Fort Wainwright transitions into new leadership

FAIRBANKS, Alaska (KTVF) - Fort wainwright hosted a change of command ceremony and celebrated Nate Surrey’s service as the outgoing U.S Army Garrison Alaska Commander.

Friends, family and distinguished guests arrived at Fort Wainwright to attend the change of command ceremony that took place on Tuesday, Aug. 8. Nate Surrey turned over command to Jason Cole who is now the U.S. Army Garrison Alaska Commander and will hold his position for two years.

Meanwhile, this gathering celebrates new leadership and Surrey isn’t going anywhere. Surrey will take on a new position as the 11th Airborne Division Aviation Task Force Commander at Fort Wainwright.

“The Army made the decision let’s stand up at O six command up here. That has a direct line to General Eifler, so the chain of command line is clear. That is massive for a multitude of reasons. So that’s what we’re doing, we’re building up that command over the next year. It’ll stand up next June, early July and it will remove those difficult command relationships that are almost a cot and an ocean away in some cases,” said, Surrey.

Cole has been in Alaska for two weeks and as he looks toward the next two years, Fort Wainwright will be home. He’s thankful his family was at the ceremony today and even more thankful they will all call Fort Wainwright home for a little while.

“With the last twenty years with the U.S military, with deployments, my family actually has missed a lot of ceremony and promotions events so I’m really excited they were able to be here today and witness some of the customs and courtesies that have existed for over 200 years with the U.S Army. So I’m glad they were able to be a part of that today. You know not necessarily for me but for them to understand what their father has been doing for the last 23 years,” said Cole.

More information is available on the U.S. Army Fort Wainwright website.

Copyright 2023 KTVF. All rights reserved.