The new commanding general at the U.S. Army Sustainment Command (ASC), Rock Island Arsenal, is a “great commander” who will do extremely well in his new job.
Those praises, and many more, were directed to Maj. Gen. David Wilson on Tuesday, July 19, during an hour-long change of command ceremony. More than 100 people from the military and Quad Cities communities watched the ceremonial transfer of command from Maj. Gen. Chris Mohan to Maj. Gen. Wilson during a sunny, windy day at Memorial Field on Arsenal Island.
Tuesday’s ceremony included live music from the 144th Army Band, a color guard and the loud booms from a cannon salute.
“Thank you to all the people who have prayed for me. … I am excited to get to work,” said the new commanding general.
He is ASC’s 12th commanding general since the command was established in 2006, and is the senior mission commander of the Rock Island Arsenal. He also is an officer who has the experience and skills to greatly help the ASC, according to the general who presided over the change of command ceremony.
“You are going to do fantastically well. … He is a great commander,” said Gen. Edward Daily, commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
The outgoing commander, Maj. Gen. Mohan, also had praise and welcoming words for the new commander. He also jokingly warned him of the often harsh winters in the region. While Tuesday’s windy conditions helped create a pleasant day, those winds continue during the cold weather months, he said. “Pack your snow gear.”
But much of Tuesday’s ceremony was also devoted to praising the Quad Cities community for its support of the ASC’s work. Davenport Mayor Mike Matson and Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms were two of the QC community members who attended the ceremony.
Maj. Gen. Mohan, the outgoing commander, also received words of praise and thanks during the Tuesday ceremony.
“Your work has been stellar and outstanding. … You have done spectacular, spectacular work,” Gen. Daily said.
The generals also thanked the soldiers and civilian workers who are members of the ASC. Gen. Daily called them the “unsung heroes” who produce excellent work that helps the military, country and the world.
He said that excellence will continue. “It is a change of command, not a change of direction,” added Gen. Daily.
He added that the ASC has helped in numerous humanitarian and combat operations around the world, including helping with Ukraine’s ongoing fight against Russia.
The new commander, Maj. Gen. Wilson, is a native of Charleston, South Carolina. He has deployed overseas numerous times in support of humanitarian and combat operations.
Maj. Gen. Mohan’s next assignment has not yet been determined, according to information from the Rock Island Arsenal.
