After three years as the commander of the U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Col. Joseph F. McKeon, MD, MPH, MFS, transitioned laboratory command to Col. Dana K. Renta, MD, MPS.

McKeon is now reassigned as commander of the U.S. Army Aeromedical Activity. Maj. Gen. James K. Gilman, commanding General of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Fort Detrick, Md., hosted the ceremony. MRMC Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin B. Stuart, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Anthony G. Crutchfield, and other notable leaders were also in attendance.

In a parting message, McKeon said, 'While I wanted to say thanks to you all, this day is not about me, or any individual. It's a celebration of this unit, its mission, its accomplishments, and most importantly its people. I'm so proud to have been a part of it, and I want to encourage you as you all move into the next chapter.'

McKeon expressed his gratitude to Gilman for this opportunity to command USAARL, and to his wife of 30 years, Jane, and their children, for their love and support throughout his career.

USAARL welcomes its new commander, Renta, a native of Georgia. Renta will join USAARL after serving as the deputy commander of Clinical Services at Lyster Army Health Clinic at Fort Rucker since 2007. Renta is a graduate of Georgia State University, and the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. She has earned many awards over her career to include the Meritorious Service Medal and she is a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit.

When talking about assuming command of USAARL, Renta expressed her gratitude for being considered for the position.

She said, 'I'm extremely humbled and honored to be given this opportunity to lead this great organization forward, continuing to define cutting edge technologies to serve and protect our aviators and Soldiers. And I'm grateful to be standing on the shoulders of those before me, great leaders like Colonel Joe McKeon. I'll continue to move forward with our objectives.'