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US NATO Brigade presides over AFNORTH Battalion change of command on USAG Schinnen Netherlands

June 16, 2011

By Tom Budzyna

SCHINNEN, Netherlands -- U.S. Army Col. BJ Constantine, U.S. NATO Brigade Commander, passes the AFNORTH Battalion Colors to Lt. Col. Donald Stoner, III, in a Change of Command Ceremony held on U.S. Army Garrison Schinnen, Netherlands, where Lt. Col. Marvin G. Vannatter, Jr., relinquished command June 16, 2011.

AFNORTH Battalion exercises command and control, provides human resources, finance, legal, religious, and logistic support and services, and prepares Soldiers in support of NATO throughout the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, France and Norway. AFNORTH Battalion also coordinates force protection and quality of life for Soldiers, civilians, and Family members.

Lt. Col. Vannatter received a Meritorious Service Medal for his successful command of the AFNORTH Battalion since June 2009 and will now attend the Naval War College. His wife received a Commander's Award for Public Service for her role as the AFNORTH International School Liaison Officer and for supporting Family Readiness Groups and many tri-border community efforts. The Vannatters will be missed by the tri-border community.

Lt. Col. Stoner, who has experience in Iraq, most recently served in Kansas as a Professor of Military Science at the Pittsburg State University. He is accompanied by his wife and two children.