Veteran transporter takes command of the 598th Transportation Group

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, Summer, 2004 by Martin Weteling

A veteran battalion commander is back with the 598th Transportation Group this time as the commander. Col. Gary Stanley took command of the Rotterdam, the Netherlands, based-unit on July 8.

"I am truly blessed to have been given this opportunity to work with all of the great men and woman who make this command what it is," said Stanley, in a change-of-command ceremony presided over by Maj. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, commander, Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command.

Stanley is no stranger to the group. He was in command of the group's 839th Transportation Battalion from July 1999-July 2001, and conducted numerous SDDC peacekeeping movements in Bosnia, Albania and Kosovo.

"Though it has only been three years since I left command of the 839th Transportation Battalion in Italy, a lot has changed in that short time," said Stanley.

The new commander praised his predecessor--Col. Victoria Leignadier--for her command of the group for the past two years.

"The group has been at the forefront of the War on Terror with Colonel Leignadier and the 598th team leading the way both here in Europe, and in Southwest Asia for the Strategic Deployment and Distribution Command."

Dunwoody praised Stanley's abilities.

"I couldn't be more pleased to be welcoming our newest member on the command's team," said Dunwoody. "I can't think of anyone more qualified to take command of this group than Colonel Gary Stanley.

"He comes to us with the tight mix of leadership skills and a tremendous reputation that I know will add value to this already top-notch organization."

Dunwoody praised Leignadier's work, which involved long tours of duty in Kuwait directing the command's deployment and distribution missions in Operation Iraqi Freedom. During her command time, the 598th loaded or discharged a record 562 ships in Kuwait.

"One recent challenge that really put her leadership skills to the test required her to oversee the largest rotation of forces since World War II, moving 340 ships and more than 100,000 pieces of cargo in support or Operation Iraqi Freedom II movements," said Dunwoody.

"This involved moving cargoes for such warfighting units as the 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), 3rd Infantry Division and 1st Infantry Division.

"In the process of all this," said Dunwoody, "she in fact broke every record for the speed and volume of material loaded or discharged through a single seaport."

Leignadier praised the work of unit members and expressed thanks for host nation support provided during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operations Iraqi Freedom I & II in Belgium, Germany, Kuwait and the Netherlands.

In her next assignment, Leignadier will be the U.S. Army Chair and faculty member at the National War College, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

Martin Weteling, Public Affairs Specialist 598th Transportation Group