The 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) conducts a change of command ceremony

Photo By Master Sgt. Anthony Elliott | The colors are returned to Command Sgt. Major Thomas Wrighton, Command Sgt. Major, 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) (18th MEDCOM (DS)) during the change of command ceremony held at Fort Shafter, Hawaii on July 10, 2014. It is the Command Sgt. Major’s duty to safeguard the unit’s colors, and by the incoming commander, Col. Ann Sammartino, passing the colors back to Wrighton, she has demonstrated the trust and confidence that she is placing in Wrighton and the other noncommissioned officers of the unit.  

HI, UNITED STATES

07.10.2015

Story by Spc. Lauren Cole 

Medical Readiness Command, Pacific

FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII – The 18th Medical Command (Deployment Support) (18th MEDCOM (DS)) held their change of command ceremony, here, at historic Palm Circle, on July 10, 2015.

In what was a morning filled with rain showers, it too was filled with sorrow and happiness as Col. Bret Ackermann, outgoing Commander, relinquished Command of the 18th MEDCOM (DS) to Col. Ann Sammartino, the incoming Commander.

Ackermann will be staying on Oahu, moving over to assume duties as the Deputy Surgeon General for the Pacific Command (PACOM) after successfully fulfilling his duties as the Pacific Knights' Commander.

During Ackermann’s time with the 18th MEDCOM (DS), he led his Command in support multiple exercises and operations throughout the Asia-Pacific area of responsibility; providing mission command, administrative assistance and technical supervision of assigned and attached medical units throughout the region.

Ackermann masterfully managed the 18th MEDCOM (DS), which was charged with supporting the shared lines of effort of the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) and the Regional Health Command – Pacific (RHC-P).

The Host Commander for the Change of Command Ceremony was Brig. Gen. Patrick Sargent, Commanding General, Regional Health Command – Pacific (RHC-P).

“As the operational arm of the newly establish Regional Health Command – Pacific, I can assure you that the 18th MEDCOM has played a pivotal role in providing precise synchronized healthcare support, which has yielded tremendous successes in support of the PACOM and USARPAC leaders’ campaign plans,” said Sargent.

Sargent went on to express his gratitude for the two years of loyal service which Ackermann gave to the 18th MEDCOM (DS), USARPAC and RHC-P; Sargent then went on to graciously welcome Sammartino into the Pacific’s Army Medicine Ohana.

During his address, Ackermann was thankful for the loyalty and dedicated service of the Soldiers, Noncommissioned Officers and Officers during his time with the 18th MEDCOM (DS); and he went on to thank his peers throughout the Military Medical community.

“To my brother and sister commanders here in the Pacific, both among USARPAC and RHC-P teams, thank you for your personal friendship and mentorship as well as the professional collaboration your staffs have had with ours.” said Ackermann, “Every day these relationships get stronger and stronger; therefore USARPAC and RHC-P get stronger and stronger. Within both USARPAC and RHC-P, “One Team” is not simply a cool bumper sticker phrase, it is literally a way of life here.”

Sammartino too thanked the Soldiers; she thanked them for the opportunity to serve as their Commander and for the promise of things to come for the 18th MEDCOM (DS).

“I hope to shape and set the conditions for the 18th Medical Command and its Soldiers for success,” said Sammartino, “To the staff and the Soldiers of the 18th Medical Command you’re outstanding, I’m here to serve you and lead you.”

Sammartino’s most recent, previous, assignment was as the Commander of the 30th Medical Command (DS), Sembach, Germany and 212th Combat Support Hospital (CSH), Miesau, Germany.

• Date Taken: 07.10.2015
• Date Posted: 07.11.2015 01:47
• Story ID: 169749
• Location: HI, US
• Hometown: BATON ROUGE, LA, US
• Hometown: PROVIDENCE, RI, US