Fort Riley hosts change of command ceremony for McKannay, Foote

Fort Riley and the 1st Infantry Division bid farewell to its outgoing Garrison Commander, and welcomed a new successor.

A change of command ceremony for the two colonels took place Tuesday. Colonel William McKannay reflected on his time at Fort Riley, which began in 2020.

McKannay says shared experiences over the past two years have been an incredible journey for him. He says from the challenges of the pandemic, to unprecedented weather events, the fort and community overcame those odds.

McKannay is being succeeded by Col. Michael Foote, who says the opportunity to serve in the position is very humbling.

Foote says he is excited to meet people in the community and encourages anyone to come say hello. He adds that he has already met with some of the local entities as well.

IMCOM Readiness Director Brenda Lee McCullough bid farewell to McKannay during the ceremony.

McCullough commended McKannay’s actions during the past two years of his tenure. She highlighted navigating through COVID, such as developing the first COVID academy and setting up mobile vaccine sites.

Foote comes to Fort Riley after serving as Garrison Commander of Fort Greely in Alaska. McKannay’s next assignment is with U.S. Northern Command in Colorado Springs.