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Kolasheski, the commanding general of U.S. Army Fifth Corps, speaks during the official renaming ceremony for Camp Kościuszko, Poznan, Poland, July 30, 2022. The renaming of the Forward Operating Site at Poznan to Camp Kościuszko represents the United States and Polands shared history and marks the beginning of the first permanent U.S. presence on NATOs eastern flank.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John R. Evans, commander of U.S. Army North, speaks to attendees of the National Day of Prayer ceremony on Joint Base San Antonio - Fort Sam Houston, Texas, May 5, 2022. National Day of Prayer is an observance on the first Thursday in May that gives the American people of all faiths the opportunity to collectively join in prayer for the country.

New York Army National Guard Command Sgt. Major David Piwowarski, presides over a celebration of the Guard's 386th birthday and recounts New York National Guard history at New York National Guard headquarters, Latham, New York, Dec. 13, 2022. New York Army National Guard Master Sgt. Jerry Swain, age 60, and Air National Guard Airman 1st Class Emma Davignon, age 18, cut the ceremonial National Guard birthday cake, continuing the tradition of the oldest and youngest service members coming together to cut the cake to symbolize the past and future of the National Guard.

U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Anthony R. Hale, the deputy chief of staff for Intelligence, addresses the audience during his promotion ceremony, at the Patriot Room of the Pentagon in Arlington, Va., Jan. 3, 2024. Hale was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general during the event, officiated and hosted by Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army Gen. Randy A. George.

U.S. Army Col. Jeremy Chapman, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District commander, speaks during a Zone 1 ground-breaking ceremony at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Sept. 13, 2022. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers awarded a $532 million construction contract to deliver 11 projects that directly support flight line operations for Tyndalls F-35A aircraft slated to begin arrival in September 2023.

New Jersey State Command Chief Master Sgt. Michael Rakauckas speaks to New Jersey Air National Guard Airmen, Soldiers, and Department of Military and Veterans Affairs civilians during the CATALIST class 002 induction on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, May 22, 2022. CATALIST, which stands for Cultivating Agile and Transformational Air Guard Leaders through Inspiring and Structured Training, marks a significant step toward the New Jersey Air National Guard commanders goal of strengthening the development of future military leaders.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Phillip M. Brashear, 80th Training Command (TASS), Command Chief Warrant Officer, speaks to an audience of Soldiers and Civilians at Fitch Auditorium July 7. Brashear told his personal story of diversity, resilience and leadership, lessons he learned from his father late Master Chief, Master Diver Carl Brashear, whos journey to become the Navys first African American diver was featured in the movie Men of Honor.

Fort McCoy Equal Opportunity Advisor Master Sgt. Ana Guzman in Fort McCoys 2022 National Hispanic Heritage Month observance Sept. 15, 2022, at McCoys Community Center at Fort McCoy, Wis. Licensed Counselor Carmella Navarro was the guest speaker. Navarro has experience working with the Army Reserves 85th Support Command and much more as a licensed clinical professional counselor. Navarro shared many personal experiences in her presentation. The 2022 National Hispanic Heritage Month observance at Fort McCoy was organized by Guzman with the Fort McCoy Equal Opportunity Office. In addition to the guest speaker, the banquet room at McCoys Community Center was adorned with materials highlight Hispanic Heritage, and more.

U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command welcomes new Commanding General, Gen. Gary Brito.U.S. Army Photo by Jean Wines.

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Marc T. Walker, a Virginia native, assistant chief of staff for Marine Corps Instillations Command Pacific, addresses attendees of a retirement ceremony on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, February 15, 2024. MCCOG executes Marine Corps Department of Defense Information Network Operations and Marine Corps Defensive Cyberspace Operations to enhance freedom of action across warfighting domains while denying the efforts of adversaries by degradation or disruption via cyberspace operations. Marine Corps

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Aaron C. Teller, outgoing commander of the 79th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Battalion, 71st Ordnance Group, 20th CBRNE Command, speaks during a battalion change of command ceremony, June 30, 2022, at the Fort Riley, Kansas, Cavalry Parade Field. The ceremony was held to honor Teller as the battalions outgoing commander, and to welcome U.S. Army Lt. Col. Ian J Jarvis, as the battalions incoming commander.

U.S. Army Capt. Elijah Eyoto, incoming commander, 66th Transportation company, delivers his welcome speech, during the Change of Command ceremony at, Kleber Kaserne, Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Jan. 8, 2024.

Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Gregory Mosser, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Reserve Command, presides over the 88th Readiness Division Change of Command Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park, Fort McCoy, Wis., July 30. 2022.

Col. Ethan J. Diven, incoming commander of the "Spartan Brigade", 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, addresses Soldiers, Families and distinguished guests during the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, June 16, 2022. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Gary Velasquez, commander, 156th Security Forces Squadron, speaks to Airmen during the mid-year commanders all-call at Muñiz Air National Guard Base, Carolina, Puerto Rico, June 5, 2022. Wing leadership spoke about the strategic vision for the wing, the threat of U.S. adversaries, as well as the importance of maintaining readiness.

U.S. Army LTC Jeremy Yama of the G-1, FMD, Integrated Personnel and Pay System - Army (IPPS - A) briefs the Adjutant General of the U.S Army, BG Gregory Johnson, during a meeting with key leaders of the IPPS - A program to disucss upcoming release events and issues, Dec. 1, 2022 in Arlington, Virginia.

120822-N-OY799-040BREMERTON, Wash. (Aug. 22, 2012) Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) the Honorable Leon Panetta speaks to the crew of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) about their upcoming deployment. The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is scheduled to get underway at the end of the month for a deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Meeting and press conference, hosted by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne at Main Interior, on inter-state water issues arising from the drought affecting the southeastern U.S., with the Secretary joined by Alabama Governor Bob Riley, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lieutenant General Robert Van Antwerp

Lieutenant General John N. Brandenburg, Commander of I Corps, speaks to members of the press as his troops arrive to participate in the joint South Korea/US Exercise Team Spirit '84. Base: Osan Air Base Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Stephen Messenger spoke to members of the garrison workforce during his Town Hall sessions on October 27, 2022. He discussed his assessment from his first 90 days in command, results from the command climate survey, and his vision and goals for the future. The installation held two sessions for the workforce, and recorded the event for those who could not attend. Col. Messenger assumed command on July 14, 2022.

Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Stephen Messenger gives a presentation during the 2024 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Observance on Jan. 16, 2024, in McCoys Community Center at Fort McCoy, Wis. The 2024 observance at Fort McCoy featured opening comments by Master Sgt. Ana Guzman with the Fort McCoy Equal Opportunity Office who organized the event. It also included an opening prayer by Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Amy Noble with the Fort McCoy Religious Support Office, and Messenger spoke about the legacy of MLK Jr. The 2024 theme for the observance was Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not A Day Off! After Messenger gave his presentation, a video of one of Kings most famous speeches, Ive Been to the Mountaintop, was played for the observance attendees.

U.S. Air Force Col. Kevin R. Mantovani, Vice Commander, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, briefs members of the Qatar Emiri Corps of Engineers on overview of scope and size of the mission during the QECE visit, June 13, 2022, Port San Antonio, Texas. QECE is developing an operations and maintenance (O&M) program to support the Qatar Ministry of Defenses current and future requirements.

Brig. Gen. Clinton Murray, commanding general of Medical Readiness Command, Europe, addresses the audience during the redesignation ceremony. The Regional Health Command Europe, headquartered at Sembach, Germany, was redesignated as Medical Readiness Command, Europe during a ceremony near Landstuhl Regional Medical Center on September 30.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Michele Edmondson, Second Air Force commander, delivers remarks during the Women's History Month Bruncheon inside the Bay Breeze Event Center at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, March 27, 2023. The theme for this year's Women's History Month is Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories and is celebrated throughout March.

U.S. Army Sgt. Daniel J. Littleton, a CBRN specialist and motor pool specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Regiment, General Support Aviation Battalion, 36th Combat Aviation Brigade, 36th Infantry Division, receives recognition as "Hero of the Week" by the 36th CAB, "Task Force Mustang," during a command and staff briefing held at the Task Force Mustang headquarters in Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Sept. 22, 2022. Littleton, a native of Lewisville, TX, was presented a Certificate of Achievement by the brigade command team for his valuable contributions in coordinating, tracking, and moving his entire company's rolling stock with a relentless work ethic, in order to support of 2-149th GSAB's "Task Force Roosevelt" readiness.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Phillip Ferris, commander of the 475th Expeditionary Air Base Squadron (EABS), delivers a speech during a change of command ceremony at Manda Bay Airfield, Kenya, May 09, 2022. Ferris assumed command of the 475th EABS from Lt. Col. Drew Gehler, the outgoing commander. The 475th EABS provides base operations and communications support for 13 mission partners enabling Special Operations Command Africa missions in Kenya and Somalia. Together, with African and international partners, they help provide a secure, stable, and prosperous Africa.

