Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to Soldiers participating in D-Day 79. 600 Soldiers from 19 different units supported the “D-Day 79” ceremonies in the week leading up to June 6. The events commemorated the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Allied troops who landed in Normandy on that date in 1944. Austin met with 20 Soldiers in the DFAC of the Logistics Support Area, run by the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater).
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SAINTE-MÈRE-ÉGLISE, France — Amid commemorations for the 79th anniversary of D-Day, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin surprised at least one Soldier, Staff Sgt. Alexander Hrycyk, who did not expect to see the senior defense official in the dining facility.
Hrycyk was among 600 Soldiers from 19 different units who supported the “D-Day 79” ceremonies in the week leading up to June 6. The events commemorated the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Allied troops who landed in Normandy on that date in 1944.
Austin met with 20 Soldiers in the DFAC of the Logistics Support Area, run by the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater).
Soldiers speak to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin about their experience participating in D-Day 79 ceremonies. 600 Soldiers from 19 different units supported the “D-Day 79” ceremonies in the week leading up to June 6. The events commemorated the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Allied troops who landed in Normandy on that date in 1944. Austin met with 20 Soldiers in the DFAC of the Logistics Support Area, run by the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater).
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The 207th MIB (T) led the Task Force 79 mission command element from May 24 to June 7, synchronizing a large portion of the U.S. military’s support to D-Day commemoration activities such as coordinating transportation to memorial sites and ceremonies, organizing accommodations and meals for Soldiers, and ensuring the safety and accountability of participants.
“With the same expertise, professionalism, and esprit de corps applied to operations on the African continent, the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater) provided high-caliber support to the D-Day 79 logistical and command and control mission, ” explained Col. Stephen Skells, commander of the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater). “The Army, INSCOM, and I are proud of the team for the value provided to this incredibly significant event and for the personal and professional growth taken from it.”
Col. Stephen Skells,commander of 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater), speaks to Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin about the 207th MIB (T)’s role as the Task Force 79 mission command element. The 207th MIB (T) led the Task Force 79 mission command element from May 24 to June 7, synchronizing a large portion of the U.S. military’s support to D-Day commemoration activities such as coordinating transportation to memorial sites and ceremonies, organizing accommodations and meals for Soldiers, and ensuring the safety and accountability of participants.
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Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin speaks to Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa. 600 Soldiers from 19 different units who supported the “D-Day 79” ceremonies in the week leading up to June 6. The events commemorated the sacrifices and accomplishments of the Allied troops who landed in Normandy on that date in 1944. Austin met with 20 Soldiers in the DFAC of the Logistics Support Area, which was run by the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater).
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Before leaving Austin met Maj. Gen. Todd Wasmund, commanding general of U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa, Command Sgt. Maj. Reese Teakell, SETAF-AF command sergeant major, Col. Stephen Skells commander of 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater), and Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice Parker, MIB (T) command sergeant major. Pictured left to right, Command Sgt. Maj. Maurice Parker, Col. Stephen Skells, Command Sgt. Maj. Reese Teakell, Maj. Gen Todd Wasmund, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin.
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Headquartered in Vicenza, Italy, the 207th MIB(T) conducts Intelligence activities in support of Multi-Domain Operations from Competition to Crisis in support of the USAFRICOM, USAREUR-AF, and SETAF-AF Commanders’ operational decision-making in the USAFRICOM AOR, while building and maintaining intelligence readiness.
Austin was at the Normandy American Cemetery, taking part in the ceremony prior to his stop to meet with Soldiers. He expressed his gratitude for their efforts in representing the U.S. Army during several ceremonies.
“You get to do a lot of things when you’re in the Army, but this [D-Day 79] you will remember the rest of your life,” Austin said. “This is a part of your heritage,”
For Hrycyk, participating in D-Day shifted his perspective as to why serves, he said.
“D-Day renewed my motivation that I don’t do this for myself,” Hrycyk continued. “I do it for my family and, on a larger scale, for the collective well-being of others.”
