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New commander takes post at Yuma Test Center at Yuma Proving Ground

Lt. Col. Shane Dering, center, takes command of the Yuma Test Center at the Yuma Proving Ground on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Outgoing YTC Commander Lt. Col. Alicia Johnson is across from Dering. On the left is YPG Commander Col. Patrick McFall.
Brandon Mejia/Yuma Proving Ground
Lt. Col. Shane Dering, center, takes command of the Yuma Test Center at the Yuma Proving Ground on Thursday, June 2, 2022. Outgoing YTC Commander Lt. Col. Alicia Johnson is across from Dering. On the left is YPG Commander Col. Patrick McFall.

A new commander took his post Thursday at the Yuma Proving Ground’s Yuma Test Center.

Lt. Col. Shane Dering took over testing capabilities at YPG. He takes over for outgoing Commander Lt Col. Alicia Johnson, who was in the position since June 2019.

Dering said he is honored to lead and serve the mission of the test center.

“As the Army modernizes and comes up with new technology and equipment, we’re pretty much the premier test center for all the new equipment over the next five to 10 years,” Dering told KAWC.

Meanwhile, Johnson, who was the third woman to lead the YTC, moves on to her next assignment at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. She led the workforce through the COVID pandemic without stopping testing and has been selected to be promoted to colonel.

Victor is originally from West Sacramento, California and has lived in Arizona for more than five years. He began his print journalism career in 2004 following his graduation from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. Victor has been a reporter for the following daily newspapers: The Monterey County Herald, The Salinas Californian and the Reno Gazette-Journal, where he covered stories including agriculture, education and Latino community news. Victor has also served as a local editor for Patch, a national news organization with hyperlocal websites, in Carmichael, California in the Sacramento area. He also served as the editor for The New Vision, the newspaper for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tucson, which includes Yuma and La Paz counties. Victor lives in Somerton. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends and following most sports.
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