VICENZA, Italy - On Wednesday, Aug. 31, U.S. Army Africa's Headquarters Support Company conducted a change of command ceremony at Caserma Ederle's Teen Center, where Maj. Brian Hanley handed over the reins of leadership to Capt. Terri Mason.
After a six-month tenure as HSC commander, Hanley assumes responsibilities as the executive officer of the newly formed USARAF Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion.
Hanley reflects on his time as HSC commander.
"This was a great challenge. I'd been a headquarters and headquarters company commander at Fort Carson, Colo., so I thought I knew the job. However, USARAF HSC is much different, more than half the company outranked me and our mission is very involved with supporting Soldiers in the several different countries on the African continent," Hanley said. "I had a lot of mentorship and I know that Capt. Mason will receive the same."
Mason hails from Hilton, N.Y., and this will be her first company command.
Prior to Mason's assignment to Italy, she was a member of the 511th Military Police Company; Fort Drum, N.Y.
As the new leader of HSC, Mason outlines her command focus for the future.
"My top priority will be to ensure that all personnel assigned or attached to USARAF are fully supported and adequately prepared for deployment to the African continent," Mason said.
Mason said that her past assignments have prepared her for HSC command.
"Being deployed to other theaters has allowed me to work with a wide range of personnel from different backgrounds and military occupational specialties. It has also given me the opportunity to understand and appreciate challenges associated with a support company," Mason, a six-year U.S. Army veteran said.
Mason said that her biggest challenge as the new HSC commander will be dealing with USARAF's distinctive mission.
"USARAF has a unique mission, so being able to support personnel travelling to and operating in more than 50 countries, will be the most challenging aspect of this position," Mason said.
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