KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - Community members, military leaders, staff and guests gathered for United States Army Garrison Kaiserslautern's relinquishment of command ceremony June 28.
Lt. Col. Lars Zetterstrom relinquished command to Col. Bryan D. DeCoster during a ceremony at the Armstrongs Community Club on Vogelweh Air Base. Zetterstrom was the last battalion level garrison commander for USAG Kaiserslautern before its deactivation in September.
USAG Kaiserslautern's senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald S. Creighton also relinquished his position to Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth J. Kraus.
DeCoster and Kraus currently serve as the command team for USAG Baden-Württemberg in Heidelberg, which is scheduled to deactivate Sept. 30. DeCoster will remain through USAG Kaiserslautern's redesignation to USAG Rheinland-Pfalz Oct. 1.
The new garrison's footprint will include approximately two dozen installations.
During the ceremony DeCoster praised Zetterstrom and his team for their leadership, and efforts to improve cooperation between the Air Force and Army units across the Kaiserslautern Military Community.
"Thank you for the support that each and every one of you provides to the community. I look forward to working more closely with each of you as we transform and establish a brigade level garrison here in Kaiserslautern," DeCoster said. He also added there are plans to host follow on ceremonies and a host nation reception in September.
Afterwards, Zetterstrom offered a few parting thoughts to the Kaiserslautern community as he reflected on his final days here.
"It's hard to believe that two years have already come and gone. Many things have changed and many more things will change but the one that has remained constant for my family and I, is that this has been the best two years of my career, and also the happiest for our family," Zetterstrom said. "It has been my honor to serve this community and its members."
Prior to the relinquishment ceremony, Zetterstrom and his wife Erin were honored during a special awards' ceremony attended by Installation Management Command Commanding General Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter. The KMC was one of several stops Ferriter made as part of his European visit. IMCOM-E Region Director Kathleen Marin was also present and thanked the Zetterstrom and his family for their service.
Zetterstrom's next assignment will be at the Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, Pa., and Creighton will relocate to Baumholder to become the command sergeant major for the garrison there.
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