Command Sgt. Maj. Barry Wheeler — now command sergeant major for U.S. Forces Korea, 8th U.S. Army, Combined Forces Command and the United Nations Command — served at Fort Lewis, Wash. (T.D. Flack / S&S)
Command Sgt. Maj. Barry Wheeler — now command sergeant major for U.S. Forces Korea, 8th U.S. Army, Combined Forces Command and the United Nations Command — served at Fort Lewis, Wash. (T.D. Flack / S&S)
Wheeler, left, Honor Guard Company Executive Officer Capt. Derrick Goodwin, center, and Command Sgt. Maj. Troy Welch review the troops during a change-of-responsibility ceremony Friday at Yongsan Garrison, South Korea. (T.D. Flack / S&S)
Welch, back to camera, prepares to pass the U.N. Command colors to Wheeler. At left is Gen. Leon LaPorte, U.S. Forces Korea commander; at right is Troop Command Sgt. Maj. James R. Boling. (T.D. Flack / S&S)
YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — The U.S. military community bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Troy Welch and welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Barry Wheeler during a rainy ceremony Friday morning at Yongsan’s Knight Field.
Wheeler, inbound from 1st Corps, Fort Lewis, Wash., replaces Welch as command sergeant major for the U.S. Forces Korea, 8th U.S. Army, Combined Forces Command and United Nations Command.
Amid drizzle, U.S. Forces Korea commander Army Gen. Leon LaPorte opened the ceremony by thanking everyone for attending the ceremony on a sunny, springtime day in South Korea — drawing laughs from the troops and guests.
LaPorte said they were gathered to bid farewell to an outstanding soldier.
“NCOs (noncommissioned officers) are the backbone of our armed forces,” LaPorte said, calling Welch a “model of professionalism and decorum.”
He thanked Welch for his work during his five years of service in South Korea, including helping deploy the 3,500 2nd Infantry Division’s Brigade Combat Team (Strike Force) soldiers to Iraq in August.
“You’ll be missed,” LaPorte said.
Welch thanked the ceremony participants and said, “You honor Debby and I with your presence.”
He said his tour as command sergeant major was “the honor of my life.”
He also thanked his staff for “making me look damn good.”
Welch teared up and paused when thanking his wife.
“Honey, I love you more than my golf clubs,” he said to a big laugh from the crowd.
LaPorte also welcomed Wheeler to “the combined team.” LaPorte said it was Wheeler’s third tour to South Korea in his 32 years of service.
Wheeler apologized to the crowd, stating he brought the weather with him from Fort Lewis.
Wheeler said his family thinks of South Korea as a second home and that his goal is ensuring the welfare of every soldier, airman, sailor and Marine.
“Quality of life and mission readiness” are top priorities, he said.
He also thanked his wife, Patricia, for being such “a great Army wife.”
I’m sure the “Korean economy will be happy to see you back,” he joked.
