1st Space Brigade Change of Command

By Craig Denton, USAFJuly 10, 2008

1st Space Brigade Change of Command
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's commanding general, Lt. Gen. Kevin T. Campbell (left), charges Col. Jeffrey A. Farnsworth with responsibility of the 1st Space Brigade during a Change of Command ceremony at ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. Aca,!" Col. Jeffrey A. Farnsworth assumed command of the 1st Space Brigade from the unitAca,!a,,cs outgoing commander, Col. Timothy R. Coffin, during a change of command ceremony conducted on the morning of July 10 at Patriot Park.

Lt. Gen. Kevin T. Campbell, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/ Army Forces Strategic Command (SMDC/ARSTRAT), hosted the ceremony for the 1st Space Brigade, which is the operational element of SMDC/ARSTRAT.

After passing the brigadeAca,!a,,cs colors to the new commander, Campbell in his remarks said, Aca,!A"TimAca,!a,,cs Soldiers certainly allowed him to be an exceptional commander and thatAca,!a,,cs because Tim gave everything he had to this brigade.Aca,!A?

Aca,!A"He led them with a passion and he extended compassion to them. His tactical proficiency is unparallel in the Army in this business of Space operations.Aca,!A?

Commenting on the brigadeAca,!a,,cs new commander Campbell stated, Aca,!A"He (Farnsworth) is imminently qualified for the job. He has had all the right positions leading up to this. He was a former 1st Space Battalion commander. He has done all the right things up in Washington, D.C., on the staff and knows the business inside and out. I expect great things out of him.

Aca,!A"This is a high performing unit, Jeff. You have some tough challenges ahead but again you have got the right skills. And I challenge you to care of this unitAca,!a,,cs Soldiers, Families and civilians as you would your own family.Aca,!A?

Afterward Coffin expressed his gratitude to the audience by saying, Aca,!A"These Soldiers here in front of you only represent a small part of the of the 850 Soldiers we have spread around the world, that are doing operations on a day-to-day basis supporting our Soldiers, our civilians, the president, secretary of defense, others in operations and missions around the world.

Aca,!A"This brigade operates 10, 24-hour-a-day, seven days a week, operation centers that provide that kind of support to the warfighter.

Aca,!A"It has been a bit of a marathon, not only for this brigade, but for the entire U.S. military. We donAca,!a,,ct necessarily plan, organize or equip ourselves for long-duration wars. Ever since 9/11 though, members of this brigade have been forward deployed doing the nationAca,!a,,cs bidding. When one team comes back before they can return we send another team out in their place.Aca,!A?

Aca,!A"It is a bittersweet moment to leave command, but I leave it knowing that I put in what I can. You have a great team that will support you, Jeff, as you go forward,Aca,!A? said Coffin.

Upon taking command of the brigade, Farnsworth stated, Aca,!A"General Campbell, I pledge my loyalty to this mission, this chain of command and I canAca,!a,,ct think of a better command climate to be part of.Aca,!A?

Aca,!A"Members of the Space Brigade, I pledge to you that I will leave no stone unturned in the service of our Soldiers, our Families, our mission, our readiness. Together with your support, strong teamwork and leadership we will write the next chapter in this Space Brigade.Aca,!A?

Prior to the official portion of the morningAca,!a,,cs activities, a short awards presentation was made to Coffin and his wife Cheryl. Campbell presented the Legion of Merit Award to Coffin for exceptionally meritorious service from July 27, 2006 through July 1, 2008 as commander of the 1st Space Brigade. Coffin was also presented with the Honorable Order of Saint Dominic Silver Award.

Campbell then awarded Cheryl the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal for her contributions and efforts to the Soldiers and Families of the 1st Space Brigade.

CoffinAca,!a,,cs next duty assignment is as the J3 with the 14th Air Force, Joint Forces Component Command for Space.