Air Force Lt. Gen. Garry R. Trexler, right, and U.N. Honor Guard company commander Capt. Brett Wiersma inspect the troops during a farewell ceremony for Trexler on Thursday at Yongsan Garrison, South Korea. Trexler is retiring after 35 years of service. (T.D. Flack / S&S)
Air Force Lt. Gen. Garry R. Trexler, right, and U.N. Honor Guard company commander Capt. Brett Wiersma inspect the troops during a farewell ceremony for Trexler on Thursday at Yongsan Garrison, South Korea. Trexler is retiring after 35 years of service. (T.D. Flack / S&S)
Members of the 2nd Infantry Division's salute battery honor Air Force Lt. Col. Garry R. Trexler during the honor guard ceremony Thursday at Yongsan Garrison. (T.D. Flack / S&S)
Members of the United Nations honor guard stand at attention during the farewell ceremony for U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Garry R. Trexler. (T.D. Flack / S&S)
YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea — Hundreds gathered on Knight Field on Thursday afternoon to bid farewell to the deputy commander of the United Nations Command and U.S. Forces Korea.
Air Force Lt. Gen. Garry R. Trexler is retiring after 35 years of service. He’s spent the past three years in South Korea, also as the commander of the Air Component Command for U.S. Air Forces Korea and commander of the 7th United States Air Force.
During his speech, Trexler said he remembered standing on the same field on a chilly December morning when he took over the position in 2003, “somber and humbled” by his new responsibilities.
He said he’s witnessed much change — in the U.S.-South Korea alliance, in the combined command’s capabilities and even in North Korea — since assuming his duties.
Many of the changes have made the alliance stronger, he said, adding that “the future will be no different.”
The senior U.S. leader in South Korea, U.S. Army Gen. B.B. Bell, told attendees Trexler has been a superb leader.
He “blazed the trail for us,” Bell said.
Trexler is to be replaced by Lt. Gen. Stephen G. Wood.
