BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Lt. Col. Brian Knieriem took command of the 401st Army Field Support Battalion-Afghanistan during a change of command ceremony, here, Aug. 3.
Knieriem assumed command from Lt. Col. Danny Robinson, who held the position since 2016.
Robinson is now slated to work in the Army G-4 (logistics) at the Pentagon.
Col. Carmelia Scott-Skillern, commander, 401st Army Field Support Brigade, presided over the ceremony.
"Today we gather to recognize, thank, and bid farewell to LTC Danny Robinson after an outstanding year of command in a fluid combat environment with rapidly changing requirements," Scott-Skillern said.
"But it takes more than an understanding of the mission to be successful," she said. "It takes strong leadership, and a great command team -- something Lt. Col. Robinson has demonstrated at the highest level, earning him the respect and admiration of those who served with him and those he supported."
Under Robinson's watch, the battalion provided mission command of two Logistics Task Force elements, two Brigade Logistics Support Teams, two Maintenance Contact Teams, and seven Maintenance Support Teams that provide Army Enterprise sustainment to all units in the battlespace as well as to the Theater Reserve Force set, Route Clearance Package, and an Engineer Equipment Park.
To mark the transfer of command, Master Sgt. Jerome Roebuck, senior enlisted advisor, AFSBn-Afghanistan, handed the unit colors to Robinson, who then passed them to Scott-Skillern. Scott-Skillern continued the rotation to Knieriem. With his position as commander established, Knieriem then passed the colors back to Roebuck for safekeeping.
In his farewell remarks, Robinson thanked his teammates and welcomed Knieriem.
"To the battalion Soldiers, Army civilians, and contractors -- you have brought nothing but pride to the organization as well as yourselves," Robinson said. "I pray that you are all safe and wish you God speed in completing your time here and going on to even bigger and better things.
"Last, but certainly not least, I have to thank my beautiful bride of 20 years this month and our two boys. It's been long and challenging, but I will be home soon."
Knieriem comes to Afghanistan from the University of California, where he served as the Department Chair and Professor of Military Science.
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