KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- The Army's largest garrison in Europe in terms of geographic sites has a new commander overseeing the 25 installations within its diverse footprint.
Colonel Keith E. Igyarto assumed command of U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz in a ceremony at Daenner Kaserne, July 6.
He takes over an organization with a reach of operations that encompasses facilities in Baumholder, Landstuhl, Miesau, Pirmasens, Sembach, Gruenstadt, Mannheim and Germersheim, among others.
Igyarto accepted the garrison colors from Michael D. Formica, the Installation Management Command-Europe Region Director and host for the change of command ceremony. The outgoing commander, Colonel G. Shawn Wells, Jr., had relinquished the organizational flag to Formica just prior in the traditional passing of the colors that symbolizes the change of leadership.
Formica praised Wells' tenure in helping shape the garrison as a "vital Army power projection platform" and standing up a European Activity Set that enables rotational forces to draw vehicles and equipment from within theater.
"Most recently," Formica said in his remarks, "Rhine Ordnance Barracks and Coleman Work Site hosted several thousand Soldiers deployed in support of multinational exercises Anakonda, Saber Junction and Swift Response.
"With these and other U.S. rotational forces needed to support combatant commands around the globe, our warfighters must move quickly to participate in theater training," Formica added. "As we all know, speed is the hallmark of Strong Europe. For Installation Management Command-Europe, enabling such readiness is our number one priority. U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz, you are providing that capability and more."
Wells, in turn, gave credit to those under his command for the last two years: "Today is not about any one person, but about the organization and all the great people in it. USAG Rheinland-Pfalz has transformed four separate military communities into one fantastic mega-garrison that truly enhances the readiness of our military units. Our Soldiers, civilians, and Host Nation employees are fundamentally committed to the garrison's mission."
In addition to lauding the garrison team, Wells -- who is being reassigned to U.S. Forces Afghanistan as the garrison commander for Bagram -- also recognized the continued support of "our Host Nation Allies, from ministry officials, to local officials, to our 'blue light family' members, and the Bundeswehr -- thank you for all you do for our military service members and their families."
Igyarto arrives to the garrison from the National Capital Region, where he was previously assigned to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army, Financial Management and Comptroller.
"I am especially honored to have this opportunity to work with such an inspired team who strive every day to make the Army's house a home for our Soldiers, civilians and family members," Igyarto said in his acceptance remarks.
Those in attendance included the Commander of U.S. Army Europe, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges; Commander of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Maj. Gen. Duane Gamble; and Commander of the 86th Airlift Wing, Brig. Gen. Jon Thomas.
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