Nevada National Guard holds change of command ceremony

Brig. Gen. William Burks relinquished command of the Nevada National Guard to Brig. Gen. Ondra Berry during a ceremony at the Nevada Air National Guard Base on Saturday. Berry is a 32-year veteran of the Nevada National Guard and the first African American adjutant general in the state’s 154-year history.

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Transcript

[Garrett] Brigadier General Onda Berry assumed command of the Nevada Air National Guard as the state adjutant general during an assumption of command ceremony today, 7 September, 2019. The ceremony took place in the 152nd Airlift Wing fuel cell hangar, Nevada Air Guard Base, during the wing’s September drill. As adjutant general, Berry will oversee more than 4,400 Soldiers and Airmen in the Nevada Guard.

I want to acknowledge the Soldiers, and Airmen, and civilians of our Nevada National Guard. I believe, without a doubt they’re the finest in the nation.

[Garrett] General Berry is a 32-year veteran of the Nevada Air National Guard, beginning his career in 1986 as an Airmen in the enlisted ranks. Berry worked his way up to the rank of staff sergeant before commissioning in 1990. In his most recent military role, Berry served as the assistant adjutant general, Nevada Air National Guard. He is the first African-American to hold the position in the state’s 154-year history.

As long as you keep a great attitude about the assignments, and what’s thrown at you, and what you’ve worked hard for, and the sacrifice that you make, it will pay off. It’s not hard to excel when you have a commitment to excellence.

[Garrett] Berry is replacing retiring Brigadier General William Burks. Burks was appointed adjutant general in 2009 and is the sixth longest tenured adjutant general in the Nevada’s history.

I can’t be happier to have served the last 10 years on the Governor’s Cabinet as being the adjutant general for the state of Nevada, and really, to the people because they’re the ones that made all the magic happen. Even though a lot of times I get the credit, they’re the ones that made the magic happen. It was all about the people, always.

[Garrett] Many distinguished guests were in attendance of the ceremony, including Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak, Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto, Congressman Mark Amodei, Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve, Sparks Mayor Ron Smith, and representatives from the Fiji and Tonga military, as partners of the Nevada National Guard’s State Partnership Program, among others.

The enthusiasm that General Berry has is absolutely incredible. I mean, his commitment, you saw in the speech that he gave, he can fire up anybody. It’s exciting to be part of that.

[Garrett] For the 152nd Airlift Wing Public Affairs, I’m Technical Sergeant Garrett Wake.

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