US Army NATO Brigade welcomes new leadership

By Sgt. 1st Class Crista Mary Mack, U.S. Army Europe Public AffairsJuly 13, 2016

German Army Kassel Band plays at NATO Brigade change of command ceremony
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WIESBADEN, Germany- The German Army Band Kassel was the official music for the U.S. Army NATO Brigade change of command July 12. NATO Brigade welcomed Col. Jason Riley as new brigade commander and honored outgoing commander Col. Karolyn Hooper, who i... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
New NATO Brigade commander speaks at change of command ceremony
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
NATO Brigade welcomes new commander
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WIESBADEN, Germany- Col. Jason Riley, new brigade commander of the U.S. Army NATO Brigade, views a formation representing the NATO Brigade at the brigade's official change of command ceremony July 12. Outgoing commander Col. Karolyn Hooper is retirin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Saluting at US Army NATO Brigade change of command ceremony
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WIESBADEN, Germany- From left, Col. Karolyn Hooper, outgoing commander of the U.S. Army NATO Brigade, Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, the U.S. Army Europe commanding general, and Col. Jason Riley, the incoming commander for the U.S. Army NATO Brigade, all salut... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Passing of the colors at NATO Brigade change of command
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WIESBADEN, Germany- Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, USAREUR commanding general, passes the official unit colors of the U.S. Army NATO Brigade to Col. Jason Riley, incoming commander for the brigade, signifying his assumption of command during a ceremony July 12... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Passing of the colors at NATO Brigade change of command
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WIESBADEN, Germany- Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, USAREUR commanding general, passes the official unit colors of the U.S. Army NATO Brigade to Col. Jason Riley, incoming commander for the brigade, signifying his assumption of command during a ceremony July 12... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany -- U.S. Army North Atlantic Treaty Organization Brigade outgoing commander Colonel Karolyn Hooper relinquished command to Col. Jason G. Riley, who assumed command with an official change of command ceremony at Clay Kaserne, Germany, July 12.

The ceremony was hosted by Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, USAREUR commanding general, who led the traditional passing of the colors during the ceremony. The passing of the unit colors represents the transfer of authority and responsibility for the unit from one commander to another.

"The NATO Brigade has done a great job and I am ready to see it continue under the new leadership of Col. Jason Riley," Hodges said.

"The NATO Brigade is an organization that communicates not through words but through actions and presence," said Hodges. "It is the key element of our enduring priority here at U.S. Army Europe to enhance the alliance, the most successful alliance in the history of the world."

The Germany Army Band Kassel played the ceremony, and represented in the formation of troops were Allied Forces North Battalion, from Mons, Belgium, Allied Forces South Battalion, from Naples, Italy, Headquarters and Headquarters Brigade, and the Allied Forces Special Operations Forces Battalio. U.S. Army Europe provided a Color Guard led by NATO Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Ira Russey and the formation was led by Lt. Col. Keith Purvis, NATO Brigade Deputy Commander.

United States Army NATO, now in its 66th year, consists of more than 3,000 Soldiers, civilians and family members. The brigade, currently headquartered at Sembach Kaserne, Germany, is dispersed across 3 continents, 21 countries and 38 locations.

"[The NATO Brigade] sends a clear important message to our allies, that when the call comes, their American teammates are ready to come alongside and go out the door with them," Hooper. Following this assignment, Hooper is retiring from Army service.

Riley joins NATO Brigade from U.S. Central Command where he served as the director of Task Force 2010, where he oversaw the vendor vetting program in support of Operations Resolute Support, Freedom's Sentinel and Inherent Resolve.

Related Links:

U.S. Army Europe

US Army NATO

U.S. Army Europe on Twitter

U.S. Army Europe on Facebook

U.S. Army Europe on Flickr

U.S. Army Europe on YouTube