Army’s TACOM in Warren names new commander

Warren — Welcomed by a salute battery, patriotic band tunes and marching soldiers, Maj. Gen. Clark W. LeMasters Jr. was named Monday commander of a facility he says is key to military “readiness.”

LeMasters officially stepped into the role at the U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, succeeding Maj. Gen. Gwen Bingham, the first woman to serve in that position.

“Command at this level is a great responsibility and a huge privilege, and I promise you I am prepared and committed to carrying on the traditions of this great organization,” LeMasters said.

LeMasters encouraged the civilians and military personnel at TACOM in Warren to stay focused and “continue the great support that you provide daily.”

TACOM develops and sustains nearly 65 percent of the equipment an Army Brigade Combat Team uses.

“All this equipment that’s out here, the army puts it in the field to protect our soldiers and do their mission,” LeMasters said.

LeMasters told reporters after the ceremony that he planned to spend his first week in meetings with key leaders at TACOM to better understand the priorities at the facility.

Bingham, who had served as commander since 2014, praised LeMasters, who came to Warren from the U.S. Army Materiel Command, Redstone Arsenal, in Huntsville, Alabama.

“He is a leader of the highest caliber, extremely knowledgeable and well-respected across the army and” Department of Defense, Bingham said. “I’m happy knowing that indeed team TACOM LCMC is in great hands with your stalwart leadership.”

Bingham received her own accolades during the ceremony.

Gen. Dennis L. Via said Bingham was a “trailblazer” and “exceptional army leader.”

Bingham, he said, had a long list of accomplishments as commander including supporting deployments and operations across the Middle East, Europe and Africa, and increasing the number of fighting vehicles in Europe.

“Maj. Gen. Bingham once again proved herself as a capable, commanding general during the command of TACOM,” Via said.

Bingham touted the work of the employees she led at TACOM for the past two years.

“Teammates, we’ve covered a lot of good ground together,” she said. “And I’m humbled and grateful for the opportunity to serve as one among you in support of every combat and command joined force as teammate, allies and partner nations who use our equipment around the globe.”

A handful of state political leaders attended the ceremony including Rep. Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, and Rep. Sander Levin, D-Royal Oak.

Miller released a statement calling Bingham an “extraordinary leader.”

“I thank her for her service and am confident that Maj. Gen. Clark LeMasters will lead TACOM with the same standard of excellence,” Miller said in the statement. “ … TACOM is a critical component of our national defense that, under Maj. Gen. LeMasters’ guidance, will continue to ensure our servicemen and women have the equipment they need to do their job.”

nterry@detroitnews.com

(313) 222-6793