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YAKIMA TRAINING CENTER, Wash. – Lieutenant Colonel Luke Wittmer assumed command of Yakima Training Center from the outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Roger Gavriluk during a change of command ceremony June 19 in the Yakima Training Center gymnasium.
Colonel Skye Duncan, Joint Base Lewis-McChord Garrison commander, presided over the ceremony.
“I’m honored to welcome Col. Wittmer to YTC as part of our greater Joint Base Lewis-McChord team,” Duncan said. “We look forward to YTC’s continued path of excellence.”
A U.S. Military Academy graduate and career infantry officer, Wittmer previously served as the operations officer for the U.S. Army's Combined Arms Center Special Operations Directorate at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
During the ceremony, Gavriluk thanked YTC leaders, directorates and local leaders for their support during his time at Yakima.
“I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the incredible people that have supported my command and have continued to make YTC so successful,” Gavriluk said. “I’d like to send a huge thank you to our local partners, community leaders, the Yakima nation and Wanapum Tribes.”
Following the change of command, Wittmer spoke to attendees now under his command.
“My wife, Cristy, our three sons and I would like to thank everyone for the warm welcome we have received during our transition to the YTC community,” Wittmer said. “As a garrison, we are eager to work closely with the Joint Base Lewis-McChord team to support the warfighter, while caring for the tremendous workforce that makes it all happen here at YTC.”
As the YTC commander, Wittmer takes charge of one of the largest warfighter training areas in the Pacific Northwest. YTC spans more than 327,000 acres and hosts training for JBLM, Army, National Guard, Special Operations Command, Marine Corps, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, allied forces from Canda and Japan, local law enforcement and numerous federal agencies.
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