WEBVTT

00:12.830 --> 00:14.270
- Ladies and gentlemen,

00:14.270 --> 00:17.143
please stand for the arrival
of the official party.

00:40.620 --> 00:41.733
Please be seated.

00:46.390 --> 00:49.070
Distinguished guests,
ladies and gentlemen,

00:49.070 --> 00:50.800
good morning and welcome to

00:50.800 --> 00:54.320
the NATO Allied Land Command
Change of Command ceremony

00:55.360 --> 00:57.860
In today's ceremony, General Todd Walters,

00:57.860 --> 01:00.760
Supreme Allied Commander
Europe, we'll transfer

01:00.760 --> 01:04.390
the colors of Headquarters
Allied Land Command

01:04.390 --> 01:06.910
from Lieutenant General J.T. Thompson

01:06.910 --> 01:09.600
to Lieutenant General. Roger Cloutier Jr.

01:09.600 --> 01:11.663
signifying the Change of Command.

01:13.330 --> 01:16.890
The colors were entrusted to
Lieutenant General Thompson

01:16.890 --> 01:21.523
on his assumption of command
on the 3rd of August, 2018.

01:23.520 --> 01:26.360
At this time, we would like
to acknowledge the presence

01:26.360 --> 01:28.453
of the following distinguished guests,

01:29.300 --> 01:32.093
His Excellency Ambassador Satterfield,

01:32.950 --> 01:35.313
Her Excellency Ambassador Kaya,

01:36.370 --> 01:40.210
the Council General of
Italy, Mr. Giorgio and

01:40.210 --> 01:42.943
the Council General of
Romania, Mrs. Stefan,

01:44.490 --> 01:48.313
the Commander Joint Force
Command Brunssum General Vollmer,

01:49.420 --> 01:51.407
the Chief of Defense of Romania,

01:51.407 --> 01:53.363
Lieutenant General Petrescu,

01:54.600 --> 01:58.430
the Commander of The Aegean
Army Lieutenant General Sivri

01:59.440 --> 02:02.068
and the Commander Ait-Training Command,

02:02.068 --> 02:05.240
Lieutenant General Carriolu,

02:05.240 --> 02:08.550
the Deputy Commander Landcom
Lieutenant General Cripwell

02:08.550 --> 02:13.220
and Mrs. Cripwell, the
Commander Joint Force Command,

02:13.220 --> 02:16.950
sorry, the Deputy Commander
Joint Force Command Naples

02:16.950 --> 02:18.250
Lieutenant General Lavoie,

02:19.500 --> 02:23.943
the Commander NRDC Turkey
Lieutenant General Yeni,

02:24.960 --> 02:29.400
the Commander ARRC Lieutenant
General Smyth-Osbourne,

02:29.400 --> 02:32.690
the Commander 1st German Netherlands Corps

02:32.690 --> 02:33.990
Lieutenant General Marlow,

02:35.200 --> 02:38.823
the Romanian Land Forces
Commander Major General Berdilă,

02:39.910 --> 02:42.870
the Commander Multinational Corp Southeast

02:42.870 --> 02:45.320
Major General Tomescu and

02:45.320 --> 02:49.023
the Commander Southern Sea
Area, Rear Admiral Sharon,

02:50.650 --> 02:54.313
representing the mayor of
Izmir, Dr. Charlian and

02:55.349 --> 02:59.500
the military attachees
from Bulgaria, Croatia,

02:59.500 --> 03:04.500
Greece, Hungary, Poland,
Romania, the United Kingdom and

03:06.170 --> 03:07.463
the United States.

03:09.790 --> 03:11.160
Ladies and gentlemen,

03:11.160 --> 03:13.850
please stand for the
marching on of the colors and

03:13.850 --> 03:15.700
the playing of the NATO hymn and

03:15.700 --> 03:17.357
the Turkish national Anthem.

03:31.404 --> 03:34.321
(ceremonial music)

07:12.657 --> 07:14.003
Please be seated.

07:25.860 --> 07:29.790
Ladies and gentlemen, the
Supreme Allied Commander Europe

07:29.790 --> 07:30.853
General Todd Walters.

