Third Army changes command at Fort McPherson

Metro Atlanta

Photos: A new commander, Gen. Vincent Brooks took over the Third Army on Friday as Gen. William Webster retires and the unit packed up to move from Fort McPherson to Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

A new commander, Maj. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks (right), prepares to take over the Third Army on Friday at Fort McPherson in Atlanta as Lt. Gen. William Webster (center) prepares to retire and the base prepares to close. Vincent was promoted to lieutenant general during the change of command ceremony.

The Third Army salutes during the change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson Friday morning in Atlanta, Ga., June 3, 2011.

A cannon salute honors retiring Lt. Gen. William Webster during the change of command ceremony at Fort McPherson Friday morning in Atlanta.

President Barack Obama's nominee for chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, Gen. Martin Dempsey (second from left, standing), rides in a humvee at the ceremony.

The closing of Fort McPherson is part of the military's massive reorganization. Here, retiring Lt. Gen. William Webster (center) salutes troops next to U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey (left) and Lt. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks (upper right).

Retiring Lt. Gen. William Webster (center) salutes Brigadier Gen. David J. Bishop.

The Third Army/U.S. Army Central Command has operated out of McPherson for 50 years but now is moving to South Carolina as part of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure decision.

A soldier with the Salute Battery runs a ceremonial shell to retiring Lt. Gen. William Webster (not pictured) after the battery performed a rendering of honors.

U.S. Army Chief of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey, center, addresses the crowd during the Change of Command Ceremony.

Drum major Staff Sgt. Mark Goodier leads the Soldiers of the U.S. Army Ground Forces Band.

Retiring Lt. Gen. William Webster, left, laughs with his wife Kimberly.

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A new commander, Maj. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks (right), prepares to take over the Third Army on Friday at Fort McPherson in Atlanta as Lt. Gen. William Webster (center) prepares to retire and the base prepares to close. Vincent was promoted to lieutenant general during the change of command ceremony.

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