FORT STEWART, GA – Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Quintas assumed command of 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, and Hunter Army Airfield during a change of command ceremony on Monday morning at Cottrell Field.
Quintas previously served as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, United States Army Forces Command.
“I’m incredibly honored, humbled and really excited to be back here at Fort Stewart and with the 3rd Infantry Division,” he said.
Quintas had two previous assignments in 3rd Infantry Division, most recently as the division chief of staff and early in his career as a lieutenant.
Quintas assumed command from Maj. Gen. James Rainey who will serve on the Army Staff at the Pentagon as the Army Deputy Chief of Staff G-3/5/7.
Rainey, who assumed command of the division in Afghanistan in 2015, thanked his family, the soldiers on the field, veterans, and the surrounding communities for their support.
“It’s been an honor to serve with you and to be called a Dogface soldier,” he said.
Gen. Robert Abrams, Commander U.S. Forces Command, presided over the ceremony in place of XVIII Airborne Corps commander, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend who is currently serving in the Central Command area of responsibility.
Abrams, a former 3rd Infantry Division commander, thanked Rainey for his service and leadership of the division and praised him for being a “premier warfighter and trainer.”
Quintas will deploy late this summer with a portion of the division headquarters and assume the mission of the U.S. National Support Element in Afghanistan. He said that he has three goals while in command: the readiness of the division, maintain premier military installations, and to continue strengthening relationships with the community.
“To me, this is home,” Quintas said after taking command. “And it’s great to be home. Rock of the Marne.”
Date Taken: | 05.08.2017 |
Date Posted: | 05.09.2017 10:30 |
Story ID: | 233137 |
Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
Web Views: | 1,412 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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