07:40.940 --> 07:45.940
- Ambassadors, chads, fellow
flag officers, sea cells,

07:47.153 --> 07:52.153
distinguished guests,
incredible incredible host here

07:53.130 --> 07:57.340
in Turkey and most importantly
to all the men and women

07:57.340 --> 08:00.900
of Landcom, it's an honor
to be in your presence

08:00.900 --> 08:04.023
on this beautiful day in beautiful Izmir.

08:05.500 --> 08:07.890
Without going any further,
let me take just a couple

08:07.890 --> 08:10.900
of quick seconds to
thank all of the members

08:10.900 --> 08:14.220
of this formation and
all of the blood, sweat,

08:14.220 --> 08:16.683
and tears that have gone
into pulling this off.

08:17.530 --> 08:18.430
As we all know,

08:18.430 --> 08:19.870
a Change Of Command ceremony

08:19.870 --> 08:23.190
is difficult during normal
times, but here we are

08:23.190 --> 08:27.610
in Covid and we're together
and this is efficient

08:27.610 --> 08:30.160
and we're virtual and we're alive.

08:30.160 --> 08:33.210
Our sincere appreciation
to everything J.T. that you

08:33.210 --> 08:34.150
and your team have done

08:34.150 --> 08:36.653
to make this a very,
very special occasion.

08:38.270 --> 08:40.670
Let me also take a couple
seconds to thank each

08:40.670 --> 08:44.040
and every one of you for
continuing to put one foot in front

08:44.040 --> 08:47.550
of the other with respect to COVID-19

08:47.550 --> 08:50.110
and we offer our condolences to all

08:50.110 --> 08:52.690
of those who are still impacted

08:52.690 --> 08:55.273
and will be impacted by COVID-19.

08:56.930 --> 09:00.710
And let me take this opportunity
to extend a special thanks

09:00.710 --> 09:02.660
to our host military.

09:02.660 --> 09:03.830
It has always been an honor

09:03.830 --> 09:07.830
to serve side by side with our military,

09:07.830 --> 09:09.490
from the great nation of Turkey.

09:09.490 --> 09:12.950
You treat us as your
brothers and your sisters

09:12.950 --> 09:15.540
and as your sons and as your daughters,

09:15.540 --> 09:18.153
and we adore the opportunity
to serve at your side.

09:19.716 --> 09:23.340
Today we have the opportunity
to say goodbye and farewell

09:23.340 --> 09:27.520
to a legend inside of the
United States Army and US-NATO,

09:27.520 --> 09:29.623
and welcome another army legend.

09:30.730 --> 09:35.500
J.T. Thompson has served with
distinction for over 34 years,

09:35.500 --> 09:39.480
eats and breathes and
lives and loves freedom.

09:39.480 --> 09:41.640
His family, Holly, Tyler,

09:41.640 --> 09:45.370
and Parker are back home
and they can't wait for J.T.

09:45.370 --> 09:50.270
to be done so he can get back
to beautiful Killeen Texas

09:50.270 --> 09:52.550
and set up Fort Thompson.

09:52.550 --> 09:54.800
But before he goes, I just
wanna remind him of a couple

09:54.800 --> 09:56.230
of the great things that he's done at

09:56.230 --> 09:59.603
the strategic level here at
NATO and throughout his career.

10:00.740 --> 10:03.770
When J.T. got to Landcom,
we needed to make sure

10:03.770 --> 10:06.100
that we took advantage
of the previous posturing

10:06.100 --> 10:07.423
that had taken place.

10:08.370 --> 10:10.380
And he got very, very serious and very,

10:10.380 --> 10:13.113
very busy and certifying
our Land headquarters.

10:14.010 --> 10:17.530
And today when our Land
headquarters appears under

10:17.530 --> 10:21.320
his certification, we
absolutely positively know

10:21.320 --> 10:24.640
that we already, and he had
the additional challenge

10:24.640 --> 10:27.000
to find a way to make sure

10:27.000 --> 10:31.840
that this Landcom could become
an above core headquarters

10:31.840 --> 10:34.810
and command at the domain
level throughout all of Europe.

