409th CSB welcomes new commander

By Sgt. Fay ConroyJuly 13, 2009

409th CSB welcomes new commander
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Yves Fontaine, the commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, passes the brigade colors to the commander of the 409th Contracting Support Brigade, Col. Debra Daniels, during her change of command ceremony held at Panzer Par... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
409th CSB welcomes new commander
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command's Color Guard present arms during a change of commander ceremony for the 409th Contracting Support Brigade held at Panzer Parade Field July 9. Col. Debra Daniels assumed command from Col. Stephen Lei... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany - Soldiers, civilians and families of the 409th Contracting Support Brigade, as well as the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, gathered at Panzer Parade Field to welcome the 409th CSB's new commander.

Col. Debra Daniels assumed command from Col. Stephen Leisenring during a change of command Ceremony in Kaiserslautern, Germany, July 9.

Leisenring, the outgoing commander of the 409th CSB, had nothing but good things to say about the incoming commander.

"You could not ask for a better officer to assume command," said Leisenring, who also had some words of advice for his former Soldiers that were standing on the field.

"Remember that everything you do is for the Soldiers and their families. All of the things that you have to put up with and all of the processes and procedures that you have to follow are important," Leisenring said.

Daniels also had encouraging words for the Soldiers in her new command.

"I am truly humbled to stand before you and have the opportunity to take command of the greatest contracting support brigade in the United States Army - the 409th," she said. "I know that when much is given, much is also expected. And I understand that."

Leisenring has served as the commander of the 409th CSB since its activation in September of 2007. His next assignment is with the Mission Installation Contacting Command at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.

Daniels was previously assigned to the European Contracting Command as the commander of the Wiesbaden Contracting Center. She also served as the executive officer for the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics, and Technology, and as the director of contract operations for the Assistant Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement.

The 409th CSB plans and executes contingency, operational and sustainment contracting in support of U.S. Army Europe and the 7th Army as well as U.S. European Command and U.S. Africa Command. The 409th CSB falls under the operational control of the 21st TSC.

"The unit you see before you is the first operational contracting brigade and, in my opinion, the premier contracting support organization in the Army," said Maj. Gen. Yves Fontaine, the commanding general of the 21st TSC, who officiated over the ceremony and provided the opening remarks.