SMDC welcomes newest CCWO

Photo By Jason Cutshaw | Lt. Gen. Daniel L. Karbler, left, commanding general of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command passes the command chief warrant officer charter to Chief Warrant Officer 5 Anson L. Seebeck, incoming SMDC CCWO during a Change of Charter, Sept. 27, at the command’s Redstone Arsenal headquarters. Seebeck assumes responsibility from SMDC’s first CCWO Chief Warrant Officer 5 Wesley Klees. (U.S. Army photo by Jason Cutshaw)  

REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL, UNITED STATES

09.27.2021

Story by Jason Cutshaw 

U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama – The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command welcomes its second command chief warrant officer during a Change of Charter, Sept. 27, at the command’s Redstone Arsenal headquarters.

Chief Warrant Officer 5 Anson L. Seebeck, who most recently served as the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command CCWO, assumed responsibility from Chief Warrant Officer 5 Wesley Klees.

Seebeck thanked SMDC’s leadership for allowing him the opportunity to serve the men and women of the command, and his family for their support.

“I have been struck by the scale of the organization and myriad missions that fall to the officers, NCOs, Soldiers and civilians of this global command,” Seebeck said. “Team SMDC is an amazing and unique organization that really gets after what riles our adversaries. My understanding of what riles these folks is our capabilities that they cannot counter, destroy, negate or replicate in time.”

Seebeck said he appreciates the opportunity to follow Klees, who is also a good friend, in serving the command and said it was an honor to relieve him. Klees, who served as the command’s CCWO for two years, was the first to hold the position.

“I’m humbled to have served as the first CCWO and thank (former USASDMC commanding general) Gen. James Dickinson for establishing the position and investing into the professional development and talent management of our warrant officers,” Klees said.

He said that he could not have asked for a better leader than USASMDC’s current commanding general, Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler to serve under for his last post.

“I’m a better leader and person, and I appreciate your unwavering support the last two years,” Klees said. “Thank you for making ‘People First’ more than a motto.”

Klees said when he joined the Warrant Officer Corps more than 20 years ago they were an element all to themselves, and although they have grown tremendously during that time, they must continue to improve going forward.

“To the SMDC warrant officers, thank you for what you do every day,” Klees said. “You continue to provide the expertise to enable our space and missile defense missions. During the challenges of COVID, the command was able to maintain 24/7 global operations because of our people across the board. But it isn’t forgotten that there were great ‘quiet professionals’ behind the scenes enabling that capability.”

Klees thanked his wife, Rhonda, and his family for their support throughout his career.

“This job requires sacrifice, but I think we all know it’s our families that sacrifice the most, and I can never thank you enough,” Klees said.

• Date Taken: 09.27.2021
• Date Posted: 09.28.2021 08:22
• Story ID: 406120
• Location: REDSTONE ARSENAL, AL, US