WEST FORT HOOD, Texas — The U.S. Army Operational Test Command will hold a change of command ceremony at its headquarters here Thursday at 8:30 a.m.

Brig. Gen. William “Hank” Taylor will become USAOTC’s 28th commander, replacing Brig. Gen. John C. Ulrich, who has commanded the unit since July 12, 2016.

Ulrich will move on to become the Director, Force Development, Army G8 at the Pentagon.

Maj. Gen. Joel K. Tyler, commander of USAOTC’s higher headquarters, the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, will preside over the ceremony.

Taylor most recently served as the Deputy Commanding General for Maneuver at the storied 1st Cavalry Division.

He began his career as an enlisted Soldier in the Field Artillery during 1988, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Infantry during 1990, and in 1991, he attended the Aviation Officer Basic Course and Flight School.

He commanded a Cavalry Troop with the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea; the 2nd Squadron (Air), 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division (AASLT); and the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade in Korea.

He has served four operational assignments in Afghanistan and two in Iraq.

Media representatives interested in covering the event should contact Michael Novogradac, USAOTC’s public affairs officer, at 254-288-9110, or email: [email protected] no later than 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Both Ulrich and Taylor will be available following the ceremony for media interviews.

Media should arrive at the West Fort Hood gate at Clarke Road and Highway 190 Thursday at 7:45 a.m., to be escorted to the event.

As the Army’s only independent operational tester, USAOTC tests Army, joint, and multi-service warfighting systems in realistic operational environments, using typical Soldiers to determine whether the systems are effective, suitable, and survivable. USAOTC is required by public law to test major systems before they are fielded to its ultimate customer — the American Soldier.