FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The Fort Eustis Garrison Command deactivated and activated the 733d Mission Support Group during an activation and assumption of command ceremony at the Fort Eustis Club Friday in the first step toward the creation of Joint Base Langley-Eustis Jan. 29.
As distinguished guests, unit commanders and leadership from Eustis and Langley Air Force base looked on Col. Glenn K. Grothe, outgoing garrison commander, assumed command of the 733 MSG from Col. Donald E. Kirkland, 633d Air Base Wing commander.
Before activation of the 733 MSG, Colonel Kirkland spoke of his hopes for the future of the joint base.
"I commend the hard work of Langley, Eustis and our respective headquarters over the past two years to define the joint base organization and make possible our path toward full operational capabilities in October," he said. "I am proud to welcome the men and women of the 7-3-3 to the 633d Air Base Wing. Partnered with the mission support group and medical group at Langley, the strength of this combined team makes manifest our wing's motto 'Bonno Bono Accumulati,' or 'accumate good upon good.'"
After unfurling the 733 MSG guidon and accepting command of the unit, newly appointed group commander Colonel Grothe expressed his own expectations for the success of the future joint base.
"The Army is in the process of transformation and as the Chief of Staff of the Army General George Casey says 'Transformation is a journey, not a destination.' What we are doing here at Joint Base Langley-Eustis is taking part in this process of change and we will succeed because of the strength of character of our workforce and the commitment, professionalism and leadership that supports us," Colonel Grothe said. "We will work to ensure continuity of services, accumulating good upon good as we move forward."
The ceremony marked the first step toward creation of JBLE, mandated under the Base Realignment and Closure report of 2005, which mandated the creation of 12 joint bases from 24 military installations.
JBLE is comprised of the 633 ABW, which includes the 733 MSG at Eustis and the 633 MSG at Langley, which are responsible for support functions at their respective installations, and the 633d Medical Support Group at Langley.
The consolidation of bases is expected to decrease the cost of installation operations, streamline installation support, and increase mission support to Soldiers and Airmen. Although the installation commands functions are consolidated each service will continue its individual mission.