CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea -- 2nd Infantry Division ROK-U.S. Combined Division held the Deputy Commanding Generals' (DCG) Patch Ceremony to commemorate three departing and three arriving DCGs on the new 2nd Infantry Division Parade Field June 15.
Maj. Gen. D. Scott McKean, commanding general, 2nd Infantry Division ROK-U.S. Combined Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Phil K. Barretto, 2nd Infantry Division ROK-U.S. Combined Division bid farewell to Brig. Gen. Jonathan E. Howerton, deputy commanding general-maneuver and Brig. Gen. Thomas R. Drew, deputy commanding general-support, at the patch ceremony. Brig. Gen. Kim, Tae Up, deputy commanding general-ROK, was acknowledged but not in attendance due to temporary duty assignment in Canada.
"It's important that we recognize his over two years of service with the 2nd ROK-U.S. Combined Division, but we are very happy to know that he isn't going far as he becomes the Eighth Army's first ROK deputy commanding general," said Maj. Gen. D. Scott McKean, commanding general, 2nd Infantry Division ROK-U.S. Combined Division. "A great tribute to his talent and ability to make the ROK-U.S. alliance even stronger," he said.
Brig. Gen. Kim, Yong Chul the incoming deputy commanding general-ROK, Brig. Gen. Stephen J. Maranian, deputy commanding general-maneuver, and Col. Michael C. McCurry, deputy commanding officer-support were formally welcomed to the Warrior Division.
The 2nd Infantry Division ROK-U.S. alliance originally formed in 2015 as the first ever combined division with fully integrated ROK Army Soldiers serving alongside U.S. Soldiers, making both the partnership and the patch ceremony unique to the division.
During the ceremony, McKean removed the combined division tabs from outgoing deputy commanding generals and placed them on the incoming deputy commanding generals; honoring those that served in the past and welcoming the new warriors to the team.
Brig. Gen. Thomas R. Drew, outgoing deputy commanding general-support described the combined division as maintaining a mission-first atmosphere. "I've witnessed the 'we-serve' motto every day of this tour," said Drew. "It's such a great place to be a Soldier; being part of the 2nd Infantry Division ROK-U.S. Combined Division has truly been an honor," he said.
McKean spoke on the exemplary performance of his departing brigadier generals. "Both are truly selfless servants who took every opportunity to coach, teach and mentor leaders across the division," he said.
This was the first patch ceremony to occur at Camp Humphreys, symbolizing the division headquarters upcoming transition to the sprawling new base located roughly two hours south of its current Uijeongbu location.
As he thanked the outgoing DCGs for a job well done and welcomed the three new senior leaders, McKean noted that the combined division is moving forward with a demanding year ahead.
"The division will continue to be served by great DCGs," said McKean. "I'm sure this year will be just as eventful as the last; get ready because it's a fast-moving machine."
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