FORT LEE, Va. - Maj. Gen. Larry D. Wyche assumed command of the Combined Arms Support Command and Sustainment Center of Excellence in a ceremony June 26 on Sgt. William W. Seay Parade Field.
Deputy commanding general and chief of staff for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Lt. Gen. David D. Halverson, hosted the event attended by hundreds of family, friends and community members.
Wyche, a native of Emporia, Va., took command from Maj. Gen. James L. Hodge, who retired in a separate ceremony. Prior to arriving at Fort Lee, Wyche was deputy chief of staff for Logistics and Operations of the Army Materiel Command. AMC is one of the largest commands in the Army, with more than 70,000 employees and a mission impacting all 50 states as well as 155 countries.
Wyche congratulated Hodge on his years of service and said he was honored to join the CASCOM and Fort Lee team. He described the mission of sustainment Soldiers as one of the most critical in the Army.
"It is an honor and a privilege for me to stand here with you today," Wyche said, and added that each day he'll be thinking of the Soldiers who are "at the tip of the spear" serving on the front lines around the world. "We will never say no, as long as we have one gallon of gas or one bullet to give.
"CASCOM has never failed to keep a watch out and is engaged in planning for the future," he said. "I am honored to be part of this 'Superbowl' team." CASCOM, as a major subordinate command of TRADOC, trains and educates Soldiers and civilians, develops and integrates capabilities, concepts and doctrine, and executes functional proponency to enable the Army's Sustainment Warfighting Function.
Halverson thanked Hodge for his leadership and vision, which helped forge CASCOM into the organization it is today. He also charged Wyche to continue building upon the solid foundation and moving the organization forward.
"I want everyone to know just how much I've enjoyed this job," Hodge said. "I can't think of a better place to finish my career on active duty…When they say 'Support Starts Here,' they mean it."
Addressing Wyche, and his wife Denise, in his remarks, Hodge said while he "is not good at predicting the future… I can't imagine a circumstance where you would not love this command."
Wyche said CASCOM will continue to train, develop and educate leaders, and maintain its vital role in the development and implementation of sustainment doctrine and capabilities for the future force.
"I first came here 30 years ago when I was a lieutenant," Wyche said. "Back then, I never thought I would be here today as the commander of CASCOM. It's amazing to see how many changes have been made since then… and it's amazing to see how much has remained the same -- like the commitment to service, to excellence and to supporting our warfighters."
He also said he is committed to continuing to build relationships with the surrounding communities. Wyche, who still has many family members in the area, explained how important community is to him and the need to remain grounded with your roots.
For the last 35 years, regardless of where he has been in the world, he has maintained his connection to the area. "Every year, my mother gives me a subscription to my hometown newspaper," he explained. "I don't know many of the people in it, but I always read it and look for a friendly face.
"Denise and I are truly excited to be part of the team and we're looking forward to engaging the community and being involved here," he said.
Wyche has served in a number of command and leadership positions throughout his Army career. He received his commission as a quartermaster officer from Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi Reserve Officers Training Corps and graduated in 1983 earning a Bachelor of Business Administration. He later earned master degrees in Logistics Management from the Florida Institute of Technology and National Resource Strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
Wyche began his career as an enlisted Soldier, where he served as a Calvary scout leader and achieved the rank of sergeant. He has commanded at all levels to include being the commanding general of the Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command/Joint Munitions Command, Rock Island, Ill. This command has over 15,000 employees with depots, plants and arsenals in 17 locations.
While serving as a brigade commander, Wyche deployed with his unit to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, where he simultaneously served as commander of the Joint Logistics Command, Combined Joint Task Force -- 76, which was responsible for logistical support to Soldiers, Marines, airmen and sailors.
He has served in numerous staff positions to include assignments in the Pentagon as chief, Initiatives Group, and later as chief, Focused Logistics in the Force Development Directorate of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs; and as director for Strategy and Integration in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit; Bronze Star Medal; Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Joint Service Achievement Medal; Army Achievement Medal; Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal; Global War on Terrorism Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal; and the Humanitarian Service Medal. He has also earned the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.
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