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COLUMBIA (WACH) -- A change of command ceremony took place Sunday afternoon for the 59^th Troop Command of the South Carolina Army National Guard at Airport High School.

Outgoing brigade commander, Brigadier General Ronald Huff, handing over control of the troop to Colonel Van McCarty.

The ceremony taking place on the 10^th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

Huff retired after 40 years of service, which included four years of service as commander of the 59^th Troop Command.

Huff first enlisted in 1971 and earned his commission in 1978 through the Palmetto Military Academy.

For McCarty, although he is the new commander of the brigade, he is very familiar with the 59th Troop Command.

“I’m a field soldier by nature and have spent most of my career in the field with soldiers. So I intend on being where they are and learn about what they do. I hope there is not a day that goes by that I don’t learn,” says Col. Van McCarty.

McCarty was commissioned as a Field Artillery officer in 1982 after graduating from The Citadel with a Bachelor of Science degree.

He has served previously as Fire Support Team Chief and Battery Executive Officer with the 1st Battalion, 35th Field Artillery, Brigade Operations Officer with the 151st Field Artillery Brigade and Brigade Deputy Commander at the 59th Troop Command.