REDSTONE ARSENAL — Redstone Arsenal Garrison is now under new leadership after a historic change of command ceremony Thursday morning.
“I’m humbled to be the first woman to serve in this role in the storied 83 years of the arsenal’s existence,” said Col. Erin Eike, Garrison’s first female commander. “To the garrison team, thank you for your service, your dedication, your continued commitment to the mission. At the heart of what you do is taking care of people, and there’s no more noble pursuit than that.”
As part of her duties, Eike will be tasked with managing support services for over 65 organizations inlcuding the four-star Army Materiel Command, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, the FBI, and other federal agencies.
“I’m proud to be part of this incredible team and I’m excited for the journey ahead,” she said. “Strengthening community partnerships are the core value of Redstone and I’m eager to work toward that mutual success by fostering, nurturing these relationships.
“No doubt challenges will arise and we’ll face them with innovation, creativity and a collaborative spirit because that Redstone achieving the impossible is just a matter of time.”
David Tindoll, director of Installation Management Command-Sustainment, spoke about the importance of the Garrison’s mission and of his role.
“Today’s ceremony gives me the opportunity to carry on a tradition upon the transferring responsibility and authority of command,” Tindoll said. “As our military protects our citizens and serves our nation around the world, we expect much from our service members, civilians, and their families.
“The Army’s installation manual command’s mission is to deliver base support from the strategic support area, which is continental United States. Enabling radius for a globally responsive army. The centerpiece of this command is the garrisons and individuals leading those organizations are integral in US achieving success.”
However, Tindol said the Army’s mission isn’t to “garrison” officers, but to develop leaders.
“… the Army does not train its officers to be garrisoned, but it does develop leaders,” he said. “Leaders who are capable, who are innovators, who are motivated to handle the complex challenges of this type of command.
Eike’s predecessor, Col. Brian Cozine, issued his heartfelt thanks to the Redstone community for its steadfast support and hard work during his time in charge.
“We had a really great time here. It’s been a blessing to be here and work with everybody,” he said. “But I will just say from us, Stacey and I talk very often. This is one, one of our best towns we’ve ever had. Yeah, we’ve been to Hawaii, lived on the beaches; been to Colorado, looked at the mountains.
“Then you come to Huntsville and you meet everybody here. The partnerships, the ingenuity, the innovation, the collective mindset, to be a great federal center of excellence.”
“That’s what we enjoy the most. And mostly adapting or adopting, as you say, the Redstone family is our extended family, because that’s really what it’s been about.”
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