Photo By Aaron Berogan | A howitzer cannon fires off a blank round to salute Brig. Gen. Frederick R. Maiocco...... read more read more
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — The air echoed as cannons fired, smoke and sulfur filled the sky, and the outgoing commanding general spoke his final words to his Soldiers.
Brigadier General Frederick R. Maiocco Jr., Commanding General, 85th Support Command, said good-bye to his Army family from the 85th Support Command, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, July 9, 2017, as he relinquished the colors to Maj. Gen. Tracy A. Thompson, Deputy Commanding General for Support, U.S. Army Reserve.
Maiocco, who will take command of the 7th Mission Support Command in Germany, said that the 85th SPT CMD represents some of the best Soldiers in the country.
“I am so humbled and thankful for the opportunity to have served here,” said Maiocco. “This is an amazing command and an amazing organization.”
Maiocco took command of the Army Reserve’s 85th SPT CMD on Aug. 1, 2014, commanding 46 battalions, 9 brigade support elements, and more than 4,000 troops spanning across the Continental United States and Puerto Rico. During his time as an Army Reserve commander, Maiocco played an integral part in ensuring that the 85th SPT CMD performed its role as a leader in the United States Army, ensuring troops are ready for any mission from the combatant commander.
“Our current efforts are to plan for a quick mobilization,” explained Thompson. “The 85th (Support Command) plays a huge role in that, as part of First Army, and will continue to play a huge role.”
The 85th Support Command exists in a unique position working side-by-side with First Army. The 85th SPT CMD controls administration duties for all of the Army Reserve Soldiers in First Army, ensuring that they have their required training, health assessments, and funding needed to deploy as soon as they are called.
“The 85th (Support Command) plays an important role with First Army,” explained Maj. Gen. Todd B. McCaffrey, Commanding General, First Army Division East. “We couldn’t accomplish our mission without them, and General Maiocco and the 85th made sure First Army could be successful.”
Maiocco said he could not be prouder of the command and expressed his praise to all Soldiers and civilians assigned.
“You are the unsung heroes,” said Maiocco. “I want to thank you for all your hard work. More than 4,000 troops are ready to deploy because of what you do here.”
Maiocco passed the command’s torch during the unit’s celebration of its 100th anniversary dating back to World War I when it was first stood up as an infantry division at Camp Custer, Michigan. A new commander is expected to take command of the “Custer Division” in September.
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2017 17:29 |
| Story ID: | 240997 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 169 |
| Downloads: | 5 |
This work, Army Reserve unit holds relinquishment of command ceremony, by Aaron Berogan, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
