WEST FORT HOOD, Texas — The media event scheduled for 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2021 to celebrate promoting the commander of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command to brigadier general is cancelled.

To escape possible inclement weather, the ceremony is moved to a small space indoors conducive to only family, friends, and unit members.

The OTC Public Affairs Office will send out a news release, photo and B-roll video of the event soon after the ceremony.

OTC thanks news media responding already for its continued support of the Army, Fort Hood, Texas, and OTC’s operational testing mission.

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WEST FORT HOOD, Texas — Col. David W. Gardner, commander of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, will be promoted to brigadier general at its headquarters here Wednesday, June 23, at 9:00 a.m.

Gardner took the reins of OTC July 30, 2020 as the unit’s 30th commander.

Media wanting to cover the event should contact the Operational Test Command Public Affairs Office, at (254) 449-3686, or email: [email protected], no later than 2 p.m. Tuesday.

A public affairs escort will meet media at the West Fort Hood Clarke Road gate (south side) at 8:15 a.m., June 23.

Gardner’s biography is available at: https://www.atec.army.mil/otc/leaders/leaders_cdr.html

OTC enlists the “Total Army” (Active, National Guard, and Reserve) when testing Army, joint, and multi-service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments, using typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. OTC is required by public law to test major systems before they are fielded to its ultimate customer — the American Soldier.