Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command

By Spc. Hannah TarkellySeptember 21, 2018

Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
1 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S., Canadian and Romanian service members, local civic leaders and civilians attend a change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray assumed command of the Black Sea Area Supp... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
2 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S., Canadian and Romanian service members, local civic leaders and civilians attend the change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray assumed command of the Black Sea Area Su... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
3 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S., Canadian and Romanian service members, local civic leaders and civilians attend the change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray assumed command of the Black Sea Area Su... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
4 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Steven Shapiro, the 21st Theater Sustainment Commander gives a speech during the change of ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray assumed command of the Black Sea Area... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
5 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Lt. Col. Henry McCaskill leads U.S., Canadian and Romanian service members, local civic leaders and civilians in a prayer during the change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S. Army Col. W... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
6 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S., Canadian and Romanian service members, local civic leaders and civilians salute during the change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray assumed command of the Black Sea ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
7 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S., Canadian and Romanian service members, local civic leaders and civilians attend the change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray assumed command of the Black Sea Area Su... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
8 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S., Canadian and Romanian service members, local civic leaders and civilians salute during the change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray assumed command of the Black Sea ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
9 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray, the new commander of the Black Sea Area Support Team talks with a Canadian service member after the change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S., Canadian and Romanian s... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
10 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray gives a speech and assumes command of the Black Sea Area Support Team in place of U.S. Army Col. James McGlaughn during the change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S., ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
11 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Col. James McGlaughn, the former commander of the Black Sea Area Support Team, poses for a photo with a Romanian civic leader after the change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S., Canadia... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Strong Europe: Black Sea Area Support Team Changes Command
12 / 12 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray, the new commander of the Black Sea Area Support Team cuts the cake in honor of the change of command ceremony at the Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, Sept. 17, 2018. U.S., Canadian and Romanian service members, l... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

MIHAIL KOGALNICEANU AIR BASE, Romania - U.S. Army Col. Wesley Murray assumed command of the Black Sea Area Support Team in place of U.S. Army Col. James McGlaughn during the change of command ceremony, Sept. 17, 2018.

The BSAST focuses upon integrating the U.S. with multinational partners and allies to ensure Strong Europe and interoperability within Romania and Bulgaria.

Murray took the place of McGlaughn who has been in command of the BSAST since Oct. 1st, 2017. McGlaughn bided a farewell and welcomed Murray to his new position.

"It is bittersweet," McGlaughn said. "I have been blessed."

Murray served ten years on active duty before transitioning to the Alabama Army National Guard where he has served in multiple positions across the world.

"I look forward to working with our Romanian hosts," Murray said.

U.S., Canadian and Romanian service members, local civic leaders and civilians attended the ceremony to support new command and the sustainment of good relations across Europe.

Various countries joined together, shook hands, exchanged smiles and welcomed Murray to the BSAST in support of a long lasting multinational relationship.

"God bless the alliance," said honored guest U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Steven Shapiro, the 21st Theater Sustainment Commander.