The 2-6 Air and Missile Defense Test Detachment at White Sands Missile Range welcomed a new commander during a Change of Command ceremony as outgoing commander Capt. Taylor John-Morton relinquished command to Capt. Lukas Hartlage July 10 at the Cox Range Control Center.

Lt. Col. Mike Goglia, second from left, Commander of the 2-6 Air Defense Artillery, passes the guidon to incoming 2-6 Air and Missile Defense Test Detachment Commander at White Sands Missile Range Capt. Lukas Hartlage, left, July 10 at the Cox Range Control Center. Outgoing commander Capt. Taylor John-Morton stands to their right.

Lt. Col. Mike Goglia, Commander of the 2-6 Air Defense Artillery, welcomed guests and Soldiers to the ceremony.

“You all stand at the leading edge of the Army’s warfare and development,” Goglia said. “The test mission here is so critical to the Army and air defense.”

John-Morton welcomed Hartlage and his family to the WSMR family and thanked several people and organizations including the Soldiers.

“Thank you to the Soldiers of the detachment for what you do,” John-Morton said. “It has been a pleasure to work with each and every one of you. We are the unit we are due to the efforts each of you put into this organization.”

Hartlage thanked several people including his family and the outgoing commander.

“I do not take the magnitude of this unit’s role lightly,” Hartlage said. “The Soldiers of this unit are leading the way in modernization efforts that will eventually save lives and win our nation’s next wars. It is an honor to be here and take the guidon of such an esteemed unit.”

The 2-6 Air and Missile Defense Test Detachment provides expertise and knowledge in support of Air and Missile Defense modernization programs: to conduct developmental tests, flight tests, tactics, techniques and procedures development, maintenance, and logistics demonstrations.