Change of command marks V Corps transition in Germany

By Karl Weisel (IMCOM)July 1, 2011

Change of command marks V Corps transition in Germany
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Change of command marks V Corps transition in Germany
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Terry A. Wolff, former U.S. Army Europe and 1st Armored Division commander, passes the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, V Corps, colors to incoming HHB commander, Lt. Col. Alan T. Lindley, as outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Matthew F. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany - V Corps took another step toward settling into its new home in Wiesbaden June 24 by welcoming its new Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion commander.

Lt. Col. Matthew F. Rasmussen passed the reins of HHB, V Corps, to Lt. Col. Alan T. Lindley during a change of command ceremony on Wiesbaden Army Airfield.

“What a path for V Corps and the U.S. Army Europe,” said Maj. Gen. Terry A. Wolff, former USAREUR deputy commander and host of the ceremony.

“This is all about welcoming a new commander and a new command team,” said Wolff, adding that the change of command was another milestone in the overall transformation of U.S. Forces in Europe. “This is also about change … standing up the V Corps Headquarters in Wiesbaden … for the eventual move of USAREUR to Wiesbaden.

“They’re the leading edge of getting the USAREUR team here,” Wolff said.

Citing the long history of V Corps in Europe " its distinguished engagement during two world wars and during more recent combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, Wolff said, “V Corps was always leading the way.

“It’s a unit that’s seasoned in Europe,” he added.

The former 1st Armored Division commander who will next serve as the director of force development for the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, in Washington, D.C., also praised the outgoing commander’s leadership during a time when V Corps was originally slated to inactivate, but instead headed to Afghanistan managing command posts there and relocated from Heidelberg to Wiesbaden. Citing the V Corps’ motto " “It Will Be Done” " Wolff said Rasmussen was a dedicated leader who “seized the initiative” and was “flexible to the get the job done. ... It’s about being customer focused and it is truly about caring.”

“Soldiers of V Corps … thank you for your service and your willingness to sacrifice for freedom and democracy,” said Rasmussen, singling out his senior noncommissioned officers for serving as role models throughout the transition. “It’s all about people … and they represent the best of those Soldiers standing in front of us.”

Wolff welcomed HHB’s new commander and mentioned that Lindley had served previously in Wiesbaden as detachment commander for 39th Finance and 8th Finance Battalions. “Welcome to the Victory Corps and the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion,” Wolff said.

Lindley, who kept his remarks short, began his command by thanking his Soldiers for their continued dedicated service. “Your hard work and sacrifice is very much appreciated.”

V Corps, which was established during World War I in Remiremont, France, in July 1918, became operational in Wiesbaden on June 1 of this year. The corps is the only permanently forward-deployed corps in the U.S. Army.

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