Stars and stripes, the German flag, the flags of the US states and the pulled-up vehicles of the military police, Bavarian police, camp fire brigade and volunteers formed the backdrop for the military ceremony on the parade field under the white-blue sky. High up, the outgoing commander, Colonel Christopher R. Danbeck, kidnapped his successor in the basket of the turntable ladder (the “Cherrypicker”) and gave the newcomer an initial overview of his future sphere of activity.
Traditionally, the troop flag and thus the authority to command were handed over to the new commander in front of the numerous guests from politics, the US military, the Bundeswehr, authorities and public life. Tommy R. Mize, Director of US Site Administration for Europe, thanked the outgoing commander for his tireless service to the US garrison.
Special challenges
In addition to many other tasks, particular challenges in the time as commander were to manage the effects of the corona pandemic and the support of additional US troops to strengthen the US troop presence in Europe. Danbeck also knew how to maintain connections with the German partners and coined the garrison motto “It’s better in Bavaria”, says Tommy Mize.
Danbeck further in Germany
Colonel Danbeck remains in Germany and becomes Mize’s right-hand man as deputy director to the Installation Management Command Directorate – Europe in Wiesbaden. With “Thank you, Hello, Goodbye and Goodbye” Danbeck said goodbye to the guests and the “best garrison in the US Army”.
“Colonel Poole is the right commander at the right time, under his leadership the Bavarian locations Grafenwöhr, Vilseck, Hohenfels and Garmisch will be further expanded in the future,” Mize gave the future commander the first advance praise in his speech. “I’m looking forward to our future friendship and partnership, we’re happy to be in Bavaria and back in the Upper Palatinate,” said Colonel Kevin Poole, who speaks excellent German. Poole is coming to Grafenwoehr from the United States European Command in Stuttgart. In addition to several assignments in the USA, Italy and Afghanistan, Poole was also stationed at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center at the Hohenfels military training area for a long time. Poole is married to Patricia von Rekowski. He was pleased that his wife’s family from Berlin could also be present at the change of command. After the salute of the Volsbacher Böllerschützen there was a reception with first getting to know each other at the water tower.
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