The Office of the Program Manager for the Saudi Arabian National Guard welcomed its incoming Program Manager and paid tribute to the departing PM at a Change of Charter ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on June 9.
Col. D. Alan McKewan assumed the title as PM for OPM-SANG from the outgoing PM, Col. Wade Germann.
Brig. Gen. Allen Pepper, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command, served as host for the ceremony. OPM-SANG, which is part of the Army Materiel Command, has a 52-year history and its role is to assist the Ministry of National Guard modernization efforts to develop a more capable, self-sufficient defense force while enhancing the vital partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States.
“I can assure you, as we bid Colonel Germann farewell, that he brought to bear decades of superior Army experience to manage the Army’s largest Foreign Military Sales program,” consisting of 64 FMS cases valued at $23 billion, said Pepper. “Under his leadership, OPM-SANG achieved remarkable synchronization and focus, bolstering the realization of Vision 2030.”
Germann leaves OPM-SANG in the hands of McKewan, who previously served at U.S. Central Command’s Washington Liaison Office, as principal liaison to the Office of Secretary of Defense, Joint Staff, and the Interagency.
To McKewan, Pepper said, “This is critical experience that will be put to good use, quickly.President Trump’s recent visit shows how important the Kingdom is for us; you’ve been entrusted to lead an important aspect of that relationship.”
Dignitaries from the American Embassy and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other U.S. stakeholders in the country attended.
OPM-SANG is a subordinate organization of USASAC, which executes the Army’s security assistance and foreign military sales program, strengthens U.S. alliances and partnerships, and supports Combatant Commander engagement strategies.
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