Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jaquetta Gooden | Soldiers of Task Force Talon stand in formation during a change of command ceremony...... read more read more
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam – Soldiers, family members and friends joined together in front of the 36th Wing Headquarters to bid farewell to Lt. Col Clyde Cochrane, Task Force Talon Commander (out-going) and welcome Lt. Col. Jeff Slown, Task Force Talon Commander (in-coming), during a change of command ceremony, April 14.
The ceremony included the Lt. Gov. of Guam, Raymond S. Tenorio and Brig. Gen. Eric Sanchez, commander, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, as the guest speakers.
During the ceremony Sanchez applauded Cochrane and his team for their dedication and sacrifice during his tenure as the Task Force Talon commander.
“When future leaders look back on this pivotal time in our history, they will marvel at what Lt. Col. Cochrane and his team of professionals accomplished, “said Sanchez.
“They established [Terminal High Altitude Area Defense] initial operational capability on Guam in just 15 days and have maintained the mission for two years while aggressively improving the infrastructure.”
April 4, 2013, marked two years since the order was put out authorizing the deployment of a THAAD battery to the island of Guam. Since then Cochrane and his team were able to fully integrate into the homeland and U.S. Pacific Command missile defense architectures.
“Lt. Col. Cochrane has overseen several improvements in support of the THAAD battery which includes a radar pad, launcher pads, a power grid infrastructure and a robust security system,” express Sanchez.
Cochrane highlighted the Soldiers of the task force, both past and present, for all of their hard work during his time in command.
“There have been numerous units that have supported our mission here in Guam that include security forces, military police, engineers, cavalry, artillery and now infantry,” shared Cochrane.
“I have been honored to see the Soldiers both past and present execute their mission here, they have all done an amazing job enhancing their ability and expertise of the overall assigned mission.”
After two years in command Cochrane now passes the colors to Slown as the next commander of the task force.
“It is an honor to be selected as the second commander of Task Force Talon,” expressed Slown.
“Brig. Gen. Sanchez thank you for entrusting me with this great honor to lead, train and care for the Soldier, leaders, contractors and families of this tremendous organization.”
As the ceremony came to a close Cochrane shared some final words for the command that he help stand up.
“I leave here knowing that the Task Force will continue to grow and excel at it’s assigned mission,” said Cochrane.
“Lt. Col. Slown you are getting a great group of Soldiers and I know that you will take this task force to the next level and beyond.”
Cochrane will now head to Alabama where he will be assigned to the Missile Defense Agency.
| Date Taken: | 04.14.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2015 21:40 |
| Story ID: | 160405 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 236 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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