A retirement ceremony is held for U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Heidi Bunker, the eleventh Ohio state command chief, on September 10, 2022, at Robert S. Beightler Armory in Columbus, Ohio. Her retirement followed a change of authority ceremony.

U.S. Army Reserve Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Bailey, left, Military Intelligence Readiness Command command sergeant major, and Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Brian Bertazon, right, sing the Army Song during a change of responsibility ceremony held at Fort Belvoir, Va., Jan. 21, 2024. U.S. Army Reserve Command Sgt. Maj. Edward Bailey assumed responsibility as Military Intelligence Readiness Command command sergeant major from outgoing command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Brian Bertazon.

051110-A-4861M-079. Base: Fort Lewis State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Army Col. Anthony Nesbitt, Army Medical Logistics Command commander addresses the audience during the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Center-Europe, change of command & relinquishment of responsibility ceremony, July 8, 2022 at Kaiserslautern, Germany. Col. Deon D. Maxwell Sr. assumed command of the unit from Col. Shane A. Roach and Master Sgt. Charles W. Douglas assumed responsibility from Sgt. Maj. Francis V. Famularcano.

021004-F-4728F-001. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

220608-N-GV721-1005 SAN DIEGO (June 8, 2022) Capt. John Molinari Navy Reserve Forces Command Chief of Staff, gives opening remarks at the Navy Reserve echelon three and four conference held in San Diego. On June 8, 2022 the Navy Reserve senior leadership discuss the future of the Navy Reserve force.

NJ Army National Guard State Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Leonard meets with Albanian military leaders in Tirana May 16, 2022. State Command Sgt. Maj. Leonard travels to Tirana along with other prominent Non-Commissioned Officers of the NJ Army National Guard to help promote the development of the Albanian NCO Core. (NJ Army National Guard photo by SSG Jacqui Robinson)

Col. Kristina Green, outgoing commander of the Training Support Command, Military Intelligence Readiness Command, gives her remarks during a relinquishment of command ceremony, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, July 15, 2022.

U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Michael Adams, assigned to the 378th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron, speaks during the closing ceremony for Police Week, at Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, May 20, 2022. Adams, the guest speaker for the event, is a deputy U.S. Marshal for Arizonas violent offenders fugitive task force and member of the Air Force Reserves 720th Security Force Squadron at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy made May 15 National Police Officer Day and the week which May 15 falls on as National Police Week. The 378th ESFS hosted several events throughout the week to honor all those who have fallen and are stills serving.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kyle Dye, 49th Force Support Squadron First Term Enlisted Course noncommissioned officer in charge, discusses various class topics with junior Airmen in the Professional Development Center at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, Jan. 8, 2024. In addition to acclimating new Airmen to life at their first duty station, Dye is able to network with the different departments that come to do FTEC presentations.

Lt. Col. Charles Schulz, outgoing 317th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander, gives his final salute to the 317th AMXS Airmen during the 317th AMXS change of command on Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, June 3, 2022. Schulz arrived at Dyess in July of 2020 and commanded the 317th Maintenance Squadron before assuming command of the 317th AMXS.

Kuwaiti Military Cooperation Director, Brig. Gen. Fahad Al-Otaibi, and U.S. Army Central's Deputy Commander, Maj. Gen. Wendul Hagler II, sign the minutes during the Bilateral Project Financial Management Review closing at Patton Hall on Shaw AFB, S.C. Oct, 27.

Brigadier General Raymond E. Johns speaks to the distinguished visitors and the participants of Defender Challenge after being presented The Order of the Bayonet, at McChord Air Force Base, Washington. The Order of the Bayonet was established in 1981 to recognize those who have made significant contributions to security and ground defense of air bases. Air Mobility Command defenders nominate candidates based on their accomplishments, not their position or rank. This is the highest honor security police men and women can bestow upon a person. Base: Mcchord Air Force Base State: Washington (WA) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman sits in a briefing with Chief Master Sergeant Rebecca Arbona, 17th Training Wing command chief, at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, July 8, 2022. Chief Towberman visited Goodfellow to discuss the future of U.S. Space Force intelligence training.

