FORT RUCKER, Ala. (WDHN) — Brigadier General Michael McCurry II has taken over as the commanding general of the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker. He is taking over for Major General David Francis who served for three years at Fort Rucker.

The flowers were dispersed, the band played, the cannons fired, and Brigadier General Michael McCurry II officially took over as the commanding general during Thursday’s Change of Command ceremony.

“Dream come true experience, Commanding General of Fort Rucker and USAACE, Brigadier General Michael McCurry II said.” “You know, almost 49 years ago I stood in this exact spot and watched my dad fly over in a Huey.”

Brigadier General McCurry II was in the first grade when he was at Fort Rucker watching his dad fly choppers and his wife Sara was also an Enterprise High School graduate, so the McCurry’s are just glad to be back in the Wiregrass.

“This is a dream come true,” Brigadier General McCurry II said. “It’s a job you would choose you would choose to come to lead the aviation force, lead the aviation force into the future, and take care of soldiers and families.”

“You get a third year out of the center of excellence because you are the right person for the right job at the right time,” Combined Arms Center Commanding General, Lieutenant General Theodore Martin said.

Major General David Francis served as the commanding general for three years, including during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I thank God for the opportunity to serve and ask that he bless each and every one of you, your families our soldiers deployed around the world, and this great nation,” Outgoing Fort Rucker and USAACE Commander General, Major General David Francis said. “Thank you all. Above the best.”

This is the fourth time that Brigadier General McCurry II has taken over for Major General Francis.

Major General Francis will now travel to Germany with his family to serve as a director for J-3 Operations/Cyber, for the U.S. Africa command.

Brigadier General McCurry II says that they are excited to take over and ready to pour into the troops and the Wiregrass.