The U.S. Army Pacific team bid farewell to Maj. Gen. Richard M. Burr, and welcomed Maj. Gen. Gregory C. Bilton, both from Australia, with a Flying V ceremony on Nov. 17 at historic Palm Circle on Fort Shafter, Hawaii.
The Flying V formation was represented by USARPAC's subordinate commands and theater-enabling commands. Its name refers to the V shape in which the colors are posted during the ceremony. The Commander of Troops was Maj. Gen. Todd B. McCaffrey, USARPAC chief of staff.
Burr was assigned to USARPAC as the Deputy Commanding General of Operations and was the first foreign General to be assigned to an major Army Service Component Command. As the USARPAC DCG-Operations he was responsible for the development, synchronization and alignment of more than 106,000 U.S. Army forces within the Asia-Pacific area of operations in support of the U.S. Pacific Command theater campaign plan.
"I have been very well received and warmly embraced and I feel like I am part of the broader multi-national team," said Burr. "I have really enjoyed representing the United States Army and specifically USARPAC in this role."
Burr's next assignment will be as the Deputy of the Army for the Australian Defence Force, but the commander of USARPAC, Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, believes that Burr won't stop at Deputy of the Army, but will continue his career even higher.
"Australia couldn't ask for a better leader, for a better soldier, a better warrior, a more caring and thoughtful individual and leader than [MG Burr], to be in whatever position they have waiting in the future. "
Replacing Burr will be Maj. Gen. Gregory C. Bilton, Australian Defense Force. Bilton comes to USARPAC after serving as the commander of the 7th Multi-Role Combat Brigade, Forces Command, Australian Army.
"We are truly getting one of the outstanding officers of the Australian Army," said Brooks. "I want you to know that you [Maj. Gen. Bilton] are arriving as a trusted partner from the beginning. Take that trust, get to know the rest of the team…and use your judgment to make a difference."
"It's a great honor to be joining the USARPAC team and to be welcomed this way here, in this spectacular setting," said Bilton. I would like to acknowledge my predecessor Maj. Gen. Rick Burr and his lovely wife. These are two people I respect immensely and I am grateful to them for paving the way for my wife and I to continue this appointment, which serves as a visible and tangible demonstration of the U.S. Army's commitment to partnering in the Pacific. Once again, thank you for today's honor and I look forward to working with you all. One Team!
Social Sharing