On an overcast, Friday morning at Memorial Field, Rock Island Arsenal, the Joint Munitions Command conducted a relinquishment of command ceremony in which Jyuji D. Hewitt, deputy to the commander, assumed responsibility from Brig. Gen. Larry Wyche, commander. Lt. Gen. James H. Pillsbury, deputy commander, Army Materiel Command, Fort Belvoir, Va., presided.
Pillsbury commended Wyche for his hard work at JMC and expressed his praise for the command. "There is no better organization than JMC for safety."
Pillsbury had succinct advice for Hewitt on his new duties. He said, "You're in charge. When in charge, take charge."
Wyche, who became commander of JMC in August 2008, will become deputy chief of staff for logistics and operations for AMC.
Wyche thanked everyone present for their assistance during his tenure at Rock Island Arsenal. In a speech laden with football references, the avid Minnesota Vikings fan said, "My message is short. Simply, thank you to each and every one as part of a Superbowl team." He joked, "I love each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart, but I love the Vikings better!"
Wyche also thanked the Quad City community. "I have never felt such continuous heartfelt support. I pray that the strong partnership between this community and the arsenal continues to stay strong."
Concerning his two years at JMC, Wyche said, "My most precious memory is of the ceremony honoring over 70 JMC retirees for 40 plus years each of service. These people are our true pioneers and heroes."
Hewitt assumed responsibility until Brig. Gen. Gustave Perna, currently director of logistics, U.S. Forces-Iraq, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraq, takes command in the fall.
Since 2007, Hewitt has served as deputy to the commander, and is the senior civilian in JMC. Previously, Hewitt was the JMC chief of staff as an active duty Army colonel. He also served at the headquarters of AMC as the deputy chief of staff. Other past assignments included serving as commander of two JMC installations in McAlester, Okla., and in Middletown, Iowa.
Addressing Hewitt, Wyche said, "Thank you for providing the link between the mission and the people. I know you will have great success during the transition period between me and Brig. Gen. Perna. He will have a great leader and supporter in you. Continue to guide this great organization in fulfilling its role in supporting the warfighter. I know you will."
Hewitt then thanked Wyche for his service. "Because of your great leadership, JMC excels in its mission to deliver the right ammunition, at the right place, on time, every time. Sir, you have been an inspiration to us all, and we will miss you."
"You have charged me with continuing to guide this great organization in fulfilling its role in supporting the warfighter. I pledge to continue the JMC's mission, and with this great team here, I know we are up to the task," said Hewitt.
From its headquarters at Rock Island Arsenal, JMC operates a nationwide network of conventional ammunition manufacturing plants and storage depots, and provides on-site ammunition experts to U.S. combat units wherever they are stationed or deployed. JMC's customers are U.S. forces of all military services, other U.S. government agencies, and allied nations.
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