The Office of Program Manager-Saudi Arabian National Guard (OPM-SANG) conducted a change of charter ceremony at the Ministry of National Guard ’s (MNG) Command and General Staff College in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Aug. 1, 2024.
Brig. Gen. Richard Quirk, the Senior Defense Official-Defense Attaché for Saudi Arabia presided over the ceremony, in which Col. Michael J. Trotter relinquished his duties as OPM-SANG Program Manager to Col. Wade A. Germann.
The event was attended by members of government and military organizations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, representatives from industry, and dignitaries from the United States Embassy in Saudi Arabia and MNG. These included United States Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Mr. Michael Ratney and MNG's Acting Chief of the Military Organization His Excellency Maj. Gen. Saleh Bin Abdulrahman Alharbi.
Quirk praised the 51-year partnership between the MNG and OPM-SANG.
“This is a day to celebrate the excellence of OPM-SANG, the vibrancy of a storied partnership, and the impact of an outstanding Soldier-Diplomat," said Quirk.
He applauded MNG for its readiness in protecting Saudi citizens and residents from natural dangers and maligned threats. Quirk also recognized MNG's "bold moves" in future training initiatives, acceleration in meeting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 localization objectives, and the future aviation participation in National Training Center rotations.
Quirk thanked Trotter for his "fearless and courageous" leadership of OPM-SANG over the past 24 months and for leading the partnership to a place of firm footing where such initiatives could be realized. He wished Trotter and his family well in his next assignment at Fort Cavazos, Texas.
During his remarks, Trotter presented a video that highlighted the accomplishments of MNG and OPM-SANG over the past two years. He credited the positive relationships shared between partners as the source of the accomplishments.
"This has been the honor of my nearly 35 years in uniform," said Trotter expressing gratitude for his tenure as Program Manager.
Germann will serve as OPM-SANG's 27th Program Manager. He comes to Riyahd from the Republic of Korea, where he served as the Chief of Staff, 2nd Infantry ROK-US Combined Division.
Germann thanked Trotter for his dedication to OPM-SANG and expressed his excitement in joining the organization.
"I am truly honored and humbled to be part of this invaluable partnership between the United States and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” said Germann. “I reaffirm to you our commitment, to many more years of a successful collaboration strengthened by each of our mutual trust.”
For the past 51 years, the United States Army, through OPM-SANG, has partnered with the Saudi Arabian National Guard to develop various capabilities including tactical advising, training support, construction, health affairs, procurement, and sustainment of mechanized and aviation brigades.
OPM-SANG currently manages 67 foreign military sales cases valued at over $24 billion, making it one of the largest Army organizations of its kind. OPM-SANG is a subordinate organization of the United States Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC), which executes the Army's security assistance and foreign military sales programs across the world.
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