SOTO CANO AIR BASE, Honduras –
The Army Support Activity, under U.S. Army Installation Management Command, hosted a change of responsibility ceremony for ASA senior noncommissioned officer, U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Jametta Bland, at Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, on April 30, 2024.
U.S. Army Col. Paul Witkowski, ASA commander, commended Bland’s yearlong leadership qualities.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Bland kept one eye on the mission, people and the base, while the other eye was firmly fixed on her most important unit — her family,” Witkowski said.
Bland thanked all those she worked with and said her bittersweet goodbyes.
“It has been an honor to serve here at Soto Cano Air Base with you,” Bland said. “It was an experience I’d never forget.”
Bland’s next assignment is at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston at the IMCOM headquarters.
During the ceremony, the outgoing ASA senior noncommissioned officer, Bland, relinquished responsibility to U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory Harmon.
This event is an enactment of an U.S. Army tradition that is 248 years old, where the passing of the garrison colors signifies the relinquishment of responsibility and authority.
After the passing of the colors, Harmon expressed his excitement on starting his tenure as the garrison senior noncommissioned officer at Soto Cano Air Base.
“I look forward to this journey,” Harmon said. “The dedication you have shown to your work is inspiring, and I ask that you continue to show up, be great teammates and be the best version of yourself daily.”
Harmon is coming from the 1st Battalion, 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Harmon has attended every level of training within the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development System and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and First Sergeant Course.
Additionally, he graduated from the Basic Airborne Course, Pathfinder Course, Modern Army Combative Course (Level I & II) and Air Assault Course.
His multiple awards and decorations include a Bronze Star Medal, a Defense Meritorious Service Medal, an Iraqi Campaign Medal, an Afghanistan Campaign Medal and a NATO Medal. He is also a proud recipient of the prestigious Order of Saint Maurice.
The ASA command sergeant major plays a critical role as the senior noncommissioned officer in a unit, who advises the commander on all issues. They extend the command influence, assess morale and assist in critical events.
The ASA commander is the U.S. Southern Command Senior Responsible Officer that enables readiness and mission execution, while providing quality services and facilities, optimizing resources, sustaining the environment and enhancing the wellbeing of the community.
Both ensure ASA’s mission to simultaneously integrate installation operations and deliver base operations support in order to enable tenant organizations to conduct operations, activities and investments within the USSOUTHCOM area of responsibility is achieved.