10:34.810 --> 10:39.300
And that reality is here
today and we effectively deter

10:39.300 --> 10:42.260
in Europe as a result of
the blood, sweat and tears

10:42.260 --> 10:46.690
that you as Landcom and General
Thompson had poured into

10:46.690 --> 10:48.420
the environment.

10:48.420 --> 10:52.700
J.T. the transformation has
been magnificent and the proof

10:52.700 --> 10:57.050
in the pudding is this, we
effectively deter in Europe.

10:57.050 --> 11:00.950
We have freedom today, we've
had it for seven decades.

11:00.950 --> 11:03.450
It's very, very difficult.

11:03.450 --> 11:06.580
And throughout Europe,
and on continent and in

11:06.580 --> 11:10.440
the Land domain, the command
and control and the effect

11:10.440 --> 11:13.150
that we can place on the
environment will continue

11:13.150 --> 11:16.450
to be more and more
pronounced over time and more

11:16.450 --> 11:19.270
and more effective in delivering peace,

11:19.270 --> 11:21.950
which is exactly what we're here for.

11:21.950 --> 11:26.580
J.T. you're a dear friend
to me and so many others

11:26.580 --> 11:30.500
and your existence is why we
all adore serving in uniform.

11:30.500 --> 11:33.600
They have the opportunity
to come face to face

11:33.600 --> 11:35.560
with a legend like you.

11:35.560 --> 11:39.440
We wish you the bluest of
skies and the comets of seas as

11:39.440 --> 11:42.490
you press back to the
West and the United States

11:42.490 --> 11:44.350
and you reside in Texas.

11:44.350 --> 11:46.800
We're so proud of all
that you've accomplished.

11:46.800 --> 11:48.840
We're also so proud of
the fact that we know

11:48.840 --> 11:50.850
that you'll still be very, very connected

11:50.850 --> 11:54.200
to us as a European senior mentor,

11:54.200 --> 11:56.960
as well as a U.S. Army senior mentor.

11:56.960 --> 12:00.230
You just don't know how to stop serving

12:00.230 --> 12:02.220
and we're so grateful for all of that.

12:02.220 --> 12:04.460
So you and Holly, we
wish you the best of luck

12:04.460 --> 12:05.660
in your transition.

12:05.660 --> 12:08.025
Congratulations on a job well done.

12:08.025 --> 12:10.525
(crowd claps)

12:16.630 --> 12:18.950
Well, we're proud of our
U.S. military as so many

12:18.950 --> 12:21.253
of you are proud of your
nation's militaries,

12:22.120 --> 12:23.840
because when we say
goodbye to one commander,

12:23.840 --> 12:26.720
the expectation is the next commander

12:26.720 --> 12:28.063
is gonna be even better.

12:29.100 --> 12:32.723
And that's exactly the
case with Roger Cloutier.

12:33.750 --> 12:35.640
And I gotta pause here just for a second

12:35.640 --> 12:37.300
and I have to take this moment

12:37.300 --> 12:38.843
to share some comedy with you.

12:39.680 --> 12:42.653
I adore saying the name Roger Cloutier,

12:43.780 --> 12:47.670
and you have to admit when you
say it, it's really exciting,

12:47.670 --> 12:50.930
it's really cool and
it's really fascinating.

12:50.930 --> 12:54.120
And I must say the only
name that I can think of

12:54.120 --> 12:57.760
that's any more pizzazzy
than Roger Cloutier,

12:57.760 --> 13:01.033
might be James Bond.

13:03.420 --> 13:08.420
Roger you have served
for approaching 34 years

13:09.210 --> 13:13.010
and you have followed J.T.
in many of his assignments.

13:13.010 --> 13:15.040
We all know you very, very well.

13:15.040 --> 13:19.150
You have served in NATO with
distinction for over decades.

13:19.150 --> 13:23.060
You know, the turf, you know
the terrain like no others

13:23.060 --> 13:27.360
and Diane and Hayley and
Roger III and Cameron,

13:27.360 --> 13:30.060
all soldiers currently,
and soldiers to be in

13:30.060 --> 13:33.650
the future will continue to
make sure that they do all

13:33.650 --> 13:35.260
the things that they can possibly do

13:35.260 --> 13:38.090
to facilitate your great success.

