FORT HOOD, Texas -- The "Mighty" 407th Army Field Support Brigade conducted a change of command ceremony here July 26 between Col. Danny Tilzey, outgoing commander, and incoming Col. Steven Allen, incoming commander.
The ceremony was presided over by the then Maj. Gen. Patricia E. McQuistion, Army Sustainment Command commanding general, who warmly welcomed the new brigade commander, highlighting his qualifications to the task at hand.
McQuistion has since been promoted to rank of lieutenant general and is now the deputy commanding general of ASC's higher headquarters, Army Materiel Command.
Tilzey, who had commanded the 407th AFSB since July 2010, relinquished command to Allen, in a ceremony on the 13th Sustainment Command Guidon Field, Fort Hood, Texas. The ceremony lasted about one hour and music was provided by the 1st Cavalry Division Quartet Band.
In his farewell remarks, Tilzey thanked everyone for their help and support throughout his time in the military.
"It is hard to sum up twenty-seven years of service in ten minutes, so I am going to try my best to do it by using David Letterman's "Top Ten List" of things that I am most proud to describe my military career," he said.
"Number ten was, I invented a MILES (Multiple Integrated Laser Equipment Systems) device used in tanks that does not need batteries. Number seven was, I am very proud of having been a three-time select below the zone for promotion," Tilzey said. "Number five included being the commander of the 'Mighty 407th' Army Field Support Brigade."
The No. 1 thing that he was proud of was his wife and mother, Tilzey said.
"I started out with my wife and mother twenty-seven years ago. They supported me through deployments and PCS (permanent change of station) moves and other career changes. Now, twenty-seven years later, I end my career with them," he said.
Tilzey and his family will reside in the local Fort Hood community of Harker Heights.
The highlight of the ceremony was the passing of the brigade colors, the symbol of the unit's identity, from the outgoing commander to the new commander. The 407th Command Sgt. Maj. Nathaniel Richardson passed the brigade colors to Tilzey, who passed the colors to McQuistion, who in turn passed the colors of responsibility, authority, and accountability of the "Mighty" 407th AFSB to Allen.
In his remarks, Allen made it clear to the assembled audience that he was taking command of a brigade "that had a great reputation with solid systems, and processes to provide the best possible sustainment to the Army."
Allen also said that "he is a strong believer in safety, trust, loyalty and teamwork."
Prior to taking command of the "Mighty" 407th AFSB, Allen attended and graduated from the Senior War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
Allen's previous assignments include the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kan., as the 1st Brigade Combat Team S-4 (Logistics). He served as the support operations officer in the 101st Forward Support Battalion, deploying to Ramadi, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from September 2003 to September 2004.
After redeploying, he became the Forward Support Battalion executive officer through the reset period. From June 2005 through January 2007, he was an instructor and writer at the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
In February 2007, Allen assumed command of the 402nd Brigade Support Battalion, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Lewis, Wash., which included a deployment to Kandahar, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from July 2009 to July 2010.
Later, he served as the I Corps G-4 chief of Supply and Services at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., from September 2010 through June 2011.
Allen was born and raised in North Dakota.
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