Terry assumes command during first Third Army/ARCENT change of command ceremony in S.C.

By Spc. Sharmain Burch, Third Army/ARCENT Public AffairsJune 25, 2013

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1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (June 25, 2013) - (At left) Lt. Gen. James L. Terry receives the Third Army colors from Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. John F. Campbell assuming command of Third Army/ARCENT during a change of command ceremony held at ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. (June 25, 2013) - Lt. Gen. James L. Terry, commanding general Third Army/ARCENT, addresses the local leadership, Third Army Soldiers, Families and civilians for the first time during a change of command ceremony held at Patt... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Lt. Gen. James L. Terry assumed command of Third Army/ARCENT from Lt. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks at Lucky Park here today during the unit's first change of command since relocating to South Carolina.

Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. John F. Campbell presided over the ceremony, which represents an official transfer of authority and responsibility from one commanding officer to another. Campbell expressed confidence in Terry's ability to command Third Army/ARCENT.

"I am honored to be here today to celebrate the passing of colors between two great Army leaders and recognize the accomplishment of Third Army," said Campbell. "We are fortunate to have Lt. Gen. James Terry assume responsibility of commanding the United States' theater army for the Middle East and Central Asia. He is intricately familiar with the complexity and operations in Afghanistan and the challenges that lie ahead."

A historic Army tradition, the ceremony ensures the unit is never without leadership and displays an allegiance from the Soldiers to their new commander.

"I am familiar with Third Army, I understand our mission and I'm certain our nation's leaders will call upon us in the days ahead," said Terry. "I look forward to sharing the challenges with every member of this team and I want to hear from each of you as I travel throughout the region. To all the members of Shaw Air Force Base, I am proud to serve beside you."

Terry assumed command following an assignment as V Corps commander in Wiesbaden, Germany. Terry also recently served as the commander/deputy commander of the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan.

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Third Army/ARCENT Soldiers are America's land force professionals and experts in the Middle East and Central Asia. With a forward headquarters in Kuwait as well as the main HQ collocated with U.S. Air Force Central at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, S.C., Third Army shapes the regional environment, and is the critical cog to sustaining coalition military operations in the region. Our presence preserves peace, but if prevention fails, Third Army is ready tonight.