Wyoming Army National Guard hosts change of command, retirement ceremony

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Recently, the Wyoming Army National Guard hosted a change of command and retirement ceremony at the Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters in Cheyenne.

That’s according to a release from the Army National Guard, which stated that the ceremony honored Brig. Gen. Steve Alkire, who retired after 35 years of distinguished military service. Alkire relinquished command of the Wyoming National Guard’s Land Component Command.

Taking up command is Brig. Gen. Edward Lewis. Lewis assumed his new role as Assistant to the Adjutant General — or ATAG — and also took over as Land Component Commander of the Wyoming Army National Guard.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Porter, Wyoming’s adjutant general, officiated the event and recognized Alkire’s decades of service, praising his career as a testament to dedication and leadership. He also welcomed Lewis to his new position.

“Change of command ceremonies are a time-honored military tradition that date back centuries,” the release states. “The formal transfer of authority is symbolized by the passing of the unit’s colors, representing the responsibility and trust placed in the new commander. This ritual emphasizes continuity in leadership and the enduring commitment to the mission and the soldiers who carry it out.”

Brig. Gen. Edward Lewis was promoted to brigadier general on Dec. 7.

“His leadership aims to build upon the strong foundation left by Alkire while advancing the Guard’s mission to serve and protect the state and nation,” the release states.

According to the release, Lewis is a 2002 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute and he began his military career as an enlisted combat engineer win the Virginia Army National Guard. He was commissioned later that year and has served in leadership and staff positions at every level of service, from team leader to deputy war plans chief within the U.S. Central Command J5 Strategy, and Plans and Policy Directorate.

His military education includes the Engineer Captains Career Course, Army Command and General Staff College and the Army War College. Additionally, Lewis holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from VMI, an MBA from American Military University and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

“His deployments include serving as a combat engineer platoon leader in Mosul, Iraq, in 2004 and as a horizontal construction company commander in Baghdad, Iraq, in 2008,” the release states. “Over his career, Lewis has commanded at the company and battalion levels and held key positions in the National Guard Bureau and at the state and division levels.”

Lewis has won multiple awards, including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Medal and Combat Action Badge.

“I want to do a better job of making sure people are getting recognized,” Lewis said. “We have a lot of good people doing a lot of awesome stuff.”

The event was attended by soldiers, their family members, colleagues and others — all of whom gathered to honor Alkire’s legacy and celebrate Lewis’s new opportunity to serve and lead.