FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- The Aviation Center Logistics Command welcomed a new senior NCO as Command Sgt. Maj. Antonio R. Lopez assumed responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Daryle W. Pilkinton during a ceremony at the U.S. Aviation Museum July 14.
The organizational colors passed from Pilkinton to Col. Michael J. Best, ACLC commander, to Lopez during the ceremony, signifying the relinquishing of responsibility from the outgoing to the incoming command sergeant major.
Best said he's fully confident that Lopez is the right leader to take the reins.
"As we bid farewell to the Pilkintons, we welcome the Lopezes to the ACLC family and we couldn't have asked for a finer noncommissioned officer to join our ranks," he added. "I have no doubt that Sergeant Major Lopez will move our command to even higher heights as he takes command with us today. We welcome you and your family, and I look forward to working with you. I look forward to how you will help us and integrate us at four more locations, and make that seamless to our TRADOC partners and friends."
Lopez comes to Fort Rucker with a wealth of experience, having held various positions in numerous assignments across multiple continents, to include the 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment in Hanau, Germany; the 1st Bn., 3rd Avn. Regt. at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 11th Aviation Brigade in Illesheim, Germany; and 1st Bn., 229th Avn. Regt. in Fort Hood, Texas.
He's also held numerous leadership positions, including battalion command sergeant major for the 4th Bn., 3rd Avn. Regt., Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia; and brigade command sergeant major for 1st Armored Division, Combat Aviation Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas, and has served in multiple deployments, including to Bosnia in support of the Implementation Force; Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Thunder; Iraq in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom; and Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom XIII.
With his experience, Lopez said he vows to uphold the ACLC mission and do what he can to make sure the team excels.
I'm honored to assume responsibility of the ACLC team, and I will do my best every single day to take it to the next level -- that's my promise to the team," said the incoming command sergeant major. "Colonel Best, I look forward to working with you and for you, and I will promise you three things: I will lead from the front, I will lead by example and I will never let you down."
Best expressed his appreciation to Pilkinton for his dedication and leadership to the organization.
"[Pilkinton] has been the muscle of this organization from reorganizing our command, to managing and caring for our military and civilian personnel, and to providing maintenance expertise on a daily basis," said the ACLC commander. "Sergeant major, you epitomize the servant leader that we all wish that we could be.
Pilkinton said he has complete confidence in Lopez's leadership, and believes that the new command sergeant major will be up to the task.
"Training Soldiers -- that's it, that's an NCO's responsibility. Here at Fort Rucker, the ACLC mission is about making pilots of the nation's sons and daughters," he said. "ACLC is truly the honing stone that sharpens the Aviation, Fires and Maneuver edges of the Army spear.
"It is important to maintain continuity, but just as important to welcome change, and today I pass the mantle of leadership and responsibility to Sergeant Major Antonio Lopez," said the outgoing command sergeant major. "I look forward to watching the organization grow and flourish under his capable leadership."
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