13:38.090 --> 13:39.440
Roger, you got a lot on your mind.

13:39.440 --> 13:42.090
There's a million things to think about.

13:42.090 --> 13:44.240
The one piece of advice
that I would offer you,

13:44.240 --> 13:46.430
and you don't need my advice,

13:46.430 --> 13:49.790
because you command with integrity,

13:49.790 --> 13:51.930
and you command with conviction

13:51.930 --> 13:54.370
and you command with inspiration.

13:54.370 --> 13:58.950
We would just ask Roger that
you lead Landcom your way,

13:58.950 --> 14:00.190
the Cloutier way.

14:00.190 --> 14:02.370
It's been incredibly successful for three

14:02.370 --> 14:06.190
and a half decades and we know
with all that you know about

14:06.190 --> 14:08.380
this environment, that every single thing

14:08.380 --> 14:12.150
that you would do will make
this a more peaceful Europe.

14:12.150 --> 14:14.690
Congratulations, Roger and
I look forward to serving

14:14.690 --> 14:15.533
at your side.

14:16.480 --> 14:19.253
My final note goes to the
men and women of Landcom.

14:20.930 --> 14:25.253
Peace in 2020 is really difficult.

14:26.370 --> 14:28.350
We've got a lot of security challenges in

14:28.350 --> 14:30.180
the security environment.

14:30.180 --> 14:34.420
We've got COVID-19, but as
long as we have soldiers,

14:34.420 --> 14:37.170
like the ones in Landcom that continue

14:37.170 --> 14:40.020
to put one foot in front of the other

14:40.020 --> 14:44.560
and focus with vigilance
on the mission, we'll have

14:44.560 --> 14:47.630
the peace that we've enjoyed
for seven decades and

14:47.630 --> 14:49.840
it will continue in perpetuity.

14:49.840 --> 14:52.786
God bless you all and you very much.

14:52.786 --> 14:55.286
(crowd claps)

15:06.550 --> 15:07.870
- Ladies and gentlemen,

15:07.870 --> 15:08.870
the Commander,

15:08.870 --> 15:12.530
Allied Land Command Lieutenant
general J.T. Thompson,

15:12.530 --> 15:15.637
will now address the parade
as the outgoing commander.

15:21.850 --> 15:25.730
- Your excellencies,
consoles, general officers,

15:25.730 --> 15:28.620
distinguished guests, friends, families,

15:28.620 --> 15:30.850
and members of NATO Allied Land Command

15:32.019 --> 15:35.519
(speaks foreign language)

15:37.890 --> 15:39.750
Good morning and welcome.

15:39.750 --> 15:42.480
Thank you for joining us
and beautiful Izmir for

15:42.480 --> 15:44.200
this special occasion.

15:44.200 --> 15:46.060
To general Walter, sir,

15:46.060 --> 15:48.680
thank you for the kind words, but more so,

15:48.680 --> 15:51.490
thank you for your tremendous leadership.

15:51.490 --> 15:54.290
It is a noble duty to
serve and the strongest

15:54.290 --> 15:57.430
and most successful Alliance in the world.

15:57.430 --> 16:00.510
A bond that has endured
for over seven decades,

16:00.510 --> 16:04.150
which guarantees the peace
for almost 1 billion citizens

16:04.150 --> 16:05.730
of 30 nations.

16:05.730 --> 16:08.277
So we are truly blessed
to have you a sec here,

16:08.277 --> 16:11.190
and I am personally grateful
to you for your inspiration

16:11.190 --> 16:12.023
and example.

16:13.310 --> 16:16.240
I also offer special
thanks to our host nation,

16:16.240 --> 16:17.523
the Republic of Turkey.

16:18.400 --> 16:21.560
Landcom is very fortunate to be based at

16:21.560 --> 16:25.250
this strategic location
on the Aegean coast.

