FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The 10th Transportation Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade hosted a change-of-command and change-of-responsibility ceremony at 3rd Port, Fort Eustis, Va., July 20.
"This is a look at the future of the Army," said Col. Lawrence Kominiak, the 7th Sus. Bde. commander. "Command teams are coming into battalion positions together, and leaving together."
Lt. Col. Megan Gumpf took command, and Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Reed assumed responsibility of the 10th Trans. Bn. Gumpf comes to Fort Eustis from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and Reed from Fort Hood, Texas.
"We are both very excited and ready to take charge of this amazing group of Soldiers," said Gumpf. "We want to thank all the Soldiers who came out for the ceremony today, making it so special for both of us... This is 'Waterborne' Six and Seven signing on the net."
The 'Waterborne' battalion bid farewell to Lt. Col. Kenneth Williams and 1st Sgt. Compton Johnson, the 10th Trans. Bn. commander and command sergeant major, respectively. During the ceremony, Williams was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for his exemplary command of the battalion. Johnson, an ordnance Soldier by trade, was inducted into the Honorable Order of Saint Christopher, making him an honorary, transportation non-commissioned officer.
"This officer- and non-commissioned-officer team has done an outstanding job leading this battalion," said Kominiak. "I really cannot say enough about their accolades."
During their tenure with the battalion, the command team oversaw the deployment of numerous Army watercraft in support of Joint Logistics, Over-the-Shore exercises around the world, Operation Pacific Reach in Japan, U.S. Army South missions in Florida, and the use of watercraft in support of NASA shuttle missions. Additionally, the team traveled together to Georgia to assist the 3rd Infantry Division with their first waterborne deployment exercise.
Both Williams and Johnson spoke fondly of their time with the 'Waterborne' battalion.
"It seems like just yesterday I was at Third Port for my assumption-of-command ceremony, I guess time flies when you're having fun," said Williams.
"Fun does not even begin to describe what [I] and Command Sergeant Major Johnson have had during our time in command. We have been truly blessed with officers, non-commissioned officers and Soldiers who are second to none."