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"On Time, On Target" brigade welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nicole Dykstra
  • 72nd Operations Brigade Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J --  The 72nd Operations Brigade recently held a change of responsibility ceremony July 24, 2013, at Sharp Field on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., under bright, cloudless skies.

As Soldiers of the brigade stood at attention in formation, Col. Michael S. Shrout relinquished command of the 72nd to Col. John K. Lange.

"Today we recognize two years of hard work, exceptional service and teamwork demonstrated by Col. Shrout, transforming this critical mobilization mission into the best across First Army," said Maj. Gen. Kevin R. Wendel, First Army Division East commander.
 
"His focus on special skills units, Army and joint, and regardless of whether they had two Soldiers or several hundred, resulted in successful operations around the world."

During his two years as commander, the 72nd mobilized nearly 8,000 personnel, and demobilized nearly 5,000. Shrout departs the 72nd for an assignment at First Army Division East, at Fort Meade, Md.

"I am thrilled and honored to turn the brigade over to an old friend and comrade," said Shrout. "Col. Lange is an outstanding combat infantry leader, and he will step in with fresh legs and achieve superior results."

Lange was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1989 following graduation from the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. He previously served as the director of the Combined Joint Operations Center for the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The 72nd Operations Brigade plans, coordinates and enables post-mobilization, pre-deployment training in support of specified U.S. Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard units. On order, the brigade provides pre-mobilization training assistance within its capabilities for Army Reserve and Army National Guard units.