FORT SILL, Okla. (May 9, 2013) -- Retiring Col. Steven Scioneaux recapped the accomplishments of his unit, the Operational Test Command Fires Test Directorate, and he thanked his family for their sacrifices at the relinquishment of command ceremony celebrating his two years of command at Fort Sill.
The morning ceremony April 29, outside McIntyre Hall here, also designated William Bryan, FTD deputy test manager, as the acting commander/director until a Soldier is assigned the command in a couple months. The FTD is responsible for the operational testing and experimentation of field artillery and most air defense artillery weapons systems and munitions before they are fielded by the Army.
Last fall, the FTD deployed staff members to three states to perform five different operational tests almost simultaneously over 2.5 months, Scioneaux said.
This included testing the M109 howitzer system and its M992 Field Artillery Ammunition Support Vehicle, the Q53 radar, and Precision Guidance Kit for artillery rounds at Yuma, Ariz.; the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor (JLENS) at Dugway Proving Grounds, Utah; and other testing at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
"Many of you pulled double duty to make this happen," Scioneaux said to the Soldiers, DA civilians and contractors of the FTD. "You pulled it off safely and effectively."
Scioneaux also mentioned the work his staff did on improvements to the Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar gun; and testing of Patriot missiles.
The colonel acknowledged his staff for all their efforts and dedication.
"When I look back at what you have accomplished I stand in awe," said Scioneaux, who has had four assignments at Fort Sill. "You are the epitome of selfless service and true dedication."
Scioneaux thanked his wife, Kimberly, and their children Janee' and Christian.
"[Kimberly] you have always kept the home fires burning, raising our kids and maintaining your own career as a teacher, and supporting my career and our Soldiers," he said. "I would not be standing here today, were it not for your support and dedication."
During the ceremony, Scioneaux handed the unit colors to his superior Col. Jeffery Harris, Fort Hood, Texas, USAOTC deputy commander and chief of staff, symbolizing the change in leadership. Harris then passed the colors to Bryan delegating command responsibility to him. Bryan returned the colors to Sgt. Maj. Michael Swain, FTD sergeant major, for safekeeping.
In his speech, Harris recounted some of the highlights of Scioneaux's 25-year career.
As a brigade operations officer with the former FA Training Center here, Scioneaux transformed the way Basic Combat Training was conducted to meet the emerging requirements brought on by the war.
When he was a professor of military science at Oregon State University, Scioneaux instituted a Veterans Affairs liaison program for its veteran students, Harris said.
And, as the commander of a stability transition team in Iraq, Scioneaux was responsible for 440 kilometers of the border. He also led a major staff exercise with Army and Iraqi army brigades and its customs police.
"Steve's work in this endeavor marked a huge step forward in the coordinated efforts of Iraqi security forces," Harris said. "That was a very big deal."
Harris said because Scioneaux developed such a professional team at the FTD that he can leave without his replacement being on board, and the organization will still meet its busy test schedule requirements.
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