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NEWS | Aug. 2, 2016

94th Training Command welcomes Lopez as new commander, bids farewell to Ainsworth

By Master Sgt. Benari Poulten 80th Training Command

The 94th Training Division (Force Sustainment) has a proud lineage as a World War II infantry division and a Regional Support Command. The division was originally intended to be headquartered in Puerto Rico, so it's fitting that nearly 100 years later, the 94th TD welcomed Brig. Gen. Hector Lopez, a native of the island, as its new commander. 
 
The only thing warmer than the nearly 100 degree temperature of Fort Lee, Va. on July 23, 2016, was the warm reception Lopez received from the large crowd assembled inside Dodge Hall at the change of command ceremony, as the entire division, as well as the leadership from the 80th Training Command (TASS), greeted the new commander and bid a bittersweet farewell to the outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Steven Ainsworth.   
 
Lopez assumed command of the 94th TD after serving as the Wartime Chief of Staff of the 8th Army, stationed in the Republic of Korea, and occupying a myriad of positions including commander of the 82nd Sustainment Brigade out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In his civilian career, Lopez is the director of logistics management and services for the Defense Media Activity at Fort Meade, Md.  
 
"Never in my wildest dreams as a young man from a small town in Puerto Rico," said an emotional Lopez in his remarks, "could I have conceived that I would be standing here and be blessed with the opportunity to lead such a distinguished organization in the presence of such  distinguished crowd." 
 
Lopez thanked Ainsworth for his steady leadership in transforming the 94th into a premier training division and he expressed excitement at having the chance to continue a legacy of excellence.  
 
The Commanding general of the 80th, Maj. Gen. A. C. Roper, also congratulated Ainsworth for his dedication and commitment while leading the 94th, commending him for a job well done and wishing him well in his future endeavors.
 
"Your leadership, your hard work, and your untiring efforts during your tenure resulted in significant major progress in this division," Roper said. "You were the first commander in this division's history to lead the division in formalizing an operational approach and a strategic plan." 

A volley of canon fire kicked off the event and Ainsworth was presented with a shell casing as a token of gratitude for his leadership during the ceremony, followed by the passing of the colors, as Ainsworth handed off the command colors to Roper, symbolizing his relinquishing of leadership. Roper then passed the colors to Lopez, symbolizing the incoming commanding general's acceptance of his new duties.     

During his remarks, Ainsworth thanked the men and women who make up the division, crediting them with the success of his tenure as commander.  

"Mutual respect and professionalism have allowed us to do some great things," Ainsworth said. "We did it with character and moral purpose.  We've worked together to achieve a lot in a little over two years...it's an honor to have been your commander."

The 94th provides world class training in the career management fields of Ordnance, Transportation, Quartermaster, and Human Resources, ensuring all service members are properly trained, fed, supplied, and maintained.  The 94th provides command and control for four Combat Service Support and one multi-functional Total Army School System Brigades, conducting military job reclassification, senior leadership training, technical component training and additional skill identifier training.