SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Illinois (July 9, 2016) -- Capt. Cherry M. Black assumed command of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command's Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment from Capt. Ross P. Calvert in a ceremony conducted at the Transportation Plaza outside SDDC headquarters here Friday.
SDDC's chief of staff, Col. Jordan S. Chroman, officiated the ceremony.
"Although we are losing a great leader in Capt. Calvert, I take comfort in knowing that he is being replaced by someone equally as capable," said Chroman. "Capt. Cherry Black comes directly from command of a maintenance company and her maturity and experience will help her as she guides our HHD to new levels of excellence."
Black was commissioned as a Quartermaster officer in 2009 following graduation from the University of Alabama in Birmingham. She is a graduate of the Combined Logistics Captain's Career Course and has deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Spartan Shield.
"I'm very excited to be a part of this team and look forward to working with everyone," said Black, who comes to SDDC from Fort Riley where she commanded the 1st Support Maintenance Company of the 541st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
Black's husband, Maj. Brian Lust, also attended the ceremony. The dual-military couple has two sons, DJ and Jeremiah.
Calvert, a Transportation officer, reported to SDDC in May 2014 as the aide de camp to the deputy commander and assumed command of HHD in May 2015.
Retired Col. David Gaffney, former SDDC deputy commander and Calvert's previous boss, was on hand for the ceremony.
"I couldn't miss Ross's ceremony," said Gaffney. "He is an outstanding young officer who has left an indelible, positive mark on this command."
Joining Calvert at the ceremony were wife Amber and daughters Alina and Elyse. Calvert will next attend the Captain's Career Course at Fort Lee.
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