16:25.250 --> 16:29.350
Our soldiers, sailors, airmen,
we even have one marine,

16:29.350 --> 16:32.370
our civilians and our family members,

16:32.370 --> 16:36.250
from 25 different nations
are warmly embraced

16:37.270 --> 16:41.230
and we are extremely
appreciative for your incredible

16:41.230 --> 16:43.310
and unwavering support.

16:43.310 --> 16:47.580
Izmir is truly home away from
home and I will never forget

16:47.580 --> 16:50.990
the genuine kindness and hospitality and

16:50.990 --> 16:54.740
to minister Akar, General
Guller and General Dundar

16:54.740 --> 16:57.628
and all of my Turkish brothers and sisters

16:57.628 --> 17:01.128
(speaks foreign language)

17:03.332 --> 17:06.070
To the host nation support
brigade, the MWR team,

17:06.070 --> 17:09.590
the amazing protocol team,
the base support group,

17:09.590 --> 17:12.480
well done on organizing,
not just this ceremony,

17:12.480 --> 17:13.960
but the week's events.

17:13.960 --> 17:15.873
You remained my personal champions.

17:17.200 --> 17:20.150
To the senior military
leaders across NATO,

17:20.150 --> 17:23.850
it's been an honor to serve
under you and with you.

17:23.850 --> 17:28.180
The names and fond memories
will remain with me for the rest

17:28.180 --> 17:29.093
of my life.

17:30.120 --> 17:34.690
Peach, Scaparrotti, Walters, Everard,

17:34.690 --> 17:38.144
Knight, Bradford, Marchio, Bueller,

17:38.144 --> 17:42.060
Vollmer, Fogo, Herrigan, Johnston,

17:42.060 --> 17:45.523
Blount, Lewis, Canopy,
Cavoli and so many more.

17:47.710 --> 17:52.220
Your professionalism, collaboration
and selflessness ensured

17:52.220 --> 17:54.760
the strength and unity of the Alliance.

17:54.760 --> 17:59.490
Thank you for providing
focus, confidence and cohesion

17:59.490 --> 18:03.470
as we continue to generate
peace in today's complex dynamic

18:03.470 --> 18:05.220
and uncertain security environment.

18:06.260 --> 18:08.700
To the mighty Landcom team
that I've been privileged

18:08.700 --> 18:11.750
to serve with for the past two years.

18:11.750 --> 18:14.590
Thank you for your steadfast diligence,

18:14.590 --> 18:17.140
your selfless teamwork and your commitment

18:17.140 --> 18:18.420
to excellence.

18:18.420 --> 18:21.700
Under the direction of first
Major General Erhan Uzun,

18:21.700 --> 18:23.733
and now Major General Metin Tokel,

18:25.080 --> 18:29.840
the Landcom headquarters is an
amazing team, built on trust

18:29.840 --> 18:34.840
and I'm indebted to you for who
you are, for what you do and

18:35.180 --> 18:36.507
for what you stand for.

18:37.870 --> 18:41.997
The heart and soul of
Alliance, Land power resides in

18:43.960 --> 18:47.230
the high readiness corp
and division headquarters,

18:47.230 --> 18:50.333
deterrence and defense is their DNA.

18:51.400 --> 18:53.290
And the proceeding two years,

18:53.290 --> 18:54.123
I've had the privilege

18:54.123 --> 18:56.520
of serving with 21
different corps commanders,

18:56.520 --> 18:58.750
seven different division commanders.

18:58.750 --> 19:02.470
As they rotated through these
vital war fighting commands.

19:02.470 --> 19:05.563
Their names are a drum roll
of incredible warriors,

19:06.960 --> 19:11.150
Radford, Smyth-Osborne,
Peretti, Miglietta,

19:12.077 --> 19:16.797
Daisal, Yeni, Vanderland, Mice,

19:16.797 --> 19:21.797
Marlow, Hoffman, Wojcikowski,
Petrescu who is now a chad,

19:23.230 --> 19:27.190
Berdia, if you put you that side, J.J.,

19:27.190 --> 19:32.190
Tomescu, Dan, Picos, Cutros, Cucos,

19:32.390 --> 19:35.020
Cologer, Vite, Jullay, Gone, Garcia,

19:35.020 --> 19:39.230
Vaquero, Motoschky,
Mathiasson and Rastuccia,

19:39.230 --> 19:42.880
thank you all for being
great team players and being

19:42.880 --> 19:47.640
on point in competition,
crisis and conflict.

