Gen. Charles R. Hamilton officially took leadership of the Army Materiel Command today and received his fourth star at command headquarters at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville.

With more than 70,000 military and civilian employees around the world, the command provides troops and supplies allies such as Ukraine equipment they need to fight. It is the major funnel through which America supplies Ukrainian forces fighting Russia today.

Hamilton, who has been posted on the arsenal before, was installed at a full change of command ceremony featuring an Army band, the flags of the command and its sub-commands and dignitaries including area mayors and U.S. Rep. Dale Strong (R-Huntsville). Family members, friends and former comrades also applauded Hamilton as he replaced retiring commander Gen. Edward Daley.

The promotion made Hamilton one of America’s highest-ranking generals, and the audience and dignitaries also reflected the command’s importance. Army Chief of Staff Gen. James C. McConville was the official host and Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth and Army Sgt. Major Michael Grinston, the Army’s highest-ranking enlisted member, were also present.

“Make no mistake, this is a change of command, not a change of direction…,” Hamilton told the audience. “My charter is clear – to build on these accomplishments and with your help ensure that Army Materiel Command continues to deliver precision sustainment and material readiness from the joint strategic support area to the tactical point of contact across the spectrum of conflict now and into the future.”

“Today, our role is as crucial as ever,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton said later that he and his family – “Team Hamilton,” as he called it – are looking forward to being out and visible in the community.

“Team Hamilton is extremely happy to be back here at Redstone,” Hamilton said. “We’re excited. Probably more important, we’re just humbled and grateful for this opportunity to serve again the Army Materiel Command.

“It’s such a great community, the Tennessee Valley Community,” Hamilton told local reporters after the ceremony. “Very resilient workforce, very professional workforce and we’re just looking forward to being a part of that.”

Outgoing commanding general Gen. Edward Daly praised the Materiel Command’s “almost 165,000 warrior sustainers who anticipate, plan, synchronize and deliver readiness at the right time to support integrated deterrence (and) have been extraordinary in what they do.”

Daly quoted former general and President Dwight Eisenhower saying, “You will not find it hard or difficult to prove that battles, campaigns and even wars have been won or lost primarily because of logistics.”

AMC has made a difference, he said. And the command’s ability to support troops is in good hands with Hamilton’s “fantastic and spectacular leadership,” Daly said.

“You’re going to take this command to another level,” Daly said to Hamilton.