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With the colors in hand, Maj. Michael Stribrny took command of the 773rd Civil Support Team from Lt. Col. Timothy Pelfrey during a relinquishment of command ceremony May 9 on NCO Field at Daenner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern.
Brig. Gen. Jimmie Jaye Wells, the commanding general of the 7th Civil Support Command, was the presiding officer for the ceremony. General Wells thanked Colonel Pelfrey for an extraordinary job and for his devotion to the Soldiers, family and the command for the last two years.
“Pelfrey spent a lot of time making sure his unit was prepared for their real-world mission by exceeding every goal,” General Wells said. “It’s bitter sweet, because I am sad to see him go, but I am excited to see Major Stribrny continue to make the 773rd a successful command.”
The 773rd CST is the only active Army Reserve civil support team stationed outside of the continental U.S. and its territories and is capable of deploying in support of U.S. Army Europe in response to a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incident.
Major Stribrny, a native of Toledo, Ohio, has served with the unit since 2009 as the deputy commander and understands the challenges of his new position. He thanked his superiors for their trust, confidence and support in choosing him to lead the 773rd CST.
“I look forward to continuing to serve with and for these great American Soldiers,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Patricia E. McQuistion, the commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, and her senior enlisted adviser, Command Sgt. Maj. James E. Spencer, attended the ceremony, as well as Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Biere, the command sergeant major of the 7th CSC. Command teams, Soldiers and civilians from the Kaiserslautern community were also in attendance.
“Major Stribrny is more than capable of doing this job,” said Staff Sgt. Timothy Butler, the survey team chief for the 773rd CST. “As for the training, he is experienced and knows exactly what is going on.”
Although the Soldiers of the unit will miss the outgoing commander, they said they look forward to supporting future missions throughout USAREUR.
“What a journey the past two years have been,” Major Pelfrey said. “The 773rd has come a long way in a short time and has become one of the premiere chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear units in USAREUR.”
