U.S. ARMY GARRISON-KWAJALEIN ATOLL, Republic of the Marshall Islands -- Outgoing U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll Commander Col. Nestor Sadler relinquished his duties as garrison commander Aug. 5, passing them on to incoming USAG-KA commander, Col. Michael Larsen.
The Change of Command conducted on Kwajalein by Dr. Christine Altendorf, director of U.S. Army Installation Management Command-Pacific Region, marked the end of a two-year tour for one commander and his wife and the start of a new chapter in the professional and personal lives of Larsen, his wife, Jeanna, and their children, Jordan, Jacob and Ryan Marie.
Sadler, who is set to take over as commandant of the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, took the opportunity to emphasize the impact his time as commander has had on him and his wife. He assured Larsen that a similar experience is awaiting him.
"This command has been, and always will be, a special time in both Monica's and my life for years to come. The friendships, bonds, time and experiences that we have both had the opportunity to be a part of has been a privilege," Sadler told a crowd of hundreds gathered at the garrison's Fixed Wing Hangar at Bucholz Army Airfield on Kwajalein. "Being servant leaders throughout the community is what we have strived for since the first day we arrived. It has truly been an honor to serve as a commander with such a professional, diverse, resilient and dedicated group of people."
"Mike, Jeanna, your reputation precedes you, and I've heard nothing but great things about the both of you," Sadler continued. "I'm comforted in knowing you guys will do a great job. I know both of you will embrace the experience and, together with your new Kwaj family and teammates, will take this command to new heights. Best of luck."
Larsen, who spent four of the past five years in Italy with the 173rd Infantry Bridge Combat Team and the U.S. Army Africa Command, emphasized his excitement for commanding a garrison that not only maintains a strategic relevance to the defense of the United States, but does so within a tropical "paradise-like environment."
During a speech he had prepared for the occasion, the new garrison commander announced his promise to accomplish three main objectives during his tour on USAG-KA: to ensure the garrison remains a positive, family-friendly place to live and work; to ensure that the garrison and its community members do everything possible to serve the Reagan Test Site; and to maintain and strengthen the commitment of the United States to its friend and strategic partner, the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
"Nestor, I'm going to work diligently to continue your legacy in building the IMCOM team here and your positive, fair leadership and presence," Larsen said. "To the diverse Kwajalein community team … I look forward to being your island neighbor for the next two years and getting to know each and every one of you while we serve together. Thank you."
Altendorf applauded Sadler and said his performance in guiding the garrison and its community through turbulent financial periods and through the recent transition of the installation from the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command to the Installation Management Command was exemplary.
"Col. Sadler's legacy will be that he used his moral compass, a tool that he regularly used during town hall sessions to navigate the garrison in a direction aligned with army regulations and doctrine," Atlendorf said. "His dedication and efforts kept USAG-KA fully operational during a time of fiscal uncertainty. He's pragmatic and empathetic to the needs of the individuals in the community. He has always put the best interests of the Army, the community and his subordinates before his own. Col. Sadler was the right commander for U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll during a very difficult period of time."
Lt. Gen. David L. Mann, USASMDC/ARSTRAT commanding general and Kwaj senior commander, said that having a commander who is passionate for the well-being of not only the garrison community members but also that of the local host nation is special.
Mann, who had made the trek from SMDC headquarters at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, to attend the award ceremony and Change of Command, commended Sadler for his performance both on the mission side and the community side of the garrison.
"What [Sadler] has done has truly been remarkable. And everyone who has been here a couple of years knows that we are in a better place because of Nestor's leadership and what he has done," Mann told the crowd. "I would also like to say thank you for reaching out to our Marshallese partners, whether it's folks across the pond over here to Ebeye or throughout the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
"What you've done to extend a hand and reach out to folks and to really make a collaborative partnership in terms of executing our mission here, but also caring about everyone who is here and throughout the atoll, is great," Mann added.
Traditional Marshallese leaders and R.M.I. government staff shared Mann's sentiment. Consisting of Foreign Minister Tony DeBrum, Minister in Assistance Wilbur Heine, Sen. Jeban Riklon, Iroij Sen. Mike Kabua, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Bruce Kijner and R.M.I. liaison to USAG-KA Lanny Kabua, the R.M.I. delegation attended the ceremony Wednesday to both welcome Larsen to the team and thank Sadler for his effort to bolster U.S.-R.M.I. relations during the past two years.
"I thank you General Mann and join you in recognizing Col. Sadler and his many contributions and service in support of our joint defense and bilateral alliance," Heine said. "The relationship between our governments has grown and matured over the years, through professional interactions, exercises and operations--but especially through the personal relationships between friends.
"Thank you, Col. Sadler for your unmatched commitment to your mission and your people," he added. "Your contributions have enhanced security and improved readiness during a challenging and dynamic time. The R.M.I. government has taken careful note of the many accomplishments reached under your leadership, which include strengthening R.M.I. economic self-reliance and further defining the defense relationship between our two nations."
U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands Thomas Armbruster, who made the trip with his wife, Katherine, from the U.S. Embassy in Majuro, connected the impressive turnout at the ceremony Wednesday with the importance of USAG-KA--and its commander--to both the United States and the Marshall Islands.
"You know the work of this base is important, judging by the presence of the distinguished visitors today, by Lt. Gen. Mann and by the visitors who come here all the time: the chairman of the joint chiefs, the secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force, President Loeak and other regular visitors," Armbruster told the audience. "This base is important to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and it remains the centerpiece of the bilateral relationship. That's why good leadership makes a difference for the United States here."
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