FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. – The U.S. Army Information Systems Engineering Command (ISEC) welcomed Col. Ericka M. Brooks and bid farewell to Col. Daniel C. Wood in a change of command ceremony Friday at the Greely Hall Auditorium followed by Wood's retirement ceremony.
The transfer of authority was first ceremonially represented by the passing of the command’s official guidon, known as the unit’s colors.
“These colors represent not only the heritage and history of the unit, but also the unity involved in its Soldiers,” Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Runk explained. “The colors are the commander’s symbol of authority, representing the commander’s responsibility to the organization.
“Colonel Wood passes the colors to Major General Edmonson, thereby relinquishing his responsibilities and authority. Then, Major General Edmonson passes the colors to Colonel Brooks, charging the new commander with those same responsibilities and authority.”
After the passing of colors was completed, Maj. Gen. Robert Edmonson II, commanding general of U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command in Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, addressed the audience.
“You all just witnessed the change of command, and the passing of the colors,” he said. “And with that, the history, the tradition and the strength of the United States Army and ISEC continues.
“Holding command is a true privilege,” Edmonson continued. “It’s a role that is larger than any one person. The commander provides the vision for the unit, and is charged to place people first, because people are our most precious asset. And while the commander may change – they come and go over time – the colors will remain, and the mission will remain.”
The mission of ISEC can be traced back to 1963, when the Army’s Computer Control Information System Group was established.
“Today the United States Army Information Systems Engineering Command’s focus is to provide world-class communications and logistics support to enable the readiness of our warfighters,” Runk explained. “Whether supporting our service members during disaster relief, or combat deployments, the United States Army Information Systems Engineering Command’s whole team of trusted professionals stand ready to defend our nation’s most precious asset – the American Soldier.”
While Runk was able to sum up the mission in just a few short words, the outgoing commander admitted that, before he joined the unit, he had no idea who they were or what they did. He laughingly told the audience, “To be honest, like some of you sitting in the audience here, I had no idea what an ‘ISEC’ was.
“When I saw the acronym listed on a list of five brigade commands that I had the opportunity to compete for back in 2020, I wondered what the organization was,” Woods said. “So I started doing some research, and was truly amazed. I had no idea how many things this organization does to contribute to our nation’s safety.
“ISEC, builds, modernizes and secures the largest networks in the world and enables communication for the entire Department of Defense,” he summarized. “If you [as a Department of Defense employee] are calling someone, or sending an email, odds are you are utilizing capabilities that ISEC engineers have designed, installed, modernized or secured.”
Woods then thanked his bosses and especially the people who worked under his command, explaining that some of the people had been working at ISEC for over 20 years. He thanked them for their trust, dedication and expertise.
He then had some parting words for the incoming commander.
“Ericka, I leave, knowing [ISEC] is in good hands, and so are you,” Wood said. “You have amazing teammates that have taken on the hard tasks and continue to excel as they add value to our customers all over the planet. They aren’t just good people. They are a family.
“They are experts at what they do. They are professionals who are willing, humbly, to learn as you learn, and to help you do so as well.”
The new commander seemed to already agree with his assessment of the team. Brooks said that although she had only been here for a couple of weeks, the staff has “been immensely professional, and talented.
“You have a fantastic reputation. And I have a great deal of respect for what you have done and will continue to do. Thank you for your trust, and it is an honor to join your team.”
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Fort Huachuca is home to the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command/9th Army Signal Command and more than 48 supported tenants representing a diverse, multiservice population. Our unique environment encompasses 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges, key components to the national defense mission.
Located in Cochise County, in southeast Arizona, about 15 miles north of the border with Mexico, Fort Huachuca is an Army installation with a rich frontier history. Established in 1877, the Fort was declared a national landmark in 1976.
We are the Army’s Home. Learn more at https://home.army.mil/huachuca/.
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