Fort Huachuca, AZ. - Maj. Gen. Gregg Potter, commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca, said his goodbyes to the Soldiers, Families, friends and supporters from Fort Huachuca and the surrounding communities, during the formal relinquishment of command ceremony on Brown Parade Field Thursday.
Potter is a career Army military intelligence officer, with past assignments in Korea, Germany, Arizona, New York, Texas, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington, D.C. He has deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom; Bosnia; and Kosovo for Operation Joint Forge.
Potter assumed command of the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca on Dec. 8, 2010.
"I came into this job with three things in mind -- to support an Army at war, to deliver world-class intelligence capabilities and Soldiers to our Army, and finally to make Fort Huachuca the best place to live and serve in our Army," Potter said. "I really just wanted to leave all of Fort Huachuca better than I found it. To the hard work of those here today, and those who could not be here, I think we accomplished that."
Lt. Gen. David Perkins, commanding general, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kan., presented Potter with a Distinguished Service Medal, signed by Secretary of the Army Honorable John McHugh.
During his speech, Potter expressed his gratitude to numerous people from Fort Huachuca, as well as the many people in southeast Arizona who provide support. He explained that one of the important things that sets Fort Huachuca apart from many of the places where he has served is the great partnership that Fort Huachuca has with the surrounding communities.
Potter will be moving on to his new assignment as deputy chief of staff, Intelligence, International Security Assistance Force, Operation Enduring Freedom, in Afghanistan. His wife, Veronica, will stay here at Fort Huachuca, representing Potter and providing continued support to the military Families that reside here. The Potters have one son, Sebastian, who recently graduated from the Citadel in Charleston, S.C.
In a soft-spoken voice, Potter thanked his wife.
"Last and certainly not least, I would like to thank my wife Veronica," he said. "You have been a gracious host and an amazing wife. You have taken great care of me and the Families of Fort Huachuca. I can always count on you to give me sage advice and counsel. You have no problem letting the emperor know when he is wearing no clothes."
Veronica was presented flowers and two awards in recognition of the support and dedication she has provided during her time at Fort Huachuca.
Maj. Gen. Robert Ashley, Jr., currently deputy chief of staff, Intelligence, International Security Assistance Force, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, is slated to arrive in April to assume command. Until then, Col. Roger Sangvic will serve as the commander, USAICoE and Fort Huachuca.
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