405th AFSB welcomes new commander

The 405th Army Field Support Brigade welcomed Col. Ronald Green as its new commander during a change of command ceremony today on the parade field at Daenner Kaserne. During the ceremony, the brigade also bid a fond farewell to outgoing commander Col. John Haley.

Maj. Gen. Yves Fontaine, commander of the U.S. Army Sustainment Command, served as the reviewing officer for the ceremony and praised Colonel Haley for his accomplishments during his tenure as brigade commander.

“You and your team have done a magnificent job of taking on large, complex missions and making it look easy,” General Fontaine said. “You have been given a lot of challenges, and you have overcome them all through your leadership, dedication, focus and basic hard work.”

Colonel Haley, who called the ceremony “bittersweet,” reflected on his past two years as a brigade commander, recognizing that the change of command marks “the realization of unmet goals, missions not quite completed and the simple fact that, as a commander, your time is up.”

However, he was quick to point out that the ceremony is also an exciting time, “an event of renewal with the promise of bigger and better things ahead under new
leadership.”

General Fontaine welcomed Colonel Green as the new commander and emphasized his trust in Colonel Green’s capabilities, adding that he knew Colonel Green well as Colonel Green served as both a company commander and a battalion commander under General Fontaine’s command.

“You are coming here to Kaiserslautern with a wealth of experience,” General Fontaine said, noting Colonel Green’s numerous logistics assignments at previous organizations, including service as a division medical logistics officer and logistics operations officer, among others.

During his speech, Colonel Green noted that being granted command during a time of war is a “distinct honor.”

“I’m well aware of the privilege that has been given to me today,” he said. “Thank you to Colonel Haley for everything you’ve done for us and this command. We will work to build on your legacy.”

Colonel Green comes to the brigade from the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan, where he served as the CJ-4. Colonel Haley’s next assignment will be with the U.S. Army Materiel Command in Fort Belvoir, Va.