SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras –
Joint Task Force-Bravo welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony June 23, 2014 on the base's parade ground. U. S. Army Col. Kirk C. Dorr assumed command from Army Col. Thomas D. Boccardi with U. S. Marine Gen. John F. Kelly, U.S. Southern Command commander, officiating.
"I am truly thrilled to be here in Soto Cano and look forward to serving you and contributing to the rich history of this distinguished unit," said Dorr.
Dorr gave his speech in front of more than 200 JTF-Bravo Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines, which included special guests such as The Honorable Lisa Kubiske, the American ambassador to Honduras, Vice Adm. Rigoberto Espinoza, Honduras Armed Forces Joint Staff deputy chief, and Brig. Gen. Carlos Roberto, Honduras Armed Forces director of operations.
"Looking forward, I remain totally committed to enabling all efforts to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the United States and the region," Dorr added. "We will display the discipline, agility, and responsiveness that make this joint task force so valuable and so effective all the while taking care of our service members and their families."
Dorr is a graduate of Old Dominion University, where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and earned his commission through the reserve officer training corps, a Master's Degree in Education from Kansas State University and a Master's Degree in Military Science from the School of Advanced Military Studies. He's also a graduate of the Joint & Combined War Fighting School and was a Senior Service College Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Boccardi's next assignment will be at U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) as the Director of NORAD/NORTHCOM Command Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Joint Task Force-Bravo operates on the Honduran military installation, Soto Cano Air Base, in central Honduras and is comprised of more than 600 U.S. military personnel and more than 650 U.S and Honduran civilians. JTF-Bravo works to build partnerships with Honduras and other Central American countries to foster security, stability and prosperity for the Americas.
JTF-Bravo conducts a variety of missions in Central America from supporting U.S. Government operations to counter transnational crime to humanitarian assistance/disaster relief and building partner capacities. The successful completion of these missions allows JTF-Bravo to promote security throughout the region, which is the foundation for stable and productive societies.