19:47.640 --> 19:50.530
You are the type of
leaders that I want my sons

19:50.530 --> 19:51.393
to serve under.

19:54.470 --> 19:57.820
To Lieutenant general,
Richard and Louis Cripwell,

19:57.820 --> 20:00.950
thank you for your tremendous
leadership and friendship.

20:00.950 --> 20:03.010
Landcom is fortunate
to have you here during

20:03.010 --> 20:04.770
this transition, we could not have asked

20:04.770 --> 20:06.540
for a better deacon.

20:06.540 --> 20:10.150
I'm especially appreciative
for you always lending an ear

20:10.150 --> 20:12.053
and keenly offering sound judgment.

20:13.010 --> 20:16.680
And thank you also for helping
me with proper English,

20:16.680 --> 20:17.700
but I'm just gonna admit,

20:17.700 --> 20:20.513
I still don't know what erudite means.

20:22.690 --> 20:25.680
Chief Warrant Officer
Mathers and Christy Rock,

20:25.680 --> 20:28.290
and before them, Steven, Carr and Rice,

20:28.290 --> 20:30.110
thank you for your magnificent services.

20:30.110 --> 20:32.630
The command senior enlisted leader, sadly,

20:32.630 --> 20:35.260
Steve left this way
too soon, but I know he

20:35.260 --> 20:37.653
is fondly looking down
on us from the heavens.

20:38.910 --> 20:40.440
So all of our Sea cells,

20:40.440 --> 20:43.460
including SAR Major Jose
from NRDC Turkey that

20:43.460 --> 20:44.480
is here today.

20:44.480 --> 20:45.890
Thank you for ensuring

20:45.890 --> 20:48.930
that our professional
non-commissioned officer corps

20:48.930 --> 20:52.163
continues to give NATO
a competitive advantage.

20:53.040 --> 20:54.040
Though it is always tough

20:54.040 --> 20:56.530
to relinquish command as
much easier when you do so

20:56.530 --> 20:59.280
to a good friend and a proven lawyer,

20:59.280 --> 21:02.800
Roger Cloutier and I served
as captains together on

21:02.800 --> 21:05.300
the Plains of central Europe as majors in

21:05.300 --> 21:08.490
the fourth infantry
division, as colonels in Iraq

21:08.490 --> 21:11.170
and then most recently
here in Europe as generals

21:11.170 --> 21:14.130
and we were captains, we never
thought this would occur.

21:14.130 --> 21:16.430
Army does have a sense
of humor, but Roger,

21:16.430 --> 21:17.600
welcome back to NATO.

21:17.600 --> 21:19.523
I wish you and Diane, the very best.

21:20.370 --> 21:22.680
Soldiering is certainly a family affair

21:22.680 --> 21:24.820
and it does come with shared burdens,

21:24.820 --> 21:27.680
to Holly, Tyler and Parker,
It's one o'clock back

21:27.680 --> 21:30.610
in Texas a little bit later,
and all of my family and all

21:30.610 --> 21:33.860
of my loved ones in Texas,
I'm excited to return home

21:33.860 --> 21:35.030
and reunite.

21:35.030 --> 21:38.570
There are chores to be done,
there are good times to be had

21:38.570 --> 21:41.320
and there's a lot of fish
that need to be caught.

21:41.320 --> 21:43.870
I look forward to the future
and ready to pay back.

21:45.180 --> 21:50.180
History teaches us that
strength deters aggression,

21:50.690 --> 21:54.410
given today's era of
great power competition,

21:54.410 --> 21:58.423
it is incumbent on Land forces
to remain ready and strong.

21:59.310 --> 22:03.680
Marcus Aurelius, an ancient
Roman philosopher once said

22:03.680 --> 22:07.040
that what we do now echoes in eternity

22:07.040 --> 22:09.870
and there was no doubt in my
mind that what we have done

22:09.870 --> 22:14.630
and continue to do across the
Land domain will indeed echo

22:14.630 --> 22:16.150
in eternity.

