Lt. Col. Russell Henry takes command at SIAD
The command responsibility of Sierra Army Depot has changed hands following the Change of Command ceremony Wednesday, July 17, which welcomed incoming commander Lt. Col. Russell E. Henry.
During the Change of Command ceremony, outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Benjamin G. Johnson, relinquished the Sierra Army Depot colors to Major General Daniel G. Mitchell, Commanding General, U.S. Army TACOM, who then entrusted the colors to incoming commander Henry.
Lt. Col. Russell E. Henry is the new Commander at Sierra Army Depot following the Change of Command Ceremony Wednesday, July 17.“Sierra Army Depot, it is an absolute privilege to serve as your 42nd commander,” Henry said. “Since 1942, Sierra Army Depot’s most critical asset has, and always will be, our people — our dedicated workforce, our teammates, our family. All who are an extremely important part … Thank you for your commitment and your service. I look forward to serving alongside you for the next few years.”
During the ceremony, Mitchell and Johnson also spoke.
Mitchell thanked those in attendance and organizers, along with Johnson and his family for their years at Sierra Army Depot.
“Johnson has done an exceptional job,” Mitchell said. “Our loss is Fort Lee’s gain.”
Johnson also shared some parting words, thanking those who helped him, his family and the Sierra Army Depot employees.
“It’s been a true honor and privilege for Debbie and I to serve … it’s been a huge part of our lives for the last two years, and we enjoyed it immensely,” Johnson said, adding his sons enjoyed visiting Sierra Army Depot as well, especially the pool.
“We feel confident the team here is in good hands,” Johnson said.
During the ceremony, the outgoing first wife, Debbie, Johnson, was awarded red blooming roses, and gifts were given to their two children.
Incoming first wife, Desiree Henry, was presented with yellow budding roses, and their three sons and attending family were presented with gifts, as well.
There was even an Air Force fly-over during the ceremony.
Henry thanked his family and friends for attending the Change of Command Ceremony, and noted family was his driving force; his wife of 22 years, and their three sons Russell Jr., Robert and Ryan.
“Family is the reason I do what I do,” he said.
Lt. Col. Russell E. Henry
Henry enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1995 as a field artilleryman. He achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class, and was inducted into the Sergeant Morales Club and Sergeant Audie Murphy Club. After eight years of service, he earned a commission through the Army’s Officer Candidate School in January 2003, and was commissioned into the Transportation Corps.
His other assignments include Battalion Executive Officer for 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, Fourth Sustainment Brigade, and the Division Transportation Officer for Fourth Infantry Division. He has held a variety of logistics assignments at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels to include Battalion S1, S3, and Deputy Support Operations Officer for 524th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 45th Sustainment Brigade and Logistics Advisor for a Military Transition Team. His command experience includes Company Commander for 25th Transportation Company, 45th Sustainment Brigade, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Henry has three combat tours, one in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (2006-07) and two in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2010-2011 and 2013-2014).
His awards include the Bronze Star with one oak leaf cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four oak lead clusters, Army Achievement Medal one leaf cluster, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal and the Master Parachutist Badge. He is also the recipient of the Saint Barbara and Saint Christopher awards.
His most recent assignment was with the U.S. European Command Logistics Directorate in Stuttgart, Germany as a joint strategic logistics planner. During his tenure there, he served as the lead exercise planner for the USEUCOM J4 and the lead strategic logistics planner for the USEUCOM logistics strategy.
Henry is a graduate of the Army Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, and the Joint Combined Warfighter School in Norfolk, Virginia. He graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts in business administration from Saint Leo University, and a master of arts in procurement and acquisition management from Webster University.
