The Defense Threat Reduction Agency And US Strategic Command Center-WMD Leadership Changing Hands

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - March 4, 2016 - PRLog -- Director Ken Myers III handed over responsibility for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and U.S. Strategic Command Center for Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction (SCC-WMD) and U.S. Strategic Command Standing Joint Force Headquarters for Elimination (SJFHQ-E) to U.S. Air Force Major General John P. Horner during a formal Change of Responsibility ceremony on Friday, March 4. General Horner has been serving as the Deputy Director for DTRA/SCC-WMD and Commander, Standing Joint Forces Headquarters for Elimination.

The ceremony, co-hosted by the honorable Frank Kendall, Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and Admiral Cecil D. Haney, Commander, U.S. Strategic Command, was held before an audience of over 300 service members and Department of Defense civilians and webcast to DTRA/SCC-WMD’s sites around the world.  Distinguished guests included former United States Senator Richard Lugar, Dr. Tom Hopkins, Acting Principal Deputy Secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Program, Lieutenant General Frank G. Klotz, United States Air Force (Ret),  the Department of Energy’s Under Secretary for Nuclear Security and Administrator for the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and Rose Gottemoeller, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

Mr. Myers was DTRA/SCC-WMD’s fourth and longest serving director. Myers’ contributions and dedication to the DTRA/SCC-WMD mission has been essential to safeguarding the U.S. and its allies against WMD.

“DTRA is performing exceptionally well; this is a fantastic organization,” said Kendall. “It has done great things for our country and it is instrumental in preventing some of the worst disasters one could imagine.”

Haney echoed Kendall’s remarks, saying “Myers’ outstanding leadership was critical in his role at the DTRA in countering some of the most dangerous technologies and threats facing our nation and the international community at large”

General Horner is an Air Force Academy graduate whose background includes positions in operations, intelligence, command and control, and manpower/personnel. He has commanded a fighter squadron, warfare group, operations wing, the USAF Recruiting Service, and served as Deputy Foreign Policy Advisor at U.S. European Command. A command pilot with over 4,000 flight hours, he deployed and flew combat missions over Iraq, the Balkans, and Afghanistan.

“I’d like to personally thank Director Myers for his leadership and vision,” said Horner. “We are well prepared to address the critical WMD threat that face our country and that of our allies.”

Myers concluded the ceremony by thanking his family, friends and staff. “Our biggest and greatest asset is our people. It is an understatement to say that I am proud of what we have accomplished together.  These last 6 1/2 years have been the best and most rewarding professional experience of my life, and this workforce and leadership team truly makes the world a safer place each day.”