75th Field Artillery Brigade welcomes new commander

By Jeff Crawley, Fort Sill CannoneerJune 18, 2015

Col. Cook
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Colors
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Brigadier
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – British Army exchange officer Brigadier [General] Tim Lai, III Corps and Fort Hood deputy commanding general (Support), officiated the 75th FAB change of ceremony June 10, 2015, at Fort Sill. He recounted Col. Michael Eastman's accomplishments, and h... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Well-wishers
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Eastman family (left) receives well-wishers after the 75th Field Artillery Brigade change of command June 10, 2015, at Old Post Quadrangle. Col. Michael Eastman spent two years as the "Tough as Diamonds" Brigade commander. He will become XO at th... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. (June 18, 2015) -- Col. Nathan Cook II assumed command of the 75th Field Artillery Brigade from Col. Michael Eastman during a ceremony June 10, at Old Post Quadrangle here.

Hundreds of Soldiers from the "Tough as Diamonds" Brigade's Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, support battalion and four regiments, along with the 77th Army Band and Field Artillery Half-Section participated in the 8 a.m. change of command.

In a unique twist, a British Army exchange officer officiated the ceremony.

Brigadier [General] Tim Lai, III Corps and Fort Hood (Texas) deputy commanding general (Support), recounted Eastman's accomplishments, and he welcomed Cook.

"For the past two years, Colonel Eastman has guided this brigade through a period of great transition," Lai said. "The 75th has assumed new roles as part of the III Corp's artillery group."

The 75th FAB has sent battalions to the National Training Center on multiple rotations in support of III Corps units, as well as other contingency operations, the brigadier said.

"Under Mike's planning and leadership, the brigade has focused its training back on core artillery skills. The 75th has worked hard to ensure that each Soldier is properly able to execute his or her wartime tasks," said Lai, who added Eastman was central to the 75th's successful mission supporting Operation Inherent Re-solve against ISIL.

"I know you've earned the trust and respect of the men and women of the 75th Field Artillery Brigade," said Lai, who was commissioned from the Royal Military Sandhurst in 1986.

The brigadier also welcomed Cook and his family.

Colonel Cook is a proven leader, who is no stranger to the III Corps having served with the 1st Cavalry and 4th Infantry divisions, said Lai.

"When the 'Phantom Corps' needs fires, it will turn to you and all the great Soldiers of the 'Tough as Diamonds' Brigade,'" Lai said.

During the ceremony, 75th FAB Command Sgt. Maj. Brian Harrison handed the unit colors to Eastman, who then passed them to Lai as his last act as outgoing commander. The brigadier then entrusted the colors to Cook -- symbolizing his new command, responsibility and authority. Cook returned the colors to the CSM, who is the safekeeper of the colors.

Harrison described Eastman as: "A genuine caring person, a Soldier's Soldier."

Eastman, who just 48 hours earlier had been working in Jordan with Soldiers, began by thanking his wife, Hai, and their children.

"She did (Hai) what she's always done for five deployments now," Eastman said. "She held the family together while I'm off being a Soldier."

Eastman, who as a youth spent much time as an Army family member here, said the 75th FAB was a great organization, working on a great installation supported by an exceptional community.

"It's the people that make a community great, and Lawton and Fort Sill have great people," Eastman.

Eastman said his Soldiers made the 75th not only the largest artillery formation in the Army, but also the best.

"I want to thank you for your committment to this organization and to each other ... you've excelled at every endeavor," Eastman said.

Eastman will become the executive officer at the Army Cyber Command at Fort Belvoir, Va.

Cook had two previous assignments at Fort Sill. First at the FA officer basic course, and in 1997 at the FA officer advanced course. He was most recently a student at the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., studying strategic leadership, and strategic landpower and its integration into joint operations.

In his remarks, Cook said the 75th FAB Soldiers are mission ready.

"Soldiers of this brigade are surrounded by great noncommissioned officers and officers, who take care of their Soldiers and lead by example," Cook said. They get world-class support from a great installation and community.