Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
-
The rain held off as Colonel Thomas Byrd assumed command of the Third Military Police Group, Criminal Investigation Command, from Colonel Jan Apo at a change of command ceremony, June 14, on the Hunter Army Airfield parade field.
When Maj. Gen. David Quantock, Provost Marshal General of the Army and the commanding general of CID, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, took the podium to make remarks, he first wished the U.S. Army a Happy 237th Birthday, expressing his feelings about being a part of a great organization with leaders such as Col. Apo and the steady hand of leadership she has shown since taking command of the group in June, 2010.
The mission of the 3rd Military Police Group (CID), headquartered at Hunter, is to support commanders by conducting criminal investigations of serious, sensitive or special interest matters; preventing crime; preserving the force and Army resources in peacetime, combat and contingency operations throughout the groups area of operations. The group is responsible for all felony criminal investigation matters with a U.S. Army interest throughout an area of operation encompassing the eastern half of the United States, the Caribbean, Central America (less Mexico) and South America. It is comprised of four battalions located at Fort Benning, Fort Campbell and Fort Myer, as well as the only airborne battalion in CID at Fort Bragg.
Major General Quantock credited Col. Apo with maintaining the continuity of operations at two headquarters Fort Gillem and Hunter Army Airfieldwhile keeping the construction of a multi-million dollar facility at Hunter on schedule and on budget.
She moved the operation from Fort Gillem to Hunter Army Airfield effortless, like a pro, Maj. Quantoc said, adding that during that time she continued to manage some of the most complex cases CID has ever undertaken. Her battalions also handled complex investigations, generating national and international attention, even with an average of 30 percent of assigned personnel deployed to an operational theater over the last two years.
During her tenure, Col. Apo successfully trained, deployed and redeployed six detachments, one battalion headquarters and a battalion task force in support of Operation New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.
Before turning the command over to her successor, Col. Apo thanked her staff for their loyalty and professionalism and told the new commander, Col. Byrd that he was getting the best job in the Army. She leaves the position for a deployment to Afghanistan.
Colonel Byrd said he is humbled for the opportunity to command such great warriors with a desire to serve. He plans to continue to improve procedures already in place and to provide support to his senior commanders and his local partners.
Prior to this command, Col Byrd, served as chief, Initiatives Group, Headquarters Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of staff, G-8. He moves to the Savannah area with his wife and two children.