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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
McAAP gets a new commander
McAlester Army Ammunition Plant has a new commander. Col. Gabriel W. Pryor relinquished command to Col. Curtis S. Perkins in the change of command ceremony at the McAlester base Wednesday. 'This change in command marks more than a transition of leadership,' Pryor said. 'It's a moment to reflect on our journey here, to honor the team and to recognize the strength that lives in this installation and its people.' McAlester Army Ammunition Plant is the Department of Defense premier bomb and warhead-loading facility. It supplies about one-third of munitions across the Department of Defense. The plant delivers thousands of Mark 84 2,000-pound bombs, M11 artillery rounds, 105 artillery rounds and more. McAAP is one of 14 Joint Munitions Command installations and one of 23 organic industrial bases under U.S. Army Materiel Command. It is the site of production, storage, distribution and demilitarization. Officials said armies historically use a flag or other symbol to serve as a rallying point under which their soldiers would gather before combat and reorganize during battle. The passing of the colors during the change of command ceremony symbolizes the original purpose and represents the official transfer of command. Brig. Gen. Daniel J. Duncan opened the Change of Command ceremony. He thanked McAAP's community partners and elected leaders, thanked Pryor's family for their support and thanked Pryor for his service. 'It just shows how much he takes care of people and not just the mission,' Duncan said about Pryor's leadership and his priority of McAAP employees' safety. Pryor was commissioned in May 1999 as a Second Lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps from the Army ROTC program at Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. He earned a Master of Policy Management from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington. He held several positions in his military career, including Distribution Branch Chief, Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commander and Joint Planner, USTRANSCOM, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, 2015-2017; Battalion Commander, 47th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, Division G4, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas, 2018-2021; and McAlester Army Ammunition Plant Commander, McAlester, Oklahoma, 2023-2025. Pryor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Gonzaga University, Spokane, Washington, and a Master of Policy Management from Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Pryor's military education includes the Ordnance Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Captains Career Course, and more. His awards and achievements include the Bronze Star Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4 Oak Leaf Clusters), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (bronze campaign star), Iraq Campaign Medal (4 campaign stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3 numerals), Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation (3 Oak Leaf Clusters) and Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge. Over the last two years, McAAP has met 100% of their delivery days. The depo operation has experienced the least amount of accidents and injuries than it has in the last 10 years, according to the McAAP 'These accomplishments that I'm telling you about, these are not a commander's success. This is a team's success,' Pryor said. He thanked the men and women of McAAP for teaching him about leadership, grit and excellence. 'This was not just a duty. It was a blessing,' he said. Perkins was commissioned in December 1999 as a Second Lieutenant in the Quartermaster branch from the Army ROTC program at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, South Carolina. He has earned a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science from the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Master of Arts in procurement and acquisition management from Webster University, and a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering technology from South Carolina State University. Perkins has served in many positions during his lengthy military career, including Assistant Brigade Logistics Officer and Forward Support Company Commander, 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Fort Hood, Texas; Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, and Deputy Support Operations officer, 404th Division Aviation Support Battalion, Fort Carson, Colorado; S3 Operations Officer, and Brigade Resource Manager, 27th Brigade Support Battalion, Fort Hood, Texas; Brigade Support Operations Officer and Executive Officer, 603rd Aviation Support Battalion, Fort Stewart, Georgia; and Plans Chief, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and more. His military education includes Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Combined Logistics Captain's Career Course, Army School of Advanced Military Studies, Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College. His awards and achievements include the Legion of Merit (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (3 Oak Leaf Clusters) and Joint Service Commendation Medal. Perkins thanked the McAlester community for coming together to make this possible. He said he appreciates the community he has been brought to serve and said he will be the best commander he can to support the community and McAAP. 'Our mission remains instrumental to national defense, and I'm proud to serve with this dedicated team,' Perkins said.
CTV News
05-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
New commander takes the helm at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base in North Bay
Col. Richard Jolette passed the reigns of wing commander of 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base to Col. Joe Oldford in a ceremony Thursday. There were a lot of emotions at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base in North Bay on Thursday morning. Col. Richard Jolette passed the reigns of wing commander to Col. Joe Oldford in a change-of-command ceremony. There was a final parade and salute for Jolette, who spent two years in charge and had five postings in North Bay. 'It's crazy to think that my time as 22 Wing commander has come to an end,' he said in a speech to the crowd of dignitaries, military members and guests. Jolette assumed command in 2022. The North Bay native reflected on his rare opportunity to lead a base in his hometown. 'This will likely be the end of my time here,' he said. Jolette recalled welcoming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Defence Minister Bill Blair to the base, attending countless Armed Forces Day celebrations and overseeing the NORAD modernization project. He credited the support of the crew for supporting him every step of the way. 'You have performed admirably,' he said. 'Keep up the great work.' 22 Wing handover3 Col. Richard Jolette passed the reigns of wing commander to Col, Joe Oldford in a change-of-command ceremony at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base in North Bay on Thursday morning. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) 22 Wing handover2 Col. Richard Jolette passed the reigns of wing commander to Col, Joe Oldford in a change-of-command ceremony at 22 Wing/Canadian Forces Base in North Bay on Thursday morning. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) Instead of getting into a vehicle and speeding off, he strapped a helmet on and scootered his way into the horizon with the crowd laughing, cheering and waving. The ceremony was presided over by Maj. Gen. Chris McKenna, Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division, Canadian NORAD Region. 'Today's ceremony marks a significant milestone for 22 Wing and Canadian Forces Base North Bay,' McKenna said. 'Col. Jolette's leadership has been instrumental in upholding our mission to safeguard Canada and North America ... His dedication and service have set a high standard for all. I warmly welcome Col. Oldford, whose extensive expertise and leadership will undoubtedly enhance and elevate this tradition of excellence. I firmly believe that 22 Wing remains in capable hands.' For Oldford, the new commander, it's his third time posted in North Bay. He joined the Armed Forces in 1994 and assumed command of 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron at 22 Wing in June 2020. Oldford also held the position of director of operations of the Canadian Air Defence Sector. He was made a colonel in September 2022 and moved to the Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City Beach, Fla. He was posted to the Continental United States NORAD Region as the 1st Air Force A9 Director. Following six months in position, he was cross-posted to the CONR 601st CAOC as the Deputy Commander. Being a wing commander has been his dream. Col. Joe Oldford Col. Joe Oldford joined the Armed Forces in 1994 and assumed command of 21 Aerospace Control and Warning Squadron at 22 Wing in June 2020. Oldford also held the position of director of operations of the Canadian Air Defence Sector. (Eric Taschner/CTV News) 'I remember being here as 2nd Lt, the very first officer rank,' Oldford said. 'Having met the wing commander, I was thinking that would be a place to get to. I was really hoping to and not thinking I could actually get there. There's no (more) motivated, talented or committed team than the team here at 22 Wing.' Despite the change of personnel, 22 Wing's mission of airspace warning, control and defence will not change, but the mechanisms and tools at the military's disposal continue to advance and modernize when it comes to aircraft surveillance. 'We're really looking forward to that, particularly the new command and control system. We're currently in the in initial operation capability and it's a real game changer,' Oldford told reporters. North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico had a moment to welcome Oldford back to the city and told reporters the citizens have a unique relationship with 22 Wing. It's a relationship, he said, that not many cities have. 'The community of 22 Wing, they've always been part of our North Bay community. They coach hockey, soccer and volunteer in so many ways,' Chirico said. As Oldford looks to lead 22 Wing into the future, he knows a daunting job lies ahead. But it's one he's prepared his whole life for.
