WIESBADEN, Germany - Two U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden-based commands welcomed new leaders this month.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Europe District, bid farewell to Col. J. Richard Jordan III during a change of command ceremony July 2 at Wiesbaden’s Schloss Biebrich, which saw the assumption of command by Col. D. Peter Helmlinger.
Jordan departed to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C.
Presiding over the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Peter DeLuca, USACE North Atlantic Division commander, who praised Jordan for his success in overseeing many engineering and construction efforts during his interim five-month tenure with the Europe District.
"Trey Jordan has honestly been much more than a simple caretaker these past few months,” said DeLuca. “In addition to keeping all the plates spinning, he has made exceptional progress on project close-outs and projects like the KMC Medical Center. I’ve been very impressed.”
“Col. Pete Helmlinger has been an astute and excellent leader, engineer and negotiator throughout his career,” DeLuca continued. “He led his battalion superbly during the surge in Iraq while serving under my command, and I am excited to be on a team with him again. He is absolutely prepared for this job at this important time considering our role in Europe, Africa and the near East.”
Helmlinger is no stranger to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He most recently served as assistant director of Civil Works for USACE in Washington, D.C.
New AAFES-Europe commander
Maj. Gen. Bruce A. Casella, commander of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, presided over a ceremony July 15 at the Wiesbaden Entertainment Center that saw the passing of the AAFES-Europe colors and command from outgoing commander Col. Chuck Salvo to incoming leader Col. Fredrick J. Hannah.
“Today we’re honoring a superb Soldier and a great American,” said Casella while presenting Salvo with the Legion of Merit during the ceremony. Praising the outgoing commander’s “superb leadership skills” while serving at the AAFES-Europe Headquarters in Mainz-Kastel and while deployed downrange, Casella said Salvo provided “face-to-face coordination” that was critical to the AAFES mission of “providing support to war-fighters in austere location” and “building lifelong connections” with AAFES customers.
While helping oversee the drawdown of AAFES facilities in Iraq, Salvo also helped expand operations in Afghanistan to support service members, Casella said. “He is a true Soldier and also a talented diplomat.”
Salvo, who is moving on to assume duties as executive officer for the Army Material Command, thanked his “all-volunteer civilian workforce” for their dedication and service in Europe, Iraq and Afghanistan. “I’m incredibly proud to have been a member of this team.”
AAFES' senior leader also praised the incoming AAFES-Europe commander. “Col. Hannah has a lot credentials for this job,” he said, describing Hannah’s triple deployments to Southwest Asia and time served in Vilseck and Hohenfels. “You’re the right person for the right job at this time.”
Hannah most recently served as the commander of the 204th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division in Fort Carson, Colo., and Iraq.
During remarks Hannah said he was proud to join the AAFES staff to ensure service members “get the services and goods they deserve.”
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