New commander takes 19th BCD helm

Although small in numbers, the 19th Battlefield Coordination Detachment has accomplished some amazing things these past two years, said Maj. Gen. James C. Boozer, U.S. Army Europe deputy commanding general.

From the unit’s participation in the U.S.-led air campaign in Libya, Operation Odyssey Dawn, to increasing the communication between the different military branches and even foreign artillery units, Boozer noted how effective the unit has been during a change of command ceremony conducted at the Ramstein Officers’ Club June 27.

The event saw the Ramstein-based unit’s colors pass from Col. Stephen J. Maranian to Col. Steven L. Hite.

The 19th BCD, which was originally formed in 1997, coordinates between Army and joint forces commanders to synchronize maneuver and fire support by providing pre-planned and immediate targeting support, intelligence exchange, airspace coordination, theater airlift coordination, and overall friendly and enemy situation awareness.

 “(Maranian) and the 19th BCD, under Steve’s superb leadership, have accomplished an incredible amount in a short time with even smaller number of resources,” Boozer said. “That’s the 19th BCD — small, effective, well-led and a learning organization that just keeps getting better and better….the 19th BCD is, Soldier for Soldier, the most strategically critical and talented formation in the Army.”

During the ceremony, Maranian also took time to note that the unit has made a well-deserved name for itself within the USAREUR, U.S. Air Force and artillery communities.

“You have earned your reputation through hard work, professionalism and agility,” said Maranian, who will be leaving soon to serve as the next class president for the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa. “You have made it easy to lead you and fun to serve with you.”

Hite said he looks forward to continuing Maranian’s work and is excited about the opportunity to build new and stronger relationships between the Army and Air Force.

“I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead of us,” said Hite, who is coming to Germany from the Army War College. “The world situation can change at the speed of an electron flowing through the interconnected networks around the world and Team 19 remains ready for the challenges that lie ahead.”