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Jan Rwendel Nirza, assigned to the 378th Air Expeditionary Medical Squadron, sings the national anthem, during the squadrons change of command ceremony at Prince Sultan Air Base, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, June 9, 2022. Col. Jeffrey L. Wisneski relinquished command of the 378th EMDS to Col. Richard J. Zavadil during the ceremony. The tradition of change of command ceremonies is so that the unit can witness their new leader assume the responsibility and trust associated with the position of commander.

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Isaac Dayag, 43rd Comptrollers Squadron financial operations technician, addresses the community at the Field of Glory Flag Day Ceremony June 14, 2022, in Erwin, North Carolina.(U.S. Air Force photo/Jim Bove)

070319-M-5865P-002. Subject Operation/Series: IRAQI FREEDOM Base: Al Asad State: Al Anbar Country: Iraq (IRQ) Scene Major Command Shown: TASK FORCE 3 3RD MEDCOM

Meeting and press conference, hosted by Secretary Dirk Kempthorne at Main Interior, on inter-state water issues arising from the drought affecting the southeastern U.S., with the Secretary joined by Alabama Governor Bob Riley, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman James Connaughton, and the Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lieutenant General Robert Van Antwerp

U.S. Air Force Col. Charles "Shell" Schuck, 33rd Operations Group commander, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, participates in a speed mentoring session with Air Force ROTC cadets during Pathways to Blue inside the Roberts Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Facility at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, March 31, 2023. Pathways to Blue is a diversity outreach event hosted by Second Air Force with the support of the 81st Training Wing, 403rd Wing, 1st Special Operations Wing, 24th Special Operations Wing, 85th Engineering Installation Squadron and the Air Force Research Laboratory. Approximately 170 cadets from 12 different colleges and universities were provided hands-on demonstrations of various officer career fields.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. George W. Smith, commanding general for I Marine Expeditionary Force, center, has a conference with key leaders to discuss military capabilities at Naval Base Guam, on June 10, 2022. Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz is being constructed and contributes to the growing military presence in the Indo-Pacific.

Lt. Col. Michael A. Duval, incoming Commander, 39th Signal Strategic Battalion, gives a speech during 39th Strategic Signal Battalion change of command ceremony June 30, 2022 at Chièvres Air Base, Belgium. (photo by Henri Cambier)

Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lt. Gen. Andrew Poppas speaks to the audience during a Law Enforcement Torch Run with the Special Olympics Eternal Flame of Hope at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., May 25, 2022. (DoD photo by U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jack Sanders)

Lt. Gen. Robert "Pat" White, commanding general of III Armored Corps and Fort Hood, hosts a media roundtable at the National Mounted Warrior Museum on Fort Hood, Texas, Jun. 9, 2022. Attendees received an exclusive tour of the museum and participated in an open panel discussion with Fort Hood senior leaders. The media roundtable is an opportunity for military senior leaders to discuss topics of interest in an open forum with the media and build rapport by establishing a channel of open and transparent communication.

Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony McAdoo, human resource command, command sergeant major, motivates the crowd during a non-commissioned officer induction ceremony Oct. 25, on Fort Hood, Texas. McAdoo explained to the inductees why the words of the creed of the non-commissioned officer are important.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Josef Thrash III, the outgoing commander of HHBN III Corps, gives a speech on Fort Hood, Tx on June 28, 2022. Thrash talks about his time as commander of HHBN III Corps and thanks the soldiers, his family, and command team.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brian R. Miletich, commander of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, provides remarks during change of responsibility ceremony at Caserma Ederle, Vicenza, Italy Oct. 20, 2022. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, capable of projecting ready forces anywhere in the U.S. European, Africa or Central Commands' areas of responsibility.

Military leaders and distinguished guests took part in the unveiling of the Brig. Gen.l Theodore Roosevelt jr. statue at Sainte Mère-Église on June 6, 2022. The ceremony honored the service of Roosevelt who led several groups of Soldiers at Utah beach during the invasion of Normandy . For his valor, courage, and leadership during the assault on Utah beach, he was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Lt. Col. Patrick Cornwell receives the Minnesota Distinguished Service Medal at Camp Ripley, Minnesota, July 10, 2022. Cornwell served as the Camp Ripley Deputy Commander for 23 months, overseeing the base through a global pandemic and the largest state activation in Minnesota's history."The people up here are great," said Cornwell. "I'm happy to be here on the weekends because I still get to enjoy Camp Ripley and do my best to mentor some of the staff here as we go forward."(Minnesota National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Mahsima Alkamooneh)

Col. William McKibban, 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander, gives opening remarks for Diversity Day, Aug. 12, 2022, on Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. The Spangdahlem Multicultural Awareness Council hosted Diversity Day to recognize and celebrate all the different organizations and groups on base.

