ASSUMPTION OF LANDCOM COMMAND
By LTC David OLSON ( USA ), LANDCOM Public Affairs Officer
U . S . Army Lieutenant General John C . Thomson III assumed command of NATO ’ s Allied Land Command ( LANDCOM ) from Italian Army Lieutenant General Paolo Ruggiero during a ceremony on Friday , August 3 at the Izmir Headquarters . " I am humbled and excited to join this
" I am humbled and excited to join this outstanding command and be a part of the strongest Alliance in the world .” outstanding command and be a part of the strongest Alliance in the world ,” said Thomson . " It is an honor to serve with you and I could not be prouder to join the team .”
During his speech , Thomson thanked Lieutenant General Ruggiero and his wife Holly for their leadership at LANDCOM and our Turkish hosts . He also praised the LANDCOM soldiers and civilians for their excellent work , and he shared his vision of adding value to the NATO Force Structure , Joint Force Commands and the Armies of Allied Nations and Partners .
Supreme Allied Commander Europe ( SACEUR ), General Curtis M . Scaparrotti , presided over the ceremony before family ,
friends , soldiers and distinguished members of the local community .
Lieutenant General Thomson arrived from III Armored Corps at Fort Hood , Texas , where he served as the Deputy Commander . Meantime , Lieutenant General Ruggiero returns to his duties as the Deputy Commander of LANDCOM .
LTG John THOMSON saluting during his LANDCOM Assumption of Command ceremony .
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