93rd Civil Support Team Change of Command Ceremony

Photo By Spc. Paul Berzinas | Guests congratulate Lt. Col. Lance A. Okamura after a change of command ceremony for the 93rd Civil Support Team at the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team headquarters in Kalaeloa on July 11, 2015. Okamura, the outgoing 93rd CST commander, placed a heavy emphasis on interagency coordination during his command of the unit.  

KALAELOA, HI, UNITED STATES

07.11.2015

Story by Pfc. Paul Berzinas 

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii)

KALAELOA, Hawaii - A change of command ceremony was held for the 93rd Civil Support Team in Kalaeloa, Hawaii, on July 11, 2015.

Lt. Col. Alvin H. Sato Jr., the first airman to assume command the 93rd CST, succeeded Lt. Col. Lance A. Okamura during the ceremony, which took place at the at the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team headquarters.
Sato served with the 93rd CST for 11 years, spending eight years as the team science officer and three years as deputy commander.

The Air Force provides additional expertise to help the 93rd CST accomplish its mission, said Okamura, the outgoing commander of the CST.

“We want to bring in the Air Force’s unique abilities to help enhance our mission readiness,” said Okamura. “Quite honestly, regardless of which service we’re from, our primary mission is to support civil authorities.”

While in command of the 93rd CST, Okamura emphasized fostering healthy interagency relationships with civil authorities.

“I’m really proud of the fact that this team has enhanced and built strong interagency relationships with first response and emergency management agencies, not just in the state of Hawaii, but throughout the Pacific region,” said Okamura.
The civil support team’s primary mission is to assist civil authorities in responding to domestic chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive hazards and disasters.
Looking forward, Sato says he is primarily concerned with administering effective training and increasing the mission readiness of the civil support team.

“Big things for us are going to be mission preparedness and working toward being one of the top civil support teams,” said Sato.

The fact that Sato is the first airman to command the 93rd CST is especially significant considering that the team is primarily comprised of Army personnel.

“The majority of this unit is Army,” Said Okamura. “So the fact that Lt. Col. Sato is able to serve as our commander is a really big deal, I’m really proud of the fact that I got to promote him serving as my successor.”

“It’s an honor and a privilege to be able to lead the men and women of the 93rd CST,” said Sato. “It’s very humbling, and I appreciate the opportunity.”

• Date Taken: 07.11.2015
• Date Posted: 07.12.2015 16:16
• Story ID: 169800
• Location: KALAELOA, HI, US