On 13 May 2022 at the Fort Dix School House Auditorium the HHC USASA Fort Dix had a Change of Command. The outgoing CDR MAJ William Jolly relinquished Command to MAJ Justin Warrick. Family and Soldiers were present during the ceremony held in the Fort Dix Schoolhouse Auditorium. Comments were made by Base Commander COL John Brierton and MAJ Foster as the narrator of the ceremony. MAJ Jolly has been the HHC Commander for the base shortly after his completion of the General Staff Course at Fort Belvoir. We welcome MAJ Warrick to his new position as the incoming CDR here at the USASA Fort Dix Base. Prior to his arrival at Fort Dix MAJ Warrick had Commanded the 80th Engineer Company, held a position as a Cybersecurity Course Manager, and instructed for the Army National Guard at Camp Robinson, Arkansas. (Photos taken by the Fort Dix TSC Training Support Center)

More than 600 personnel from the Idaho National Guards largest unit deployed August 9 and 10 in support of Operation Spartan Shield in Southwest Asia. Idaho National Guard leadership spoke and bid farewell at the departure. The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Teams Task Force Rattler trained for more than two years in anticipation of this mobilization. Idaho Soldiers will comprise nearly 65 percent of the task force during this rotation, and will include other Soldiers from Montana, Ohio, Oregon and South Carolina. OSS is a joint mission under the United States Central Command and is part of Operation Enduring Freedom. OSS is an ongoing operation and supported primarily by Army National Guard combat units from across the country. The deployment is anticipated to last approximately 12 months and is the second rotation the 116th CBCT is supporting. The first task force deployed in November 2021 and will return in October. The Soldiers mobilizing Wednesday will receive 45 days of additional

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Phillip N. Frietze, commanding general, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, gives his remarks during Capt. Leyvas retirement ceremony at Naval Medical Center San Diego, California, Dec 2, 2022. Capt. Leyva has honorably served 25 years in the Navy.

Governor Tate Reaves addresses the public at a Press Conference held at Joint Force Headquarters, Jackson, Mississippi, Feb. 24, 2024. On February 23rd an Apache Helicopter crashed while on a training flight in a wooded area in Booneville, Prentiss County, Mississippi, and claimed the lives of two Soldiers, who were members of the Mississippi Army National Guard. Air National Guard

Brig. Gen. Moses Kaoiwi delivers the closing remarks to U.S. and Indonesian service members during the closing ceremony of exercise Gema Bhakti 2022, Sep. 16, 2022, Jakarta, Indonesia. Gema Bhakti 22 is a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command joint exercise program event, utilizing U.S. joint forces and TNI Armed Forces working together to increase interoperability and enhance regional stability and security through bilateral and multilateral partnerships.

040127-F-4406B-015. Base: Colorado Springs State: Colorado (CO) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: USNORTHCOM

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael Leeney, commanding general of the 40th Infantry Division, California Army National Guard, speaks during a groundbreaking ceremony, May 19, 2022, for an energy resilience project at Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, California. The project, which will be constructed, owned and operated by Bright Canyon Energy, will generate 26 megawatts of solar photovoltaics, and will include a battery energy storage system, backup generators and a microgrid control system. The project enhances the installations energy resilience by providing power for critical missions for a minimum of two weeks during electrical grid outages. The project supports the Army Climate Strategy goal to build a microgrid on every installation by 2035.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Maurice L. Williams, command chief, Air National Guard, speaks to enlisted Airmen of the 121st Air Refueling Wing, Ohio National Guard at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Columbus, Ohio, October 16, 2022. Williams toured the base during his visit and provided leadership to Airmen, answering questions and listening to the Airmen.

Col. Patrick Monahan, commander of the 166th Regiment Regional Training Institute, addresses candidates at the Officer Candidate School graduation ceremony on August 6, 2022 on Fort Indiantown Gap. Thirty candidates from four states completed the third and final phase of OCS at the 166th Regiment.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael D. Wickman, U.S. Army Europe and Africa deputy commanding general for Army National Guard, addresses the audience during the United States Army North Atlantic Treaty Organization (USANATO) change of command ceremony, July 7, 2022 at Sembach, Germany. Col. Troy V. Alexander assumed command of the unit from Col. Miles T. Gengler.

