HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- The U.S. Army Security Assistance Training Management Organization welcomed incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Lamkins and bid farewell to departing Command Sgt. Maj. Brian A. Hester during a change of responsibility ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., Aug. 26.

USASATMO Commander Col. Gerald Boston officiated the ceremony. USASATMO is a subordinate organization of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, which has a 51-year history of providing security assistance and foreign military sales to approved foreign partners. Employing more than 270 Soldiers, Department of Army Civilians and Contractors, USASATMO meets the security assistance requirements of foreign nations by deploying U.S.-based training teams to more than 25 countries throughout the globe.

Hester's next assignment will be as the command sergeant major of the Office of Security Cooperation Iraq. He has served in several infantry and other critical assignments, including as operational advisor and troop sergeant major for the Asymmetric Warfare Group at Fort Meade, Md. Hester has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF 3 and OEF 10-11), Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF 04-05 and OIF 07-09), Operation Compass 11-12 and Operation Joint Guardian, KFOR17.

Lamkins is a Greensboro, N.C. native and previously served as the command sergeant major for 3rd Cavalry, 73rd Cavalry Regiment of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.