357th AMD-D holds change of command

By Sgt. Fay ConroyJuly 16, 2009

357th AMD-D holds change of command
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Kenneth Hunzeker, the commanding general of V Corps, Col. Rodney McCants, outgoing commander of 357th Air and Missile Defense Detachment, and Col. Anthony English, incoming commander of 357th AMD-D, render honors during the playing of the Na... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
357th AMD-D holds change of command
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The U.S. Army Europe band plays the Army Song at the conclusion of a change of command ceremony to welcome Col. Anthony English, incoming commander of 357th Air and Missile Defense Detachment, and to say goodbye to Col. Rodney McCants, the 357th AMD-... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
357th AMD-D holds change of command
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Kenneth Hunzeker, the commanding general of V Corps, looks on as Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan McGhee, the command sergeant major of the 357th Air and Missile Defense Detachment, passes the detachment's colors to Col. Rodney McCants, the 357th AMD... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

RHINE ORDNANCE BARRACKS, Germany - Soldiers and Families of the 357th Air and Missile Defense Detachment gathered at Rhine Ordnance Barracks July 10 for a change of command ceremony.

Col. Anthony English assumed command of the 357th AMD-D from Col. Rodney McCants. The unit was re-designated in October 2007 as the 357th AMD-D, and it was officially activated in a ceremony at Rhine Ordnance Barracks April 16, 2008.

"This afternoon I stand before you humbled yet excited and filled with eager anticipation. Humbled because I know how far this unit has come and how hard this unit has worked in the past 18 months to get where we are today," said McCants.

The ceremony included an inspection of troops conducted by McCants, English, and Lt. Gen. Kenneth Hunzeker, the commanding general of V Corps, who was the guest speaker at the ceremony.

"Soldiers in your brigade are disciplined, motivated and focused on the mission," said Hunzeker.

English, whose last assignment was as the deputy chief of staff for operations, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, also had high hopes for his new Soldiers.

"I am truly honored and humbled to be standing here today. I look forward to leading the best brigade in the United States Army," English said.

The 357th AMD-D, which is a subordinate brigade of V Corps, is stationed in Kaiserslautern Germany at Rhine Ordnance Barracks. The unit is comprised of a headquarters and headquarters detachment and the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery with its five subordinate batteries and a headquarters battery.