FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- Col. Anthony "Andy" Munera took the reins of the 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, June 25 at Gammon Field.
Munera assumed command of the "Dauntless" brigade during a change of command ceremony that welcomed him and said farewell to Col. James F. Reckard III.
"Just so there is no doubt, let me introduce myself. I am Andy Munera and I am a Soldier in the 'Big Red One': brave, responsible and on point," Munera said.
Maj. Gen. Paul E. Funk, commander of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Grinston, 1st Inf. Div. senior noncommissioned officer, traveled from the Big Red One's home at Fort Riley, Kan., to oversee the ceremony.
"Today we celebrate the 4th MEB's change of command between Jay Reckard and Andy Munera -- two extraordinary men who I feel privileged to serve with," Funk said.
Funk continued by describing the unique mission of the 4th MEB. The crowd listened as Funk touted the Dauntless brigade's professionalism, saying it helped to assure the American people and U.S. allies that the uniform they wear brought hope.
The 4th MEB is a mission-tailored force that conducts support area operations, maneuver support operations and support to consequence management and stability operations in order to assure the mobility, protection and freedom of action of the supported force, according to information from the brigade.
On Oct. 1, 2013, the 4th MEB assumed responsibility as Task Force-Operations for the Joint Task Force-Civil Support Defense Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Response Force mission. The 4th MEB's DCRF mission is to save lives and mitigate human suffering in a homeland chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear environment.
The 4th MEB redeployed and deployed several companies, battalions and numerous smaller echelon units into theaters of operations throughout the world. The flexibility of the 4th MEB is showcased with the diversity of its missions. Soldiers with the 4th MEB recently augmented Special Forces units in Afghanistan with Military Mine Detection dogs and others recently deployed to Romania to provide fire fighting support at the military's new transit hub.
Units from the 4th MEB participate in multiple training exercises, including at the Fort Irwin, Calf.-based National Training Center and the Joint Maneuver Training Center in Indiana.
The brigade also provides support to Fort Leonard Wood and the surrounding communities through efforts such as military police patrols, severe weather response and partnerships with outlying communities and schools.
"So, Andy, those are the reins you are about to wrap your hands around," Funk said.
Reckard was quick to acknowledge those who served under his command.
"For the past two years, we have been blessed with superior leaders," Reckard said, thanking his command teams.
Munera comes to Fort Leonard Wood from the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., where he was a student. Reckard will next serve at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence at Fort Leonard Wood.
"Jay, you have commanded with distinction and the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence is gaining a world-class chief of staff," Funk said. "Andy, you are a proven leader and I can think of no one more ready to lead the Dauntless brigade."
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