HHC AMCOM Soldiers have new commander

By Samuel "Skip" Vaughn, AMCJune 6, 2018

HHC AMCOM Soldiers have new commander
From the left, Capt. Quinton Watkins, Col. Shawn Prickett and Capt. Tracy Ariza participate in a change of command ceremony for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Aviation and Missile Command on May 30. Ariza joined HHC AMCOM as its new commander... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

After three years at Redstone in which he commanded a company the past year, Huntsville native Capt. Quinton Watkins is truly going home where his heart is.

His next assignment is Fort Knox, Kentucky, where his wife, Maj. Amanda Watkins, is stationed. The couple have a daughter, Elise.

Watkins will join the Recruiting Command at Fort Knox as chief of enlisted strength. He relinquished command of the nearly 700 Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Aviation and Missile Command, in a ceremony May 30 in Bob Jones Auditorium.

"I'm so thankful and so blessed to have the opportunity to take command of HHC AMCOM at Team Redstone," Watkins, 38, said.

Capt. Tracy Ariza, a native of Stuart, Florida, is the new commander. She served as the plans and operation officer and strength manager for the deputy chief of staff G-1, human capital, at the Army Contracting Command.

"I would like to thank Maj. Gen. (Doug) Gabram for giving me this opportunity," Ariza, 44, said referring to the commander of the Aviation and Missile Command.

Col. Shawn Prickett, the AMCOM chief of staff, served as host for the change of command ceremony. He praised Watkins for his leadership of the company and he welcomed Ariza to the team.

"I know you're ready for the task at hand," he said. "You are the right officer at the right time."