New commander takes charge of Fort Huachuca during July 31 ceremony

By Joan VaseyAugust 6, 2015

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1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From left, Maj. Gen. Robert P. Ashley, outgoing commander, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca; Lt. Gen. Kevin W. Mangum, deputy commanding general/chief of staff, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; and Maj. Gen. Scott... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – From left, Maj. Gen. Robert P. Ashley, outgoing commander, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca; Lt. Gen. Kevin W. Mangum, deputy commanding general/chief of staff, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; Maj. Gen. Scott D. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Incoming commander Maj. Gen. Scott D. Berrier, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, accepts the guidon during the change of command ceremony on Brown Parade Field July 31. This ceremony is one of hundreds that have taken pla... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – In foreground, from left, Lt. Gen. Kevin W. Mangum, deputy commanding general/chief of staff, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command; and Maj. Gen. Scott D. Berrier, incoming commander, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Huachuca, Arizona - Two major generals assumed new roles during a change of command ceremony on Fort Huachuca's historic Brown Parade Field July 31 before a crowd of hundreds of people.

Maj. Gen. Robert P. Ashley, commanding general of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca since April 2013, passed the command to incoming commander Maj. Gen. Scott D. Berrier, a career Army military intelligence officer, whose most recent assignment was as deputy chief of staff for Intelligence, International Security Assistance International Force.

Speaking of Ashley's accomplishments, Lt. Gen. Kevin W. Mangum, deputy commanding general/chief of staff, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, said, "Bob's drive and leadership are reflected in the improvements he brought to leader development education, the innovative concepts for MI organizations and structure and his personal involvement in rewriting MI doctrine, including a revision of the Intelligence Functional Concept, which is now nested in what we call our Army Operating Concept.

"Bob advanced intelligence warfighting concepts in every conceivable way," Mangum added. "[His] focus on Soldiers, Families, local veterans and surrounding communities has been laser-sharp. His work to improve communications and find efficient ways to deliver services of Soldiers, Civilians, Family members and veterans have made this a vibrant community for others to emulate. … Bob leaves this community in great shape. … Well done!"

Mangum also went on to praise Ashley's wife, Barbara, for her role on Fort Huachuca and in the local community citing her involvement with the Fort Huachuca Spouses Club, thrift shop and "countless hours" of mentorship of other spouses and patriotic service and support.

Ashley thanked the audience for their attendance during his farewell address.

"It has been an amazing 27 months, and it has gone far too quickly," Ashley said.

"It is an understatement to say that we live in uncertain times, and those uncertain times are not going to change. The uncertainty we see in the world right now is going to last well into the next decade, and what's at stake is our national freedom, and the men and women on this field, what they do every day is to help secure that.

"What's at stake is our way of life," he added. "Every day you have the opportunity to make a difference when you get up, and that's why I wear the uniform."

During his comments, Berrier thanked the Ashleys for making his and his wife Annie's transition an easy one. Like Ashley, during his comments, Berrier mentioned that he met the departing general 26 years ago when both men attended the Advanced Course on Fort Huachuca. Berrier also pledged to continue the work currently underway on Fort Huachuca.

"Team Huachuca has grown and expanded to masterfully meet the Army's needs during a long period of conflict," Berrier said. "We stand ready with all of you to help write the next chapter of this historic post's future contributions to the Army and the DOD."

Last week, Ashley was confirmed by the U.S. Senate for promotion to lieutenant general and to serve as the next U.S. Army G2. He and his wife departed for his new assignment shortly after the change of command ceremony.