HEIDELBERG, Germany -- Soldiers of U.S. Army Europe's theater enabling medical asset gathered with friends, Family Members, and area leaders here April 19, to say farewell to one commander and welcome another to the team.
Col. Koji D. Nishimura took command of the 30th Medical Command from Col. John M. Cho, during the unit's Change of Command Ceremony on the Nachrichten Kaserne Parade Field.
During the ceremony Brig. Gen. Nadja Y. West, the U.S. Army Europe command surgeon and commander of the Europe Regional Medical Command, commended Cho for his leadership and welcomed Nishimura and his wife to the 30th MEDCOM.
"Under his inspiring leadership, the 30th MEDCOM was taken to new heights of excellence and has a string of accomplishments that will have a lasting impact, not only on the unit, but to those that they support," said West. "Clearly our Army agrees that John and Kathy are a team that we need to keep in our Army and have serve at the next level of leadership. They have demonstrated this by selecting him for promotion to brigadier general and assigning him to a vital position in our medical command to take our Army Medical Department to the next level."
Cho expressed his thanks to his Family, colleagues, and friends, and recognized the unwavering dedication of the Soldiers of the "Best and Most Powerful MEDCOM in the World."
"Soldiers of the 30th Medical Command are the reason why this organization is successful," Cho said. "Kathy and I will truly miss all of you -- thank you for all of your support and may God bless all of you and your Families."
As one great leader departs, another takes the helm.
"As John and Kathy depart from 30th MEDCOM, it's being left in the extremely capable hands of another great Army Family. Koji brings a wealth of experience and a phenomenal leadership style and I know he will leverage them to add to the outstanding legacy that the 30th already has," West said.
Nishimura comes to the 30th MEDCOM after serving as the Chief of the Medical Corps Branch, U.S. Army Human Resources Command at Fort Knox, KY. He conveyed his happiness and excitement for the opportunity to lead the Soldiers of the 30th MEDCOM, and acknowledged the impact of Colonel and Mrs. Cho.
"Colonel-promotable and Mrs. Cho, today is your day. The Soldiers are standing out here to honor you for your service and for your commitment to the units. Thank you for what you've done," Nashimura said. "I feel truly blessed to be here today and have the opportunity to serve."
The 30th MEDCOM, headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, is the theater-enabling medical command asset for the European Command theater of operations. Its Soldiers provide medical support for combat, humanitarian assistance and training missions for U.S. European Command, U.S. Army Europe, U.S. Africa Command, U.S. Central Command, and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and Kosovo Force.
For more information on Nishimura and the 30th Medical Command, visit the 30th MEDCOM homepage at www.30thmed.army.mil.
Story and photos by Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Fincham, 30th MEDCOM Public Affairs Noncommissioned Officer. For more information please contact him at 30thmed.pao@us.army.mil.
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