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Tobyhanna Army Depot Appoints 32nd Commander

COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP — With an exchange of this flag, Tobyhanna Army Depot in Coolbaugh Township welcomed its newest Commander. Colonel Nathan Swartz is now...

COOLBAUGH TOWNSHIP -- With an exchange of this flag, Tobyhanna Army Depot in Coolbaugh Township welcomed its newest Commander.

Colonel Nathan Swartz is now the Depot's 32nd Commander.

"I feel great. I knew for about a year and a half that I was coming up here. I went through specific training and army studies on Tobyhanna and the operations here so I feel very comfortable coming in day one and it's a great team and taking the tea to the next level," said Colonel Nathan Swartz, Tobyhanna Army Depot Commander.

The Tobyhanna Army Depot is one of the area's largest employers.

About 3,200 people work at the place known for building and repairing military electronics.

The new Commander tells Newswatch 16, his main focus will be to sustain and maintain the Depot's mission.

"Some of the goals we have right now is army readiness. The chief staff of the army's primary mission is to ensure the readiness of our deploying forces and that is what we are going to do here," said Col. Swartz.

Colonel Swartz has held a number of different leadership positions both in the United States and overseas. But during the ceremony, he said serving here at the Depot is very special because of the strong reputation it has here in this area.

"I'm not coming in day one to change how things operate. This place is a legacy and we will built upon that legacy and build army readiness," said Col. Swartz.

The new Commander replaces Colonel Gregory Peterson, who served the Depot for the past two years.

"It's bittersweet because there is great people here and I am going to miss the people. I know Nathan from a previous assignment. We were stationed at Fort Stewart, Georgia together and he is going to do great," said Colonel Gregory Peterson, Tobyhanna Army Depot Former Commander.

"It's been so great. The community has been great and the employees here from the time we pulled into the gate until right now has just been a pure pleasure," said Col. Swartz.

On this new journey, Colonel Swartz bring along his wife, their two children and the newest member of their family, a puppy, conveniently named "Toby."

 

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