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72nd Field Artillery Brigade welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Sgt. Nicole Dykstra
  • 72nd Public Affairs Office
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  There is much to be said for the adage: "the only thing constant in the Army is change." No change is perhaps more routine than the passing of command from one unit commander to another. However, this day July 16 marks the homecoming of a local man.

In a formal ceremony at Sharpe Field at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst July 16, the battalions of the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade stood proudly in formation in the hot summer sun. Col. Timothy R. Williams relinquished command to Col. Bertrand A. Ges, a native of Jackson, N.J., Maj. Gen. J. Michael Bednarek, First Army Division East commander, officiated the ceremony.

"Those who know Col. Tim Williams, know he is a combat-proven special operations professional and a warrior leader with an intense passion for anything and everything that involves Soldiers and units deploying to combat," said Bednarek. "His devotion to this brigade has been tremendous. He has successfully led these incredible trainer mentors in our mission of preparing Soldiers, leaders and units heading into harm's way."

Since Williams took command in the summer of 2007, the brigade trained, mentored and deployed more than 24,000 Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen in support of ongoing contingency operations around globe. This includes more than 310 Army units and double that amount of joint service entities. These servicemembers have been trained for missions in Afghanistan, Iraq and the Horn of Africa. The 72nd Brigade is responsible for a unit's civil affairs, military police, public affairs and psychological operations unit preparedness.

"I want to say thank you to the officers, noncommissioned officers and Soldiers of the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, a very diverse and complex organization which has an extremely important mission - preparing our nation's sons and daughters to go into harm's way and win our wars," said Williams. "It was a singular and distinct honor and privilege to have been a part of the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade and I am proud to have served with each and every one of you."
Williams is scheduled to deploy to Iraq early next month.

"As we farewell one leader, we welcome another who will maintain the core competencies of this tremendous brigade," said Bednarek. "In this formal transfer of command, there will be no change in the quality or professional execution of the mission our nation has given to these warrior trainers."

Ges received his ROTC commission from the Valley Forge Military Junior College in 1985. Prior to entering active duty in 1987, Ges received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers College and served in the New Jersey National Guard from 1984 until 1987 with 1st and 3rd battalions, 112th Field Artillery, 50th Armored Division.
Prior to joining the brigade as its new commander, Ges commanded Combined Joint Task Force Paladin, Afghanistan's Counter-improvised explosive device task force. His other assignments include Plans Chief and the Chief of the Director's Staff Group, and commander, 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment/82nd Airborne Division, when he deployed the battalion to Kandahar, Afghanistan, as part of Task Force Gun Devils during Operation Enduring Freedom from 2005 to 2006.

Ges' awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Defense & Army Meritorious Service medals, Joint Service and Army Commendation medals, Army Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal; and Ranger, Master Parachutist, Airborne, Air Assault and Combat Action badges.

Ges kept his remarks brief, but expressed his appreciation for the hard work and dedication Williams and his wife Lisa contributed to the morale and welfare of the unit.

"My wife and I are simply in awe of whatWilliams and Lisa have done for the families of this brigade. We have big shoes to fill but we are up for the challenge," he said.
Surrounded by his guests, Ges seemed right at home. Many family members and friends joined Ges, his wife Jay Ann and their three boys for the change of command ceremony followed by a commander's reception at the community center. He expressed his excitement at being back in New Jersey and is looking forward to watching his hometown teams again.
Ges is scheduled to serve as the 72nd Brigade commander for approximately two years and will initiate the transformation of the unit from a training support brigade to an operations brigade.