22:16.150 --> 22:18.230
It has been my distinct
honor and the privilege

22:18.230 --> 22:20.973
of a lifetime to serve with you.

22:21.942 --> 22:25.960
(speaks foreign language)

22:25.960 --> 22:27.946
Thank you for the soldier.

22:27.946 --> 22:30.446
(crowd claps)

22:41.180 --> 22:44.370
- The military Change of
Command ceremony is a time of

22:44.370 --> 22:47.980
the tradition that
formalizes the transition of

22:47.980 --> 22:51.963
the responsibility and authority
of command for a commander.

22:54.010 --> 22:58.790
Throughout military history,
during peace and conflict,

22:58.790 --> 23:02.140
the colors have marked the
location of the commander

23:02.140 --> 23:06.620
and served as a symbol of
leadership, morale and the source

23:06.620 --> 23:08.793
of greater pride for the unit.

23:23.920 --> 23:26.133
This tradition continues today.

23:27.550 --> 23:31.110
As general Walters will receive the colors

23:31.110 --> 23:33.870
from Lieutenant General
Thompson and present them to

23:33.870 --> 23:36.683
the incoming commander,
Lieutenant General Cloutier.

23:37.750 --> 23:40.780
Effective 4th of August 2020,

23:40.780 --> 23:44.290
Lieutenant General
Cloutier assumes command of

23:44.290 --> 23:46.733
the headquarters, Allied Land Command.

24:36.500 --> 24:38.030
Ladies and gentlemen,

24:38.030 --> 24:40.443
the commander headquarters
Allied Land Command,

24:40.443 --> 24:42.943
Lieutenant General Roger Cloutier.

24:50.750 --> 24:53.040
- Good morning ladies and gentlemen,

24:53.040 --> 24:56.600
your excellencies, councils,
commanders, directors,

24:56.600 --> 25:00.020
sergeants, major soldiers,
civilians, family members,

25:00.020 --> 25:02.620
Allied leaders, partners,
and special guests,

25:02.620 --> 25:05.480
good morning and thank you for being here.

25:05.480 --> 25:07.800
I wanna extend a special
thanks, General Walter, sir,

25:07.800 --> 25:10.260
for being here, you honor
us with your presence

25:10.260 --> 25:13.460
and thank you for presiding
over today's ceremony.

25:13.460 --> 25:16.520
Thank you for your kind
words, but more so thank you

25:16.520 --> 25:18.560
for your trust and confidence in me and

25:18.560 --> 25:20.590
the entire Landcom team.

25:20.590 --> 25:23.060
I'd also like to offer a special thanks

25:23.060 --> 25:24.630
to our Turkish hosts.

25:24.630 --> 25:27.690
The welcome has been absolutely fantastic

25:27.690 --> 25:30.140
and I'm delighted to
call Izmir my new home

25:31.260 --> 25:34.260
and we are eternally
grateful for the incredible

25:34.260 --> 25:37.460
and unwavering support
that you have provided

25:37.460 --> 25:39.890
to this NATO headquarters and I apologize,

25:39.890 --> 25:41.850
I'm gonna try to say thank you in Turkish,

25:41.850 --> 25:43.941
so I apologize upfront.

25:43.941 --> 25:45.438
(speaks foreign language)

25:45.438 --> 25:46.610
I thank you so much.

25:46.610 --> 25:49.600
And then to the entire
NATO community, I'm humbled

25:49.600 --> 25:53.190
and excited to be joining
this outstanding command and

25:53.190 --> 25:56.840
to be part of the most
successful and strongest Alliance

25:56.840 --> 25:58.280
in the world.

25:58.280 --> 26:02.080
I'm honored to be here also
to recognize and celebrate

26:02.080 --> 26:05.460
the great work that NATO Allied
Land Command has been doing

26:05.460 --> 26:07.100
under J.T's watch.

