Photo By David Poe | Chief Warrant Officer 4 Ron Kuntz, the 338th Army Band commander, leads his Soldiers...... read more read more
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The 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss welcomed their newest commanding general during a change of command ceremony at 1st Lt. Paul A. Noel Parade Field on West Fort Bliss July 12.
Lt. Gen. Laura Richardson, the U.S. Army Forces Command deputy commanding general, presided over the ceremony that saw Maj. Gen. Patrick Matlock, a U.S. Military Academy graduate and a Joint Qualified Officer, succeed Maj. Gen. Pat White as the newest “Old Ironsides” commander.
A “thrilled” Matlock said he and his wife Jacqueline were excited to be back in El Paso and the Borderland. Matlock served as the 1st AD chief of staff in 2012.
“Your ready friendship and love of family and patriotism are the hallmarks of your communities,” he said from the podium. “Thank you for the great support you give our Soldiers and their families in your homes. Anyone who has been stationed at Fort Bliss for just a little while knows how blessed we are to live in such an awesome community.”
He also recognized the strength of the bonds between the 1st AD and partners such as the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Joint Task Force-North and U.S. Army Joint Modernization Command, all of which have considerable footprints in the region and stressed the importance of continued partnership.
The ceremony included a traditional “Trooping the Line” by the three generals and a Pass and Review by Matlock as his family joined him in the reviewer’s box. Col. John Cushing, the 1st AD chief of staff, served as the commander of troops for the ceremony.
In his remarks, White, who has recently returned from deployment with the 1st AD’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion in March, said he wanted to acknowledge “the most lethal formation in the Army today.”
“This morning it’s about our Soldiers, those on the field, those who are training as I speak, those deployed who are representing our nation’s might,” White told assembled Soldiers and guests. “It’s about our civilian workforce and our joint, interagency and coalition partners, and our families that make daily sacrifices to enable the magnificent formation you see on the field before you.”
Bound for duty in Europe, White, among many thanks, thanked his wife Emma for her support of him, the division and Fort Bliss. “When we walk into a room, everyone knows who you are, and you introduce me to the crowd that’s there as ‘Pat,’” he said.
He also recognized partners in El Paso and the region who continue to steward a positive relationship with the Army here in the Borderland. During his 25 months in command, “Iron Soldiers” deployed to 27 countries, which included participating in offensives credited for “breaking the back” of ISIS in Iraq and Syria, as well as many other accomplishments the set standards for the Army downrange and at home.
“We were honored with the privilege to lead ‘America’s finest,’” White said, “and to be a part of an amazing community that’s focused on taking care of each other.”
Minutes into his new position as the 1st AD and Fort Bliss commanding general, a “humbled” Matlock told assembled Iron Soldiers that no matter what the world brings, it will be business as usual for America’s Tank Division going forward.
“No one can predict what the next months and years will hold for us and what missions we’ll receive, but I can guarantee you this, our execution of every mission will be characterized by discipline, teamwork, speed and violence, and when necessary, restraint and patience,” Matlock said. “I look forward to these missions and thank you and your families for your continued service, commitment and dedication to duty.”
To learn more about Iron 6, the 1st AD and Fort Bliss’ newest commanding general, visit https://www.bliss.army.mil/Leaders/CommandingGeneral.html.
| Date Taken: | 07.12.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.26.2018 19:58 |
| Story ID: | 285931 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 93 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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