RED CLOUD GARRISON - Peter B. Bechtel, deputy director Army Plans and Policy, and director, U.S. Army Nuclear and Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Agency, came to Area I March 16. Garrison chain of command briefed him about happenings in Warrior Country as Bechtel\'s visit was to see the ongoing internal projects.
Bechtel, a former infantry officer, now guides his office on combating WMD and the construction of Army-level Space and Missile Defense policy. Bechtel also makes sure the department's strategic vision and demanding operational requirements continue to be the focal point of stability for future forces and continue to meet the global demands of the current security environment.
Bechtel and his staff, which consisted of many service members who were stationed in Warrior Country in previous years, commended Col. Larry 'Pepper' Jackson, USAG-RC commander, for keeping the Army Family Covenant and providing Soldiers and their Families a much improved living standard in Warrior Country compared to offerings when they were stationed here.
On his way to USAG-Casey, Bechtel was amazed with the advancement of Korean roads telling all in the bus how he was constantly frightened of driving in Korea, yet the ride this time is better. Bechtel was impressed with the construction site Jackson showed him on Red Cloud, which will soon be filled with Soldiers and Family members when it serves as the new Casey Lodge. The current lodge has a small number of rooms but Jackson told Bechtel the new facility will be able to serve a greater number of Soldiers than in the past.
"We want to see to it the garrisons in Korea are provided the same environment as installations in Germany," said Bechtel referring to the size and availability of items within the commissary and post exchange facilities.
Bechtel also commended the garrison chain of command for how advanced the garrison's Pear Blossom Cottages have become and the vast number of programs it offers to Soldiers and their Family members such as Financial Readiness Classes, and Army Family Action Plan meetings.
"Every Soldier and every Family member stationed in Korea deserves the best we can offer them," Bechtel said while walking through the Pear Blossom Cottage on USAG-Casey, "we want to provide for all Soldiers and their Families wherever they are deployed."
"As a senior enlisted Soldier, it means a lot when you have representatives like Bechtel come out to see the Army in Korea is keeping abreast of changes provided by the Army Family Covenant improving the lifestyles of our Soldiers and our Families," said Command Sgt. Maj. Earlene Lavender, USAG-RC Command Sgt Maj.
Bechtel arrived in Korea March 15, and will tour USAG-Humphreys, Camp Tango, and Osan's 35th ADA Brigade until his return to Washington, D.C. March 19.
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