26:07.100 --> 26:10.030
The mutual respect, the strong partnership

26:10.030 --> 26:12.850
that exists between
NATO Allied Land Command

26:12.850 --> 26:14.823
and our Turkish hosts is evident.

26:15.950 --> 26:20.730
So J.T., thank you for your
warm and gracious welcome.

26:20.730 --> 26:23.670
You provided me, your
help has made this a very,

26:23.670 --> 26:26.320
very smooth transition and
I already feel at home in

26:26.320 --> 26:28.980
the community and I owe
a great debt of thanks

26:28.980 --> 26:30.430
to you, brother.

26:30.430 --> 26:33.090
Your continued focus on leadership
development and building

26:33.090 --> 26:35.620
the team has set me up to
succeed and I'm really glad

26:35.620 --> 26:36.600
that you're finally gonna get

26:36.600 --> 26:38.950
to spend some quality time with Holly and

26:38.950 --> 26:40.630
the family back home.

26:40.630 --> 26:44.010
Safe travels, as you
voyage back through Germany

26:44.010 --> 26:46.310
and then back to the States.

26:46.310 --> 26:50.220
And I wanna personally say
thank you for 30 years,

26:50.220 --> 26:55.000
34 years of faithful service
to your nation and to peace.

26:55.000 --> 26:57.620
That is your entire adult
life that you have given

26:57.620 --> 26:59.480
in service and sacrificed to your nation.

26:59.480 --> 27:01.991
So thank you for a job well done, brother.

27:01.991 --> 27:04.491
(crowd claps)

27:07.420 --> 27:10.140
And then I wanna say to my
family, to my wife, Diana,

27:10.140 --> 27:12.910
my kids, Hayley, Roger and Cameron,

27:12.910 --> 27:15.510
thank you so much for your love
and support all these years

27:15.510 --> 27:17.690
and across the entire world.

27:17.690 --> 27:21.420
Behind every great soldier
is an even better family

27:21.420 --> 27:23.650
and I wouldn't be standing
here today without your love

27:23.650 --> 27:25.760
and support Diane,
Hayley, Roger and Cameron,

27:25.760 --> 27:28.793
thank you all so much and
I love you very, very much.

27:30.340 --> 27:32.450
So I look forward to
continuing the great work that

27:32.450 --> 27:34.880
this command has been doing
under a J.T's leadership.

27:34.880 --> 27:37.720
It's clear to me that we're
in an important chapter

27:37.720 --> 27:39.120
for Landcom.

27:39.120 --> 27:41.510
In today's complex dynamic

27:41.510 --> 27:45.060
and uncertain security
environment, ensuring dominance

27:45.060 --> 27:48.950
in the Land domain has
never been more important

27:48.950 --> 27:50.860
and I'm impressed with the progress

27:50.860 --> 27:54.430
this headquarters has made
and continues to make.

27:54.430 --> 27:56.050
And I know that I still have many leaders

27:56.050 --> 27:58.550
and service members to meet
and I look forward to doing

27:58.550 --> 28:00.570
that in the coming weeks.

28:00.570 --> 28:04.050
So to the Landcom team, I know
you're already getting after

28:04.050 --> 28:06.540
it and I'mma do my best
to hit the ground running

28:06.540 --> 28:09.640
and get up to speed as
quickly as possible.

28:09.640 --> 28:13.080
Your reputation for
excellence proceeds you

28:13.080 --> 28:15.633
and extends far beyond beautiful Izmir.

28:16.480 --> 28:20.410
It's an honor to serve with
you and I could not be prouder

28:20.410 --> 28:24.170
to join this team as we
write the next chapter in

28:24.170 --> 28:25.360
the NATO story.

28:25.360 --> 28:28.270
So thank you very much for
attending to all of you

28:28.270 --> 28:30.090
and I look forward to getting
to know each and every one

28:30.090 --> 28:31.533
of you, for the soldier.

28:32.542 --> 28:35.042
(crowd claps)

28:44.280 --> 28:47.480
- Ladies and gentlemen,
please rise and be prepared

28:47.480 --> 28:50.520
to salute for the marching
off of the colors.

29:04.883 --> 29:07.800
(ceremonial music)