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Sunny skies, countless dignitaries and a marching band usually signify that a memorable gathering is in the works, and for the hundreds in attendance at Rhine Ordnance Barracks July 10, they weren’t disappointed. All the above ingredients combined to add plenty of pageantry and fanfare to a 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command change of command ceremony, paying tribute to a glorious past that’s helping to pave the way to a brighter future.
Col. Gregory Brady assumed leadership of the 10th AAMDC from Col. Stephen Richmond during the morning ceremony presided over by Maj. Gen. Richard Longo, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Europe.
The significance of it all wasn’t lost on Brady, the new 10th AAMDC commander who made welcoming comments and thanked Richmond for his strong leadership of the “European Defender” missile command.
For Brady, this new assignment marks not only another duty posting to Germany, but a chance to get reacquainted with the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, a subordinate unit of the 10th AAMDC.
As a younger officer, Brady served with the 5-7 ADA when the unit was stationed in Bitburg.
More importantly, Brady thanked Richmond for what he leaves behind — a highly trained, deployment-tested unit that’s proven itself capable during multiple assignments in Turkey, Poland and Israel over the last two years. The 10th AAMDC provides command and control for U.S. European Command missile defense, working closely with NATO and other partner nations to provide security against ballistic missile threats.
“You’ve set us up for success,” said Brady, who told his new Soldiers that he looks forward to serving alongside them as they tackle future challenges.
Richmond used his remarks to not only say goodbye to the 10th AAMDC Soldiers, but also to the many people along the way who made his 27-year Army career so rewarding.
“These Soldiers before me are the best our country has to offer,” he said, adding his thanks for their assistance in making him a better officer with thought-provoking discussions and regular camaraderie.
“Your enthusiasm and competence motivated me to do better, and I would gladly serve in any of your formations,” Richmond said.
Of all the family members, spouses and other friends who make and have made uniformed service more enjoyable, however, Richmond was most appreciative toward a special person in attendance.
“Marrying you was the best decision of my life,” he said to his wife, Tonia. The Richmonds are the parents of three adult children, one of whom attended the event and received a shell casing as a memento from the artillery salute used in the ceremony.
Following the formal change-of-command ceremony, Soldiers of the command and other guests attended a luncheon reception welcoming the new commander, who earlier summed up his thoughts on his new assignment.
“I consider it an honor and privilege to be your commander,” Brady said.
