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Army Lt. Col. Bidemi Y. Olaniyi-Leyimu (left), Medical Support Unit-Europe incoming commander, receives the unit guidon from Brig. Gen. Arlan M. DeBlieck, commander of the 7th Civil Support Command, during a ceremony held July 11 on the Daenner Kaserne parade field. The passing of the guidon is a tradition symbolizing the changing of command.
Soldiers, families and friends of the Medical Support Unit-Europe welcomed Lt. Col. Bidemi Y. Olaniyi-Leyimu during a July 11 change of command ceremony at Daenner Kaserne.
Olaniyi-Leyimu, a medical officer who earned her doctor of medicine from the University of Maryland, assumed command of the unit from Col. Jenifer Hug during a ceremony officiated by Brig. Gen. Arlan DeBlieck, commander of the 7th Civil Support Command.
“The MSU-E will be gaining a truly great leader in Lt. Col. Olaniyi-Leyimu. I’ve heard nothing but great things about her abilities. She respects and values her team,” DeBlieck said. “I have no doubt she’ll bring great ideas and enthusiasm to the MSU-E.”
Olaniyi-Leyimu thanked Col. Hug for her reception and mentoring. She then spoke words of encouragement to her fellow Soldiers.
“I look forward to working with you to solve the tough problems to take this unit to the next level,” Olaniyi-Leyimu said.
Under Col. Hug, the MSU-E not only survived, but thrived, DeBlieck said. The MSU-E’s achievements nest with the enduring priorities set by the commander of U.S. Army Europe, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, he said.
Hug oversaw growth in the unit, increasing from 46 to 93 Soldiers, while unit initiatives enhanced the readiness of Reserve and active-duty Soldiers. MSU-E led community outreach for the U.S. Army in Germany by showcasing its capabilities for the past three years at Rheinland-Pfalz Tag.
Recently, MSU-E took part in the 7th CSC exercise DAIMIEL 15 in Spain, working alongside Spanish army emergency management units. MSU-E Soldiers also ran medical clinics for civilians in Africa.
“The unit has accomplished great things during her tenure, especially when viewed in line with the USAREUR commander’s ‘Strong Europe’ priorities,” DeBlieck said.
