CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait -- Col. Andrew C. Peters transferred his duties as commander of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command's 595th Transportation Brigade to Col. David Banian during a change of command ceremony at Camp Arifjan Thursday.
Peters is leaving SDDC to go to Army Materiel Command at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala., where he will be the executive officer to AMC's deputy to the commander.
Maj. Gen. Thomas Richardson, commanding general, SDDC, officiated the ceremony and spoke to the audience about the significant role the 595th Trans. Bde. plays in the U. S. Central Command area of responsibility, his appreciation for Peters' contributions, and his trust and confidence in Banian.
"Colonel Peters has been an exceptional leader who immediately brought change to the 595th," Richardson said. "In the past year, the 595th has supported Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Spartan Shield, and successfully moved more than 150,000 short tons of cargo."
Banian is no stranger to SDDC and the 595th Trans. Bde. He commanded the 840th Transportation Battalion during Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn, and was twice assigned to SDDC's higher headquarters, U. S. Transportation Command, in the Deployment and Distribution Operation Center.
"The brigade is in good hands," added Richardson. "Banian has an understanding of tactical to strategic level transportation issues. This makes him the right person to lead the 595th during the Department of Defense's retrograde from Afghanistan."
Banian closed the ceremony by saying, "Today we're saying goodbye to a great leader and changing commands. But today is not about change. It's about continuity. What's not changed is the focus and commitment of this team on the retrograde mission. What's not changed is the will, discipline and spirit of the 595th team. What's not changed is the 595th partnership with U.S. Forces Afghanistan, 1st [Theater Sustainment Command], and the Regional Commands, to meet their retrograde and redeployment timelines in partnership with our commercial carriers."
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