U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station welcomes new commander

By Lauren Hall, U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station Public AffairsSeptember 23, 2013

U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station welcomes new commander
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U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station welcomes new commander
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U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station welcomes new commander
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – OKINAWA, Japan (June 25, 2013) -- Members of the 247th Military Police Battalion served as the color guard for the U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station change of command ceremony held on Torii Beach June 21. Department of the Army civilians and Japanese... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

OKINAWA, Japan (June 24, 2013) -- Lt. Col. Eric A. Martinez took command of U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station during a change of command ceremony held on Torii Beach June 21.

The event began with a performance by taiko drummers from the 15th Brigade Infantry Unit, Japanese Ground Self Defense Service, who provided a piece of traditional Okinawan culture to start the ceremony.

Three platoons stood in formation during the ceremony including Department of the Army Civilians and Japanese employees from U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station, members of Torii Station Fire and Emergency Services and Torii Station's Security Guard Forces. The Color Guard consisted of members of the 247th Military Police Detachment.

Martinez, whose first duty station was at Camp Zama, Japan, said that he is excited to be back in Japan and that he and his wife, Heidi, and their two daughters, Bridget and Crystal, already feel at home here in Okinawa.

U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station was activated on July 11, 2011, when the unit was officially recognized by Headquarters, Department of the Army as a battalion with its first Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Cory Anderton, and first Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Nolan.

The garrison's mission is to support U.S. Army Japan and installation partners on Okinawa to ensure mission readiness and the quality of life of the Army community in a sustainable, transforming joint and combined environment.

The Regional Director, Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Pacific, Ms. Debra Zedalis, passed the unit colors to Martinez during the change of command ceremony.

The passing of the organizational colors signifies an important Army tradition, representing the formal transfer of all responsibility for the unit to the new commander.

"Lt. Col. Martinez is a distinguished Soldier and an experienced, educated leader," said Zedalis. "Eric, on behalf of the entire IMCOM Pacific Region and in particular, your U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station, I welcome you to your new home. I know you will find your tour here both professionally rewarding and personally enhancing."

Martinez has previously served with the Oklahoma City Military Entrance Processing Station, 546th Personnel Services Battalion, 13th Corps Support Command, III Corps, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, San Juan (Puerto Rico) Military Entrance Processing Station, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel & Readiness) and Special Operations Command South. Prior to his arrival in Okinawa he served as the Deputy G1/C1 for Third Army/United States Army Central (Forward) at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.

Torii Station is the premier base operations support provider to Army units in Asia and remains committed to its motto: "Sustain, Support and Defend" America's Army as it accomplishes its mission.

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