U.S. Army Col. Matthew James assumes command of the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, Washington National Guard, from Col. James Perrin during a change of command ceremony on Camp Murray, Wash., December 4, 2022. In 2021, Perrin deployed as commander of Task Force Raven, the last U.S. task force to command a full nine-month rotation in the Joint Multinational Training Group-Ukraine.

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rebecca Bateman, 628th Air Base Wing and Joint Base Charleston command chief, provides opening ceremony remarks during a Police Week event at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, May 16, 2022. Bateman connected with Defenders through stories of her time as a Security Forces Airman.

Dr. Paul Stockton, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Americas' Security Affairs, address attendees at the Domestic Preparedness Workshop at the Gaylord National Harbor, Maryland today.

Lt. Col. Schneider Rislin, outgoing 436th Security Forces Squadron commander, thanks his squadron during a change of command ceremony held at The Landings on Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, June 21, 2022. Rislin will be taking on the role of 436th MSG deputy commander.

U.S. Army Central's Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark, speaks to the University of South Carolina chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution in Columbia, S.C., May 11, 2022. USC NSDAR is a non-profit, non-political womens volunteer service organization that serves its community through historic preservation, patriotic endeavors, and promotion of education.

Outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Damon Woolever relinquishes Responsibility of the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery to Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Gregerson during a Change of Responsibility ceremony on Aug. 9, 2022, Fort Bragg, NC. Paratroopers thanked Woolever for his work over the past 21 months and remain excited to see where Gregerson will take the Division Artillery next.

U.S. Space Force Maj. Nathan Glandon, the incoming commander of the 18th Space Defense Squadron Detachment 1, gives remarks during the 18th SDS Det. 1 during an activation and assumption of command ceremony at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado, July 14, 2022. The 18 SDS Det. 1 will provide timely and actionable Space Domain Awareness for emergent and existing threats that are identified by the Joint Task Force-Space Defenses National Space Defense Center as on-orbit threats.

Maj. Macharia Davis assumes command of the District of Columbia National Guard Joint Force Headquarters - Higher Headquarters Detachment, during a Change of Command Ceremony at the D.C. Armory, Feb. 4, 2023. The ceremony symbolized the transfer of command between outgoing commander Maj. LeJuan Strickland and incoming commander Maj. Davis. Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard, commander, D.C. National Guard Land Component Command (LCC) presided over the ceremony. Air National Guard

The 41st Signal Battalion celebrated its 80th birthday on Friday, January 27 on Camp Humphreys. It was a lovely evening of entertainment and camaraderie among teammates and members of the larger Signal community on the peninsula.

MANAMA, Bahrain (Nov. 8, 2022) United Kingdom Royal Navy Commodore Ben Aldous, commander of International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC) and Coalition Task Force Sentinel, speaks to military and industry representatives during IMSCs biannual stakeholders conference in Bahrain, Nov. 8. The half-day conference included speakers and panelists who presented topics on maritime security, coalition and industry partnerships, and innovation.

Master Sgt. Randolph Leyba provides remarks at the Army Field Support Battalion-Germany change of command and assumption of responsibility ceremony at the Tower Barracks main parade field in Grafenwoehr, Germany, June 24. Leybe assumed responsibility as the AFSBn-Germany senior enlisted advisor. (photo by Markus Rauchenberger)

A scene is shown May 10, 2022, of a special signing ceremony for a memorandum/agreement between the Ho-Chunk Nation and Fort McCoy in Black River Falls, Wis. The ceremony was held at the Ho-Chunk Nation Tribal Office Building on the east side of Black River Falls and included Fort McCoy Garrison Commander Col. Michael Poss and Command Sgt. Maj. Raquel DiDomenico, garrison command sergeant major, and Ho-Chunk Nation Chief Clayton Winneshiek and Ho-Chunk Nation President Marlon WhiteEagle. This memorandum of understanding between the Ho-Chunk Nation and Fort McCoy represents Fort McCoys assumption of the U.S. Armys legal responsibility under multiple federal laws and presidential executive orders to protect natural, historic, and sacred places with traditional religious and cultural importance to all Native American peoples, but especially those of the Ho Chunk Nation, on whos aboriginal territory the Fort McCoy military installation is now located.

of 3