FORT IRWIN, Calif.- A new leader emerged to write the next chapter of Fort Irwin and the National Training Center on Monday afternoon as Brig. Gen. Terry Ferrell assumed command of the installation.
Brig. Gen. Ferrell replaced outgoing Fort Irwin and National Training Center commanding general Brig. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams during a change of command ceremony led by U.S. Army Forces Command commander Gen. James D. Thurman.
"Gen. Ferrell is a proven leader of immense capability and worthy of the increased responsibility he is receiving today," Gen. Thurman said. "He brings a wealth of experience in both collective training and combat leadership."
For the past 27 years, Brig. Gen. Ferrell has served in some of the most challenging assignments in the Army, he said.
"Those same jobs and his unique experiences make him especially qualified to lead Fort Irwin in time when we remain in a protracted conflict and an uncertain international security environment," Gen. Thurman said.
Brig. Gen. Ferrell is no stranger to preparing formations for combat either, he said.
"He has established reputation Army-wide as an outstanding Soldier, a superb leader and a courageous warrior," Gen. Thurman said. "It is now his task to help ensure that our units are trained and ready to not only meet the threats of today, but also those of the future."
As Gen. Thurman welcomed Brig. Gen. Ferrell to his new command, he praised Brig. Gen. Abrams for his numerous accomplishments during his 23 months as the commanding general of Fort Irwin and the National Training Center.
"Brig. Gen. Abrams has done a great deal to make sure Fort Irwin remains a world-class installation," he said. "He is very serious about providing the very best and ensuring the well-being of the Soldiers, civilians and families who live and work here every day."
Under Brig. Gen. Abrams' watch Fort Irwin has continued to modernize and improve, he said.
"Gen. Abrams has not only been responsible for the care and maintenance of the Soldiers and civilians of Fort Irwin, but he also shouldered the responsibility of enabling other unit commanders to prepare and ready their own formations for operations around the globe," he said.
The National Training and the installation have evolved very rapidly to fulfill the training needs of the force and to ensure the operational Army remains the best in the world, he said.
"Abe is a remarkable leader and an extraordinary Soldier. To say that Abe has commanded the training center during a unique period would the height of an understatement," Gen. Thurman said. "Gen. Abrams continues to demonstrate he is a leader for tomorrow's Army, an Army which is changing as fast as the NTC battlefield."
As Brig. Gen. Abrams reflected on his time at Fort Irwin and the National Training Center, he said there are 100s of memories he and his family will take with them as they leave an installation he described as "small-town America."
"Most of all we will remember the incredible people we met here, who we've had the honor to serve alongside. Soldiers, family members, DA civilians and contractors, they more than anything are the most important ingredient to the National Training Center," he said. "Our people here are the NTC's special sauce. Their professionalism, their dedication, their sacrifices, especially the sacrifices of their families, that is what the Abrams will remember the most."
As he took command, Brig. Gen. Ferrell thanked everyone for attending the change of command ceremony.
"A lot changed here since I was an OC in '92-'94, but it's all good change," he said. "The one thing that has been enduring that has not changed has been the focus on training our Soldiers for combat. That's what we do, that's what we're here for and we will continue to do that."
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