U.S. SOUTHERN COMMAND HEADQUARTERS, Miami –
Army Col. Christopher Gehler assumed command of Joint Task Force-Bravo from Army Col. Richard Juergens during a ceremony at the U.S. Southern Command Headquarters in Miami September 3.
"This is truly a unique organization with a storied history," Colonel Gehler said during the ceremony. And he is ready to join the JTF-Bravo team in completing its mission.
Colonel Gehler is an Army aviator who has served in Operation Desert Storm, Operation Desert Shield and he has served one tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The outgoing commander, Colonel Juergens, leaves for his new assignment in Fort Bliss, Texas, after 15 months commanding JTF-Bravo.
During the change of command ceremony Marine Corps Brig. Gen David Garza, chief of staff, U.S. Southern Command, said "[Colonel] Juergens has been a role model leader for JTF-Bravo for the last 15 months."
General Garza went on to talk about some of Colonel Juergens accomplishments during his tour at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras and said that he has the same confidence in Colonel Gehler to do great things for Joint Task Force-Bravo.
Joint Task Force-Bravo is one of three task forces under U.S. Southern Command. JTF-Bravo's primary mission is to provide command and control, administrative and logistical support for exercises, deployments and humanitarian and civic assistance projects conducted throughout Central America.