U.S. Soldiers, civilian employees and family members gathered at Caserma Ederle for the U.S. Army Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment 509th Strategic Signal Battalion change of command ceremony, featuring incoming Capt. Nicola J. Newton and outgoing Capt. Jertil N. Robinson, in Vicenza, Italy, June 3, 2026. The master of ceremonies, Mr. Randall W. Jackson, narrated the event, highlighting the history of the 509th SSB and importance of this command transition. The change of command ceremony is a tradition dating back to the Roman era, when military leaders would pass a baton, colors, standards, or insignias that symbolized the passing of command to subordinates in attendance, ensuring unit members were never without official...
Dan K. Wiley, left, national commander of the American Legion, meets with Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, right, commander of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, at the Eternal Flame memorial on Caserma Ederle during Wiley’s visit to Vicenza, Italy, May 29, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Davide Dalla Massara)
