Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kissta DiGregorio | Maj. Gen. John W. Nicholson Jr., right, shakes hands with Brig. Gen. Richard D. Clarke...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - In a time-honored tradition that dates back centuries, the 82nd Airborne Division conducted a change of command ceremony, Oct. 3 at Pike Field.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Richard D. Clarke assumed command of the division from Maj. Gen. John W. Nicholson, Jr.
The ceremony was filled with all of the pageantry that is associated with a division review, including a performance by the All American Chorus and a pass in review.
Lt. Gen. Joseph Anderson, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, presided over the ceremony. He commended Nicholson for his accomplishments while in command of the division.
“He is a dedicated commander who seeks excellence in everything he does. This has been evident throughout his career, but more importantly by what the 82nd has accomplished during his time in command,” said Anderson.
Anderson talked about how the 82nd re-established its role as a key element of the Global Response Force and how the division has expanded its integration with special operations forces and international allies during the past two years.
This division has been fortunate to have such a strong commander during a time of uncertainty and change, he added.
Nicholson hailed the accomplishments of the more than 19,000 paratroopers who were under his command for almost two years and acknowledged 3,400 division paratroopers currently serving in harm’s way.
“These paratroopers have advanced the state of the art of training and readiness for our Army, with the most complex and challenging decisive action training programs undertaken in over a decade,” added Nicholson.
He thanked the paratroopers for their service, both for volunteering to serve during the nation’s longest war, but also for being exceptional men and women.
“It’s an honor to serve, it’s an honor to serve with you and it’s been the greatest honor to be your commander,” added Nicholson, whose next assignment will be in Izmir, Turkey as commander, Allied Land Command, NATO.
As he concluded his remarks, Nicholson said that there was no finer officer and leader to take the reins of the division than Brig. Gen. Richard Clarke.
Clarke, who was most recently the commandant of cadets at the United States Military Academy, said he and his family are humbled to be joining the ranks of the division again and excited to come back to the Fayetteville area, which they consider to be one of the best places to be stationed thanks to a supportive local community.
Clarke acknowledged those who he has served with for making him the leader that he is today. He also took time to thank Nicholson for his contributions as the commander of the All American Division, telling the audience that he set the division on a tremendous glide path.
As Clarke continued with his remarks, he spoke directly to the sea of sun-drenched paratroopers on the parade field.
“What I pledge to this entire division, with all my heart and all my soul, is that I will give 100 percent every day, and that I will lead by example in all regards,” he said. Clarke continued, promising he would do everything he could to ensure that the paratroopers and families of the division are well-resourced and well-led.
As the mission of the 82nd continues to evolve, Clarke asked one thing of those under his command.
“What I ask of each of each of you is that you be ready to go when your nation calls,” he said.
As a key element of the Global Response Force, the division could be called upon and be required to deploy anywhere in the world in as little as 18 hours. Clarke told his troopers that failure is not an option. He said he has the utmost confidence in the ability of the paratroopers in his formation to answer that call when it comes, and that the high level of professionalism and competence exhibited by the All Americans will be the key to overall mission success.
“We must be ready. We will be ready,” he concluded.
| Date Taken: | 10.03.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 10.03.2014 17:27 |
| Story ID: | 144262 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 2,385 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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