Fort Bliss and El Paso said goodbye to its native commander and hello to a new leader with proven combat chops on Thursday.
Maj. Gen. Dana J.H. Pittard '81, an El Paso native, relinquished command of Fort Bliss and the 1st Armored Division to Maj. Gen. Sean B. MacFarland '81 during a ceremony attended by more than 1,000 soldiers, family members, and El Paso civic leaders.
"It's been an absolute pleasure to command the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss," Pittard said during the ceremony. "To command a division in my hometown has been an incredible experience.
"I'm blessed to be able to turn over command to an old friend and West Point classmate," Pittard continued. "I've known Gen. MacFarland since we were teenagers" at the U.S. Military Academy.
MacFarland, a native of upstate New York, most recently served in a dual role as deputy chief of staff for operations for the International Security Assistance Force in Afghan istan and as deputy commanding general for operations for U.S. forces there.
MacFarland is a "combat seasoned leader," Gen. Daniel B. Allyn '81, commander of Forces Command, said after the ceremony.
"He knows Fort Bliss from multiple tours here," Allyn said. "He knows how to lead. That's what he'll bring to the team. It's going to be exceptional."