Pittsburgh District welcomes new commander

Published Aug. 9, 2016
Upon his departure as the Pittsburgh District commander, Col. Bernard R. Lindstrom receives the Legion of Merit Award from Maj. Gen.  Donald E. (Ed) Jackson, Jr., July 29.

Upon his departure as the Pittsburgh District commander, Col. Bernard R. Lindstrom receives the Legion of Merit Award from Maj. Gen. Donald E. (Ed) Jackson, Jr., July 29.

As the new commander, Col. John P. Lloyd passed the flag to Lenna Hawkins, deputy district engineer. This gesture represents the seamless integration of the military and civilian team within the district.

As the new commander, Col. John P. Lloyd passed the flag to Lenna Hawkins, deputy district engineer. This gesture represents the seamless integration of the military and civilian team within the district.

In a traditional act that is rooted in military history dating back to the 18th century, Maj. Gen. Donald E. (Ed) Jackson, Jr., passed the command flag to Col. John P. Lloyd to symbolize the transfer of responsibility from one commander to another.

In a traditional act that is rooted in military history dating back to the 18th century, Maj. Gen. Donald E. (Ed) Jackson, Jr., passed the command flag to Col. John P. Lloyd to symbolize the transfer of responsibility from one commander to another.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District held its change of command ceremony at the Soldiers and Sailors Museum in Pittsburgh, Pa., July 29.

With pomp and circumstance, Col. John P. Lloyd assumed the command as the 53rd district engineer from Col. Bernard R. Lindstrom.

Lloyd arrived at the district after the completion of the National Security program at the Canadian Forces College. Prior to that, he served in a variety of engineer command and leadership positions including battalion commander of the 19th Engineer Battalion at Fort Knox, Ky.

Maj. Gen. Donald E. (Ed) Jackson, Jr., deputy commanding general for Civil and Emergency Operations, presided over the time-honored ceremony. In a traditional act that is rooted in military history dating back to the 18th century, Jackson passed the command flag from Lindstrom to Lloyd to symbolize the transfer of responsibility from one commander to another.

As the new commander, Lloyd passed the flag to Lenna Hawkins, deputy district engineer. This gesture represents the seamless integration of the military and civilian team within the district.

"In my short time that I have been here, my assessment is that the men and women of the Pittsburgh District are simply amazing in every way,” Lloyd said.

In his remarks, Lloyd expressed his gratitude for having the opportunity to command the district, and commented that being at the district was a first for him.

“I will say this is the first assignment where I did not have to go to the Central Issue Facility to receive an issue of various equipment like a helmet, ballistic vest or other important gear you need as a Soldier,” Lloyd said. “But the good news is -- I was issued my very own Terrible Towel. Although, I am a devoted Bills fan, I will ensure that I’ll always root for the Pirates, Penguins and Steelers – except for the one time a year that they play Buffalo.”

After the cheers and applauses faded, Lloyd when on to thank Col. Lindstrom and his wife for making his family feel at home in Pittsburgh from the first night of their arrival.

“Bernie and I have never served together,” he said. “But, like true Army families, they gave us a top-notch welcome, and went above and beyond to make Pittsburgh home. My family and I are incredibly proud to join the Pittsburgh District family and call the Pittsburgh community our home.”

Lloyd joins the district during its 150th anniversary of service to the region and the nation.

Pittsburgh is one of 44 U. S. Army Corps of Engineers districts worldwide. It supports the commercial navigation on 328 miles of the upper Ohio, Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers. Along Pittsburgh’s three rivers, the district operates and maintains 23 locks and dams. Last year, more than 46,000 barges carried 67 million tons of cargo through our locks making the Port of Pittsburgh the nation’s third busiest inland port.

“Pittsburgh District has its challenges – crumbling concrete and aging infrastructure,” Lindstrom said. “But, this group of people meets those challenges every day with innovative thinking and creative solutions, and I’m so proud to have been able to work with them. They are the heart and soul of the river and this district.”

For his service to the district and the nation, Lindstrom received the Legion of Merit Award from Maj. Gen. Jackson.

The award outlined Lindstrom’s 25 years of exceptionally meritorious service to the U.S. Army from May 1991 to July 2016. During that time, Lindstrom led efforts to support the nation during times of war and natural disaster. The award read that Lindstrom was leaving behind a legacy of accomplishments and contributions.

“Bernie, you have truly made a difference,” Jackson said. “You have been blessed by a tremendous supporting cast, but you have provided the leadership and vision that shaped success in every endeavor.”

Jackson commented that he understood it was difficult for the district to lose a great commander, but he assured everyone that Col. Lloyd was the right man for the job.

“John brings a wealth of experience, a passion for excellence and a love for the mission and people of the Corps of Engineers,” Jackson said. “There is simply no better officer to take over command of the Pittsburgh District than John Lloyd.”

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