HOHENFELS, Germany -- Col. Curtis A. Buzzard, a native of Philadelphia, Pa., is the new commander of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, also known as JMRC. JMRC is the only Army Combat Training Center outside the continental U.S.
Buzzard changed leadership with Col. Thomas H. Mackey on the JMRC airfield, in a ceremony witnessed by all tenant units of the command, much of the United States Army Europe leadership, and host-nation government and community leaders. Mackey and his family will depart Germany to join the XVIII Airborne Corps in Fort Bragg, N.C.
As Commander Operations Group, JMRC, Buzzard will lead the most realistic and challenging training that the U.S. Army can offer both U.S. and multinational armies. NATO High Readiness forces and U.S. Army Global Response Force units regularly deploy to Hohenfels in order to certify their readiness for their assigned missions.
"I know this is the right family to lead JMRC forward into the future," said Brig. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, Commander of the 7th Army Training Command.
Readiness of forces is a top objective of today's Army, and has always been a keystone of the training conducted at JMRC.
"We are a team, really a family, that works together and the result is a huge impact on readiness across Europe and the ability to deter potential adversaries," said Buzzard.
Buzzard brings a wealth of experience to JMRC from the 82nd Airborne Division, where he last served at Fort Bragg, N.C.
His education includes a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University and a Master's Degree in Military Science from the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College. He also served as a US Army War College Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC.
"I'm looking forward to leading a group of tremendously talented leaders and soldiers within JMRC, as well as working with a great garrison team and all of the tenant units, and a fabulous group of supporting communities in the surrounding area," said Buzzard.
Located in the heart of Bavaria, Germany, JMRC is centrally located among the highest concentration of U.S. allies and partners in the world.
"I look forward to being a part of the JMRC team, perpetuating their reputation as the premier and most agile training center, and ensuring a profound impact on the readiness of U.S. forces and our European Allies," said Buzzard.
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