By Maj. Daryle Sewell
7th Mission Support Command Public Affairs Office
DAENNER KASERNE, Kaiserslautern, Germany - The 7th Mission Support Command welcomed its new commanding general July 9 at a change of command ceremony.
With Maj. Gen. Duane A. Gamble, the 21st Theater Sustainment Command commanding general, presiding over the outdoor ceremony, 7th MSC colors were passed from outgoing commanding general Brig. Gen. Arlan DeBlieck to Brig. Gen. Steven W. Ainsworth.
DeBlieck assumed command of the 7th MSC in July of 2014. During his tenure, the unit participated in numerous joint international exercises, to include Anakonda Response 16 in Papa, Hungary and Daimel 15 in Manzanares, Spain. The 7th MSC also deployed personnel in support of the African Ebola Response mission.
The unit was re-designated as a Mission Support Command in 2015, bringing it in line with other Army Reserve organizations outside the continental United States.
In his parting words, DeBlieck reflected on the success and failures of expanding the U.S. Army Reserve strength in Europe.
"In many cases, we struggled at our first, second and third tries to do things. But in each iteration, we improved, and that's what counts," he said.
DeBlieck expressed sincere gratitude and pride to unit members.
"At the heart of the 7th MSC are the outstanding Soldiers and their families," he said. "Over the past two years, you have demonstrated Army Reserve capabilities by volunteering to fill gaps within Army Europe formations. I am honored to have been given the privilege to lead you."
Gamble praised Deblieck.
"He has been at the heart of the employment of the U.S. Army Reserve in Europe. Arlan's leadership has resulted in seamless integration with European Active component forces," Gamble said. "His list of accomplishments and the successes of the 7th MSC is long and would make anyone proud."
DeBlieck's next assignment will be the Commanding General of the 81st Regional Support Command at Fort Jackson, S.C. He has been selected for promotion to major general.
Ainsworth comes to the 7th MSC from the 94th Division Sustainment Command at Fort Lee, Virginia where he served as both the Commander and the Deputy Commander for the Sustainment Center of Excellence.
Ainsworth, who will take command effective Aug. 8, assumes command at a time when the Army has been adjusting to a higher than expected OPTEMPO with reduced manpower and resources, and heavier reliance on the Reserve component.
"Command is about the unit, mission and the Soldiers. It is an honor and I am humbled to be the next commander of the 7th MSC," he said. "We will work to expand our capabilities and capacities in order to support the 21st TSC and the Five Pillar strategy for Strong Europe. We will continue to represent the U.S. Army Reserve in Europe with honor and dignity."
Gamble welcomed Ainsworth to the 21st TSC family.
"You're taking command of unit made up of soldiers who execute their missions with reflexive competency," he said. "Steven's wide and diverse career skill sets, and ability to take on multiple challenges will serve U.S. Army Reserve Europe well."
The 7th MSC, based in Kaiserslautern, Germany is the only Army Reserve unit fully based in Europe. The 7th is trained and ready to provide forward-stationed consequence management command and control capabilities, civil support teams, civil affairs forces and all other assigned U.S. Army Reserve units in support of U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army. The command has nearly 1,000 Soldiers assigned to 22 reserve units, stationed throughout Germany and Vicenza, Italy.
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