KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — Army Brig. Gen. Ronald Ragin assumed command Wednesday of the largest American overseas sustainment command, which continues to be crucial to moving weapons and equipment into Ukraine.
The son of a sergeant major, Ragin has a name phonetically the same as former President Ronald Reagan. He replaces Maj. Gen. James Smith, who was at the helm of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command for two years.
During Smith’s time in charge, the command went into overdrive because of Russia’s Feb. 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine, officials said.
A week after the invasion, soldiers with the 3rd Infantry Division deployed to Europe and were prepared for any potential spillover into NATO territory because of weapons and equipment managed by the 21st TSC.
U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander Gen. Darryl Williams is flanked by the outgoing commander of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, Maj. Gen. James Smith, left, and the incoming commander, Brig. Gen. Ronald Ragin, as they march off the field in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
In the ensuing months, the command has moved hundreds of armored vehicles, thousands of utility vehicles and millions of rounds of ammunition across the Continent to Ukraine, part of the tens of billions of dollars in security assistance the U.S. has provided.
The 21st TSC began using ports in Denmark and Montenegro and expanded transportation options by rail and inland waterway during Smith’s leadership.
Ragin, who has a doctorate in public policy from Walden University and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Naval War College, comes to the post from Security Assistance Group-Ukraine.
He served as deputy commanding general for support in the organization established last year in Wiesbaden, Germany, to ensure that the U.S. is postured to continue supporting Ukraine over the long term.
“I look forward to providing you great leadership … and really picking up the ball where Team Smith left off and continue to press forward,” Ragin said Wednesday at a change of command ceremony at Daenner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern.
21st Theater Sustainment Command soldiers salute during the national anthems of the U.S. and Germany at a change of command ceremony at Daenner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The 21st Theater Sustainment Command color guard and units of the command, on Daenner Kaserne’s NCO Field during a change of command ceremony in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Soldiers present unit colors at the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s change of command ceremony at Daenner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Brig. Gen. Ronald Ragin took command from Maj. Gen. James Smith at the ceremony. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
Gen. Darryl Williams, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, said he expects the innovation to continue under Ragin’s leadership in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
“You’re going to have to do a little bit more because this is just beginning,” Williams told troops who attended Wednesday’s ceremony. “I think we’re in a long campaign here.”
Smith will become a deputy director at the Department of the Army headquarters specializing in logistics. He said Russia’s invasion had tested the limits of the command, but he described the unity he witnessed as a silver lining.
The 21st TSC’s efforts “supported a broader picture, a bigger objective: deterring Russian aggression,” Smith said.
Before relinquishing command, Smith was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal on behalf of President Joe Biden. Smith’s wife, Catrina, was also awarded a Meritorious Public Service Medal for her community work over the past two years.
Soldiers of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command pass in review at the end of the unit’s change of command ceremony at Daenner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany, on Wednesday, June 7, 2023. Brig. Gen. Ronald Ragin took command from Maj. Gen. James Smith at the ceremony. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
The U.S. Army Europe and Africa Band’s brass quintet provided the music at the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s change of command ceremony at Daenner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Wednesday, June 7, 2023. (Michael Abrams/Stars and Stripes)
