Under a hot sun, blue skies, amid white tents with Arsenal, community, state and federal government leaders and guests looking on, Col. Bill M. Barnett IV, outgoing commander, relinquished command Thursday, July 2, of Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) to Col. Franz J. Amann in the courtyard of the Creasy Complex.
The ceremony began with a welcome to distinguished visitors and an invocation by Army Chaplain Ronald Belks, U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command (JMC).
Some of the distinguished visitors in attendance at the ceremony included Arkansas U.S. Senator Mark Pryor; Maj. Gen. Bill Wofford, Adjutant General of the Arkansas Army National Guard; Jim Bacon, retired PBA civilian executive assistant; White Hall Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan; Command Sgt. Maj. Ted Lopez, regimental sergeant major for the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear School; Command Sgt. Maj. Deborah Collins, command sergeant major of the Arkansas National Guard; Sgt. Maj. Lon Culbreath, JMC; and Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Jerry Curtiss, former sergeant major at PBA.
A bouquet of flowers was presented to Meaghan Barnett, Col. Barnett’s wife, by Elizabeth Thomas, command administrative assistant, for her support of her husband during his command. Maxine Miller, command administrative assistant, presented flowers to Mary Amann, Col. Amann’s wife and Beatrice Amann, his mother.
Following comments by Brig. Gen. Larry Wyche, JMC commander, Barnett expressed thanks to Wyche and acknowledged other guests.
“Friends and family of Pine Bluff Arsenal thank for you being at today’s ceremony,” he said, acknowledging Amann and his family. “Welcome aboard brother. You are the 34th and we are keeping that tradition alive. You are all VIPs and distinguished guests in my heart and mind.”
Barnett said that he made his last PBA run that morning.
“I had my last cup of coffee with the team over at the fire department. I had my last good morning with the folks in security. It was a great run, and the last two years have been a great run,” he said. “From my little foxhole, your smiles, your hugs, your friendship, gracious comments and handshakes over the past few weeks has been a reminder to me why I will miss you all.
“The privilege of command is one that is entrusted to only a few leaders, said the 33rd commander of the Arsenal.
“Regretfully that time is short lived. The change in command is such an important part of an organizations sustained success. Commanders bring in new ideas and a contemporary perspective of what is going on in the field,” he said. “They bring energy and excitement to the command.
“I never want you to lose sight of who you support in your mission. What we do here at the arsenal today is more relevant than ever before,” said Barnett.
“We have worked hard. The arsenal has never been about the number of soldiers who have served on the Arsenal but about the number of soldiers we serve. Some of the finest patriots I know do not wear a uniform like me. They wear white cotton, blue or green coveralls and they work just right over your shoulder, behind the fence making ammunition or down the road manufacturing NBC defense equipment.
“My passion has always been for the workforce, to ensure we made the very best for our war fighters,” said Barnett. “Every round we manufactured and every piece of equipment we refurbished it went down range with a ‘PB’ stenciled on it. That was our signature. That was a soldier’s guarantee that they were being supported by the very best.
“Pine Bluff, I want you to stay on point and continue to produce the very best products, and support those soldiers in the way that only you can.”
It is really a beautiful day to be out here,” said Amann as he began his speech during the ceremony. “It is truly a great honor and privilege to be here, Twenty-three years ago I would have never envisioned myself that I would be able to command this prestigious installation. Today is not about me. It is about Col. Barnett and the arsenal family that have accomplished so much over the past two years. Bill, I realize that I have some big shoes to fill.
“Everything that has been shown to me truly reflects the strategic vision for the future of the arsenal. I want to thank you and your team for laying out a plan that insures a seamless transition. I am excited about taking the helm and continuing to build upon your work.”
Under a hot sun, blue skies, amid white tents with Arsenal, community, state and federal government leaders and guests looking on, Col. Bill M. Barnett IV, outgoing commander, relinquished command Thursday, July 2, of Pine Bluff Arsenal (PBA) to Col. Franz J. Amann in the courtyard of the Creasy Complex.
The ceremony began with a welcome to distinguished visitors and an invocation by Army Chaplain Ronald Belks, U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command (JMC).
Some of the distinguished visitors in attendance at the ceremony included Arkansas U.S. Senator Mark Pryor; Maj. Gen. Bill Wofford, Adjutant General of the Arkansas Army National Guard; Jim Bacon, retired PBA civilian executive assistant; White Hall Mayor James “Jitters” Morgan; Command Sgt. Maj. Ted Lopez, regimental sergeant major for the Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear School; Command Sgt. Maj. Deborah Collins, command sergeant major of the Arkansas National Guard; Sgt. Maj. Lon Culbreath, JMC; and Sgt. Maj. (Ret.) Jerry Curtiss, former sergeant major at PBA.
A bouquet of flowers was presented to Meaghan Barnett, Col. Barnett’s wife, by Elizabeth Thomas, command administrative assistant, for her support of her husband during his command. Maxine Miller, command administrative assistant, presented flowers to Mary Amann, Col. Amann’s wife and Beatrice Amann, his mother.
Following comments by Brig. Gen. Larry Wyche, JMC commander, Barnett expressed thanks to Wyche and acknowledged other guests.
“Friends and family of Pine Bluff Arsenal thank for you being at today’s ceremony,” he said, acknowledging Amann and his family. “Welcome aboard brother. You are the 34th and we are keeping that tradition alive. You are all VIPs and distinguished guests in my heart and mind.”
Barnett said that he made his last PBA run that morning.
“I had my last cup of coffee with the team over at the fire department. I had my last good morning with the folks in security. It was a great run, and the last two years have been a great run,” he said. “From my little foxhole, your smiles, your hugs, your friendship, gracious comments and handshakes over the past few weeks has been a reminder to me why I will miss you all.
“The privilege of command is one that is entrusted to only a few leaders, said the 33rd commander of the Arsenal.
“Regretfully that time is short lived. The change in command is such an important part of an organizations sustained success. Commanders bring in new ideas and a contemporary perspective of what is going on in the field,” he said. “They bring energy and excitement to the command.
“I never want you to lose sight of who you support in your mission. What we do here at the arsenal today is more relevant than ever before,” said Barnett.
“We have worked hard. The arsenal has never been about the number of soldiers who have served on the Arsenal but about the number of soldiers we serve. Some of the finest patriots I know do not wear a uniform like me. They wear white cotton, blue or green coveralls and they work just right over your shoulder, behind the fence making ammunition or down the road manufacturing NBC defense equipment.
“My passion has always been for the workforce, to ensure we made the very best for our war fighters,” said Barnett. “Every round we manufactured and every piece of equipment we refurbished it went down range with a ‘PB’ stenciled on it. That was our signature. That was a soldier’s guarantee that they were being supported by the very best.
“Pine Bluff, I want you to stay on point and continue to produce the very best products, and support those soldiers in the way that only you can.”
It is really a beautiful day to be out here,” said Amann as he began his speech during the ceremony. “It is truly a great honor and privilege to be here, Twenty-three years ago I would have never envisioned myself that I would be able to command this prestigious installation. Today is not about me. It is about Col. Barnett and the arsenal family that have accomplished so much over the past two years. Bill, I realize that I have some big shoes to fill.
“Everything that has been shown to me truly reflects the strategic vision for the future of the arsenal. I want to thank you and your team for laying out a plan that insures a seamless transition. I am excited about taking the helm and continuing to build upon your work.”
