Photo By Gregg Moore | Brig. Gen. David E. Elwell, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command incoming...... read more read more
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LOS ANGELES – Brig. Gen. David E. Elwell, a Des Moines, Iowa, resident, assumed command of the 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command January 25, in a change of command ceremony at the West Los Angeles U.S. Army Reserve Center.
Maj. Gen. Megan P. Tatu, 79th Sustainment Support Command commanding general, located at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos, was present to transfer the unit colors to Elwell from Maj. Gen. Scottie D. Carpenter, who has led the unit for two years.
Brig. Gen. Elwell graduated from Drake University in Des Moines and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Transportation Corps in 1985. Throughout his more than 29 years of active and reserve service, he has commanded at every level from platoon to brigade, to battalion command in Afghanistan.
There were clear skies at the West Los Angeles center and the Soldiers and guests in attendance enjoyed a pleasant event.
During her opening remarks Maj. Gen. Tatu said, “When general Carpenter took over this unit, he had to prepare it to deploy to Afghanistan and did an outstanding job. And, he also took this unit from fourth to second out of four ESCs, and the top ESC was only half as large.”
Maj. Gen. Tatu then addressed her remarks to Brig. Gen. Elwell and said, “You have proven yourself to be an accomplished leader and I know you will keep your Soldiers ready for deployment.”
The ceremony began with the traditional ceremonial pageantry. The standing units were summoned to order arms. The audience stood for the presentation of the colors and honors, and the units were brought to present arms, then to parade rest. These displays of uniformity were executed with discipline and precision.
Maj. Gen. Carpenter thanked his Soldiers and said that he had learned a lot from them saying, “When I met with you I always wanted to know what you were doing. Together we did good work and I thank you for helping me accomplish the mission.”
Brig. Gen. Elwell was enthusiastic and energized as he accepted the 311th ESC command, turning to Maj. Gen. Tatu and saying, “I accept this command!”
Brig. Gen. Elwell was aware of the responsibilities of his new unit. He used the Battle of the Bulge as an example of the importance of a supporting unit. This was a major German offensive campaign launched toward the end of World War II in Europe.
“The reason why we won that battle was because the U.S. Army in the field was supported and the reason why the German Army was defeated was because they could not keep up,” said Brig. Gen. Elwell. “We will continue to train and be ready if the president calls upon us no matter what enemy, including ISIS, threatens us.”
The ceremony concluded with a cake and celebration with Brig. Gen. Elwell’s wife, son, daughters and extended family.
The 311th ESC dates back to the post World War II period, during which the U.S. Army recognized that there was a large number of logistically qualified Army Reserve Soldiers in the Southern California area.
The 311th ESC’s primary mission is to command the sustainment brigades that provide combat support and combat service support in the areas of supply, maintenance, transportation, field services and the functional brigades or battalions.
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 01.27.2015 10:36 |
| Story ID: | 152833 |
| Location: | LOS ANGELES, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 998 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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