CAMP RED CLOUD South Korea -- A headquarters unit whose troops work mainly in key administrative offices of the U.S. Army Garrison Red Cloud has new leadership following ceremonies here May 23.
Capt. Jason Howell, a logistics officer, assumed command of the unit, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Red Cloud.
Howell replaces Capt. David Hong, who commanded HHC for two years.
Howell's previous assignment was as a student at the captain's Combined Logistics Career Course (CLC3) at Fort Lee, Va.
Hong moves to a new assignment at Fort Lee as an instructor in that same course.
The morning's change-of-leadership ceremonies, which went forward under blue, sunny skies on the lawn of the post's Village Green, also marked the departure of Master Sgt. Emanuel Miles as company first sergeant.
Miles heads to an assignment in the United States. Sgt. 1st Class Andrew Landrum will serve as HHC's interim first sergeant.
In remarks during the ceremony, Lt. Col. Steven G. Finley, commander of U.S. Army Garrison Casey, said Hong had turned in an "absolutely outstanding performance" during his command of HHC.
Hong was "a multi-talented officer who possesses the rare ability to take the most complicated tasks and reduce them to their essentials," he said.
He called Hong a "superb trainer, mentor, and motivator" who had "implemented programs within his company and unit, which produced exceptional results."
Finley noted that the company had received recognition during a recent inspection for "the superb state" of its arms room and the room where it stores protective and other equipment for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear hazards.
And Hong "greatly improved the Soldier wartime survivability" through his emphasis on training troops to face those same chemical, biological and other hazards in wartime, said Finley.
Hong also did this by keeping HHC trained in its assigned mission-essential wartime tasks, Finley said.
In addition, the unit maintained a robust "goodwill" relationship with the local Korean community, in part through sponsorship of a local children's home, Finley said.
"Capt. Hong demonstrated total concern about Soldier quality-of-life, and instilled a new-found pride in Soldiers, where they work and live, a testament to his total dedication to their personal and professional welfare," said Finley.
"Capt. Hong and 1st Sgt. Miles, you should both be proud of your command team," Finley said.
In farewell remarks, Hong thanked, among others, three officers who he said had provided him important guidance and mentoring during his HHC command -- Col. Hank Dodge, commander of USAG Red Cloud and Area I; Lt. Col. Richard Fromm, currently USAG Red Cloud chief of staff, and Finley.
Hong also thanked his troops, who include U.S. Soldiers and KATUSAs, South Korean troops assigned to the U.S. Army.
"Soldiers of HHC, both past and present, thank you," said Hong. "You KATUSAS and American Soldiers represent everything that is good and honorable in both our great nations.
"Be proud of what you do and know that all of you play a vital role in the success of our organization," Hong said. "You have made these past two years the two of the most memorable years of my military career."
Howell entered active service in 2006. He's served as a company executive officer, battalion operations officer, and brigade operations officer, among other past assignments.
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