Photo By Joe Battle | Lt. Gen. Frank Wiercinski, commander, U.S. Army Pacific passes the colors of the 25th...... read more read more
Subscribe
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii-- In the shadow of the Waianie mountains, hundreds of Tropic Lightning soldiers from every element of the 25th Infantry Division marched in almost precise rhythm onto Weyand Field the morning of April 5 to ceremoniously and personally say goodbye to a seasoned leader and to also welcome in a new top officer.
In the presence of a crowd of fellow soldiers, community leaders, veterans, friends and families, Maj. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux passed the Tropic Lightning Division colors and, in doing so, relinquished command of the 25th Infantry Division to Maj. Gen. Kurt Fuller during the 25th Infantry Division’s Change of Command ceremony on Weyand Field, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, April 5.
Lt. Gen.Francis Wiercinski, commander, U.S. Army Pacific hosted the change of command ceremony and gave a brief opening statement before handing the microphone over to Champoux.
To begin his remarks to the Tropic Lightning Division, Champoux spoke highly of the character ingrained in the soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division he has served with, both while deployed and when at home station.
“The ethos of the soldiers before you could not be more plainly, nor powerfully captured,” he announced to the audience. “With all their brothers and sisters in the Army; including all of their sister services; Active, Guard and Reserve; they are less than 1% of America’s population.
“They do a lot, and are willing to do even more,” he continued. “Although not always perfect, they define, live and at times export what is best about America and the character or Americans … tough, dedicated, faithful, determined, principled, fearless and compassionate.”
Champoux also recognized and declared his appreciation of the Families of the Tropic Lightning Division and their support, to which he said was essential the success of the Tropic Lightning Division’s missions.
“We acknowledge and appreciate that you also serve and that you are a critical part of our service; we are humbled by your selflessness and by how you handle the many sacrifices,” said Champoux to the Tropic Lightning families. “We simply couldn’t do it without you, but more importantly – we wouldn’t want to do it without you!”
Champoux has commanded the 25th Infantry Division since Feb. 19, 2010. He has led the Tropic Lightning Division through combat deployments in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
He was the last U.S. division commander on the ground in Iraq and was directly responsible for overseeing operational-level command and control needed to facilitate the historical withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq in compliance with the 2008 Security Agreement, which called for the withdrawal all U.S. combat troops by the end of 2011.
“All of us in the Tropic Lightning Division appreciate having been selected to be the last U.S. division headquarters and organization in Iraq,” Champoux told members of the press during a Nov. 17, 2011, Pentagon press brief while deployed in support of Operation New Dawn in Iraq. “The task of receding U.S. forces from Iraq in accord with the deadline set by the security agreement has involved drawing down and dismantling bases, organizations, operational structures and capabilities, processes and support functions which we created and refined over many years.”
“These are historic times, in many ways, and the mission of coming last in this, as in any activity, is distinctively challenging,” he told the press.
During his opening remarks, Weircinski defined the way Champoux handled and accomplished the historic task of drawing all U.S. forces out of Iraq by proclaiming to the crowd, “no one else could have done it better than he did.”
Serving as the commander of the Tropic Lightning Division was not the first experience Champoux had with the 25th Infantry Division. Throughout his career, Champoux had previous assignments with the 25th ID such as serving as the assistant division commander for operations, 25th Inf. Div. (Light) and commander, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds.”
When the division deployed to Afghanistan, he served as the deputy commanding general for Operations, Combined Joint Task Force 76.
Champoux later returned to Afghanistan and served as both deputy commander for Security, and deputy chief of staff for Operations, International Security and Assistance Force.
Champoux’s next assignment is to serve as the assistant chief of Staff of the United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command/U.S. Forces Korea and deputy commanding general of 8th U.S. Army in Korea.
“All right, I’m done … literally,” Champoux announced jokingly to the crowd. “Thank you for all you do and have done for these soldiers, our families and this division. And thank you for your faithful service, love, support and friendship. It has been an honor of a lifetime to serve in your ranks and to wear the Tropic Lightning patch.
“Mahalo nui loa. Malama Pono. Ke akua pu … A hui hou - Tropic Lightning!” Champoux concluded.
After his remarks, Champoux turned to his successor, gave a firm handshake and turned control of the podium to the newest commander of the U.S. Army’s Tropic Lightning Division, Maj. Gen. Kurt Fuller.
Fuller, a native of Oklahoma, comes to the 25ID from Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served as the deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command since July 26, 2010.
“We couldn’t be happier to be here,” Fuller announced to the crowd and soldiers in formation. “I am honored and humbled to assume the duties as your commanding general and pledge my full commitment. Tropic Lightning! ”
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2012 08:35 |
| Story ID: | 86436 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 367 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, US Army's Tropic Lightning Division says goodbye to seasoned leader, welcomes new top officer, by Joe Battle, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
