Photo By Sgt. Chris Stephens | Col. Wallace E. Steinbrecher addresses Soldiers from the 201st Regional Support...... read more read more
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MARIETTA, Ga. — “Hazard six is on the net and ready to receive traffic.”
That was the message new 201st Regional Support Group, FEMA Region IV Homeland Response Force, commander Col. Wallace E. Steinbrecher had for the Soldiers and leaders of the unit after he took command from Col. Vernon C. Atkinson II during a ceremony at Clay National Guard Center April 18.
Steinbrecher takes over a unit that accomplished many missions under Atkinson, to include, the response during Snowpocalypse February 2014 in which the Georgia National Guard was called to active duty to support the snowstorm that hit the metro-Atlanta area.
“I’m more than honored to take this position and more than looking forward to it,” Steinbrecher said. “In my short time around the Soldiers in this unit, what I’ve found is that this unit is as tight and strapped as I’ve seen in my 33 years of service.”
It was Atkinson who played a large role in the readiness of the unit after taking over when it was in its infancy.
“I’m proud of the way we’ve been able to integrate our state force, FEMA, GEMA and Air Force into our overall mission,” Atkinson said. “We’ve truly become one of the best Homeland Response Forces in the country.”
In addition to Georgia the 201st RSG/HRF supports other states in Region IV, which include Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina and North Carolina.
That statement could not have been more true than at the recent Vigilant Guard training exercise throughout South Carolina. Members of the 201st RSG/HRF, supported South Carolina, ensuring that should a disaster ever strike, they would be ready to answer the call.
“This unit is capable of even bigger and better things,” Atkinson said. “Everybody is looking for solutions and looking to get the job done.”
As Steinbrecher moves into command, there is a lot he still has to learn, but said he is more than ready for the challenge of leading the Homeland Response Force.
“Gen. Douglass McArthur said that an officer is just as good or bad as those under him,” Steinbrecher said. “We have many challenges that we must meet and we’re going to be prepared to meet those challenges.”
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.20.2015 10:20 |
| Story ID: | 160522 |
| Location: | MARIETTA, GA, US |
| Hometown: | JESUP, GA, US |
| Hometown: | LAWRENCEVILLE, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 158 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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