YPG’s Test Center gets new leader
Lt. Col. Timothy Matthew replaces commander Lt. Col. James DeBoer
After three years in charge of the Yuma Test Center (YTC) at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground, Lt. Col. James DeBoer turned over the reins of command to his successor Thursday morning, during a change-of-command ceremony held on the grounds in front of the installation’s Army Heritage Center Military Museum.
Addressing a small audience of military leaders, YTC and YPG employees, family, friends, and wellwishers, Col. Randy Murray, who presided over the ceremony, congratulated DeBoer for a job well-done, and thanked him for his untiring efforts the past 36 months.
“Jim, you are one of the finest officers and leaders I’ve worked with in my 27year career,” Murray said. “Your contributions will have a lasting effect on the YTC, and have set the path for a successful future.”
Under DeBoer’s command, the test center’s
team of 1,300 military, civilian and contract employees safely and successfully executed more than 500 developmental, production and acceptance tests, which resulted in more than 5.4 million labor hours.
Also under his tenure, employees flew over 25,000 sorties, fired over 3.8 million artillery rounds, made over 150,000 air drops, and drove more than 489,000 test miles in wheeled and tracked vehicles, all the while reducing the number of accidents by 12 percent.
“What you have accomplished as the YTC commander is extraordinary,” Murray said. “The accomplishments made by the YTC are a direct reflection of your ability to lead the workforce to always get the job done.”
Calling it a critical moment, Murray also spoke about an unexpected issue DeBoer had to deal with early in his tenure as commander of the test center.
Murray said that in December 2014, after a problem was discovered with the barrel of the M2A4 Howitzer, one which rendered 90 percent of the artillery pieces unusable, including those deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army tasked YPG with rapidly conducting firing tests to validate the repairs that were made were safe.
“YTC employees fired over 3,300 artillery rounds in 11 days over the Christmas holiday to get the Howitzer back,” Murray said.
As part of the ceremony DeBoer, after receiving them from Sgt. Maj. Christopher Prosser, passed the organizational colors to Murray to signify the successful completion of his command.
Murray in turn then passed the colors to Lt. Col. Timothy Matthews, the incoming commander, charging him with the responsibility for the unit as its new leader, who then returned it to Prosser as his first official act of command.
Bouquets of flowers were also presented to DeBoer’s wife and two young daughters and he received a Meritorious Service Medal.
In his farewell remarks, DeBoer said it had been an honor to have been in command of the test center and praised the workforce for their efforts in support of the nation’s armed services.
“You cannot ask for a better group of soldiers and civilians to work with,” DeBoer said. “The men and women at the test center are a group of people who do amazing things every single day. This command will be one of my finest memories in the Army.”
He continued, “YTC is an amazing team of mission-oriented testers who are dedicated to getting to our soldier, airmen — Marines and sailors — the right weapons that are safe to use and are effective in combat.”
In addition to congratulating Matthews on his new command at what is the Army’s busiest test center, DeBoer also had a special message for him.
“You are going to have an amazing adventure over the next three years,” DeBoer said. “You are a great leader with an exceptional reputation. I know I’m leaving YTC in excellent hands. Best of luck in your command.”
Matthews, who arrived at YPG two weeks ago, said he has spent that time touring the installation and trying to meet as many people in the workforce as he could.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the next YTC commander. Me and my wife Martrell are totally excited to be here,” Matthews said. “From Day 1, I have been well received. The first day I arrived I shook between 200 and 300 hands and spoke to each person I met.”
DeBoer’s next assignment will be at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy in Washington, D.C., while Matthews comes to YPG from the Headquarters Defense Information System Agency in Fort Meade, Md.