GRAFENWOEHR, Germany (August 28, 2009) - "Brig. Gen. Salazar assumes a unique and prodigious responsibility today as he takes command of the Joint Multinational Training Command - the only place in the Army that trains with Joint, Multinational, and Coalition partners," said Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander of the U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army. "I can tell you that he is well-prepared and ready for the challenge."
Ham addressed a crowd of German dignitaries, Grafenwoehr community members, and U.S. Soldiers at the Grafenwoehr Parade Field to welcome Brig. Gen. Steven L. Salazar as the new commander of the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command (JMTC).
Salazar takes command of JMTC after commanding the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT) as part of the Multinational Security Transition Command, Iraq.
"It is an honor and a privilege for me to stand here as the Commanding General of the Joint Multinational Training Command," said Salazar. "Having just re-deployed from a land where the trees are non-existent, the beauty of Bavaria is a welcome change."
Headquartered in Grafenwoehr, the 7th Army JMTC is the largest training command outside the continental United States. It provides a full spectrum of training for U.S. forces, NATO allies and multinational partners in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
"We are a country at war," said Salazar. "It is an ever-changing, complex battlefield that our Soldiers have to face. The speed with which JMTC can adapt its tactics, techniques and procedures to the contemporary operating environment in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other theaters of operations - is a testament to the skills of the professional NCOs, officers, and civilians in this organization."
Salazar also recognized the significant involvement of those units and individuals outside JMTC that contribute to the command's success.
"JMTC does not work alone," said Salazar. "Without the support of the U.S. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr and the local community, JMTC could not provide the quality training that we do."
Brig. Gen. Salazar follows Brig. Gen. David R. Hogg as the commanding general of JMTC. Hogg, who is currently serving as the deputy chief of staff for operations for the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, departed JMTC in June.
"General Salazar will bring fresh blood, fresh ideas, and a new energy into making the JMTC better than it is today," said Hogg as he bid farewell to the command and the community earlier this summer. "He is a great guy and the right one for the job."
"It is truly an honor for me to command such a fine organization and to be part of such a great community," said Salazar. "I look forward to working with all of you."
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