United Nations Command Honor Guard Company Commander Capt. Brett Wiersma, center, escorts incoming U.S. Forces Korea Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Johnny Weida, left, and outgoing Maj. Gen. Stephen Sargeant as they inspect the UNC Honor Guard formation during a ceremony Thursday on Yongsan Garrison, South Korea. (Jimmy Norris / S&S)
YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — Personnel from U.S. Forces Korea and the United Nations Command bade farewell to one deputy chief of staff and welcomed another during a brief change-of-responsibility ceremony Thursday at Yongsan Garrison’s Collier Field House.
Air Force Maj. Gen. Stephen Sargeant said goodbye to South Korea for the third time in his career as he relinquished responsibilities to Maj. Gen. Johnny Weida.
According to the USFK Web site, Sargeant served as the senior U.S. member of the UNC Military Armistice Commission, led general officer talks between the UNC and North Korean army, interacted with UNC liaison groups and supervised UNC (Rear) Headquarters at Camp Zama, Japan.
Sargeant will move on to Kirkland Air Force Base, N.M., where he will take command of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center.
“Welcome back to Korea,” Sargeant said to Weida, who has served in South Korea before, during his remarks.
“And congratulations on the finest assignment you will ever have.”
Weida comes to South Korea from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where he served as the commander for the Air Force Security Assistance Center.
“I look forward to our journey ahead,” Weida said. “May God guide our journey together.”
