CAMP RED CLOUD, South Korea — A high-ranking 2nd Infantry Division official made a passing reference to the menacing shows of armed force by North Korea during a ceremony Thursday marking his departure from the peninsula.

Col. James L. Creighton — whose job included ensuring the 2nd ID’s “fight tonight” readiness — praised the division for “deterring North Korea from doing more than testing [its] capabilities.”

In recent weeks, North Korea has conducted a nuclear test, fired test missiles and attempted to launch what Pyongyang claimed was a satellite — moves widely criticized by countries around the world. The 2nd ID is represented on many of the bases closest to the Demilitarized Zone and North Korea.

Creighton is leaving his position as assistant division commander for support. In that job, according to division spokesman Maj. Vincent Mitchell, he was “responsible for enhancing the division’s combat readiness by tracking logistics and sustainment operations, and maintaining smooth fielding of equipment and systems.”

During Thursday’s ceremony, Maj. Gen. John W. Morgan III, the 2nd ID commander, said Creighton’s job was not a glamorous one, but that he did a good job “behind the scenes” making sure the division had “the beans and the bullets to ‘fight tonight.’ ”

Creighton, who came to the division in October, is moving on to become a strategic planner for Lt. Gen. Stanley A. McChrystal, who will command U.S. Forces in Afghanistan and the International Security Assistance Force in the country.

Replacing Creighton will be Col. Terry R. Ferrell, who formerly served with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga.