Change of command brings in new USAG commander

From left, incoming Commander U.S. Army Garrison, Col. Dan McFarland; Maj. Gen. Reuben Jones, deputy commanding general, Operations, Installation Management Command; and outgoing USAG Commander Col. Timothy Faulkner sing along to the “Army Song” during the change of command ceremony Tuesday morning.

It was a bittersweet moment as one commander said his goodbyes and another was welcomed by the crowd that gathered on historic Brown Parade Field early Tuesday morning.

Col. Timothy Faulkner outgoing U.S. Army Garrison commander passed the guidon to Maj. Gen. Reuben Jones, deputy commanding general, operations, Installation Management Command, who passed it to Col. Dan McFarland incoming USAG commander during the ceremony, which represents a symbolic transfer of leadership.

Faulkner was praised by Jones while reflecting on the work Faulkner has accomplished over the past three years.

U.S. Army Garrison Outgoing Commander Col. Timothy Faulkner passes the guidon to Maj. Gen. Reuben Jones, deputy commanding general, operations, Installation Management Command, during the change of command ceremony Tuesday. Jones then passed the guidon to incoming USAG Commander Col. Dan McFarland.

“Like all great commanders he articulated his vision for the future. That focused relentlessly on providing Soldiers the resources, the resources needed to succeed in getting our Army ready for victory on any battlefield. As garrison commander, Tim spearheaded the garrison’s critical mission of supporting Soldiers and their training,” Jones said.

“Tim led Fort Huachuca through a phenomenal transformation,” Jones added. Faulkner discussed some of the transformations that took place during his time as commander. “These were fairly easy tasks; support all units, expand the airfield, build 100 million dollars in new facilities for unmanned aerial programs, plan for new Air Force unmanned squadrons and military intelligence units, facilitate the expansion of our electronic test range and build new Family and recreation programs, just to name a few.”

“This is only a start. Fort Huachuca’s future is even brighter. We will finish the last of our new housing projects, leaving 95 percent of the Fort’s housing no older than 15 years old. We have just completed an energy contract that will have the potential to install 100 million dollars in energy saving projects for the next three to five years. This will completely change the face of Fort Huachuca and have this post headed to become the first Army Installation at net zero,” Faulkner added.

Net zero means the installation will produce all energy it uses and not require supplemental energy production.

While turning the attention to the new commander, Faulkner shared this. “I know you are the right leader to take on this task, I wish you and your family the best in command. You will do a great job, and I appreciate our friendship.”

Jones also welcomed McFarland and told him, “once again our Army calls on you to lead this great community to excellence. We eagerly await you with your great skills, your great leadership and your great family.”

McFarland thanked the crowd and told them, “Kim and I look forward to serving this great community and building on the tremendous achievements of Tim and Lynne.”

“Leaving any installation is always bittersweet — we have great memories here, great friendships. We love the town of Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca. This is where I met my husband 17 years ago, so this post holds a special place in our hearts. We are always looking forward to new challenges and opportunities as a family but we will miss Fort Huachuca dearly,” Lynne Faulkner said of the change of command.

From left, sons Nick, Austin, Jack, wife Lynne, outgoing Commander U.S. Army Garrison Col. Timothy Faulkner and member of B Troop, 4th Regiment, U.S. Cavalry (memorial) Anastasia Virden watch as B Troop prepares to present Faulkner with a saber and certificate of authenticity after the change of command ceremony Tuesday on Brown Parade Field.

“It has been a great ride these last three years; it has been a challenge. We have gone through a lot of hard times and a lot of great times, and I wish him nothing but the best and God speed on his future endeavors,” said colleague Tom Borer, deputy garrison commander.

Before the change of command ceremony, Faulkner received the Legion of Merit Award and an additional award for improving the quality of life for teens in the Fort Huachuca, Sonoita, Huachuca City and Sierra Vista communities. Lynne received a Commander’s Award for Public Service and a certificate of appreciation from Garrison.

Faulkner and his wife and three sons will be moving to Fort Shafter, Hawaii. He will assume the position of deputy regional commander, IMCOM-Pacific.