The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) unfurled its flag October 22, 2010 at a ceremony marking the official arrival of CECOM to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG).
The uncasing of the CECOM flag, symbolizes “…not only our new presence here, but also the continuity of mission, of vision, of people and purpose of the United States Army Communications-Electronics Command, or simply, CECOM,” said Maj. Gen. Randolph P. Strong, CECOM commander, in his remarks at the ceremony.
As part of the Army’s implementation of Base Realignment and Closure legislation passed by Congress in 2005, CECOM is in the final phases of its relocation from Fort Monmouth, N.J., to APG. With the completion of the construction of the first phase of the C4ISR Center of Excellence, the Army’s C4ISR Materiel Enterprise comprised of CECOM and partner organizations will now be co-located at the $800 million, 2.5 million square-foot campus.
The APG leadership, state of Maryland, and Harford County officials presented CECOM with symbols of the state in a gesture of welcome during the ceremony. Maryland Secretary of Higher Education Dr. James E. Lyons Sr., expressed his sentiment on the new partnership between CECOM and Maryland colleges and universities. Lyons stated that Maryland’s institutions of higher education are committed to providing the educational services to prepare the CECOM workforce for the future.
Now that CECOM is located at APG, the command will contribute to the installation’s transformation efforts in becoming the Army’s hub for science and technology.
“We bring a proud command heritage and look forward to helping Aberdeen Proving Ground transform into a beacon of science and technology for the Army and the region,” said Strong during his remarks. “We plan to use this campus as a catalyst for changing the way we do business,” said Strong. “We will nurture a collaborative working environment to develop, acquire, provide and sustain world-class C4ISR systems.”