JOINT BASE LEWIS MCCHORD, Wash. -- Service members, community leaders, family and friends gathered at Watkins Field on Joint Base Lewis-McChord to welcome Col. Skye Duncan, incoming JBLM Garrison commander, and to say goodbye to Col. Nicole Lucas, outgoing garrison commander, at the change of command ceremony July 19.
At the ceremony, Duncan said he has heard nothing but wonderful things about the JBLM community.
"Victoria and I have heard great things everywhere we've traveled and with everyone we've talked to about what a great joint base family JBLM is," Duncan said. "Our only goal is to continue the legacy that Nicole has so adroitly set in motion to make (JBLM) even more joint and even more family. We've just enlarged our family by about 50,000 Airmen, civilians and Soldiers so I know you're looking forward to it as much as I am."
Brenda Lee McCullough, the Installation Management Command director of readiness, officiated the ceremony. She spoke of Lucas' leadership qualities and her drive to bring continued success to JBLM.
"It is indeed a privilege to be here with you as we salute an outstanding garrison commander and family for a job well done, and celebrate the arrival of an equally outstanding Soldier and family to assume leadership of U.S. Army Garrison Joint Base Lewis-McChord," McCullough said. "Nicole provided a critical role and was the driving force behind many of the successes that JBLM enjoyed over the last two years. Colonel Lucas was the most patient and professional leader who handled considerable pressure with the level of grace that many would find difficult to muster."
Duncan comes to JBLM from the Pentagon, where he directed Force Modernization and Mission Command on the Army Staff with the Chief Information Officer. He has served in a variety of positions since being commissioned from the Reserve Officer Training Program at Northwest Nazarene University, in Nampa, Idaho.
He has deployed to the Philippines, Iraq twice and to Afghanistan. Duncan is a graduate of the Signal Office Basic Course, the Infantry Captain Career Course, the Signal FA-53 Course, the Combined Arms Services and Staff School, three Combat Skills Training Courses, Air Assault School, High Risk Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape Course, Jumpmaster School, the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.
Lucas, who is retiring from the Army and moving with her family to Colorado Springs, Colo., thanked base leaders community members and gave an especially heartfelt thanks to her children, husband and extended family. Before concluding, she spoke about what an honor it was to serve as garrison commander and gave some words of advice to Duncan.
"It's been an honor to command the garrison and this great joint team and it's been a privilege to serve among each and every one of you every day," Lucas said. "I could not be more proud to pass the colors to Colonel Skye Duncan. He is the perfect leader to take this command. Skye, you have an amazing team -- trust them and enjoy it."
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