Way ahead

Group gathers, shares ideas for way ahead on vision, objectives

Story by Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson, ARNORTH PAO
March 30, 2012

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson, Army North PAO

MARBLE FALLS, Texas — U.S. Army North leaders from throughout the United States met in Marble Falls March 19-21 to discuss the future of homeland defense, civil support and theater security cooperation. Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, commanding general of U.S. Army North and senior commander of Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, met with key leaders from Joint Task Force – Civil Support, Fort Eustis, Va.; Joint Task Force – North, Fort Bliss, Texas; 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, Kentucky National Guard; 167th Theater Sustainment Command, Alabama National Guard; 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, South Carolina National Guard; 412th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Sam Houston; Army North’s Defense Coordinating Officers from the ten Federal Emergency Management Agency regions; and Army North’s Joint Task Force 51.

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – U.S. Army North leaders from across the United States met in Marble Falls March 19-21 to discuss the future of homeland defense, civil support and theater security cooperation.

Lt. Gen. William Caldwell, commanding general of U.S. Army North and senior commander of Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis, hosted the event that featured key leaders from Joint Task Force – Civil Support, Fort Eustis, Va.; Joint Task Force – North, Fort Bliss, Texas; 63rd Theater Aviation Brigade, Kentucky National Guard; 167th Theater Sustainment Command, Alabama National Guard; 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, South Carolina National Guard; 412th Contracting Support Brigade, Fort Sam Houston; Army North’s Defense Coordinating Officers from the ten Federal Emergency Management Agency regions; and Army North’s Joint Task Force 51.

Caldwell, who recently met with Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., commander, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, and other senior leaders in the Department of Defense, outlined his vision, mission and priorities at the conference and said he was seeking input from the attendees.

“Where do we want to be in the next two to three years?” Caldwell asked. “We want everybody to come together because each of you brings a unique perspective. I want you to feel comfortable talking to everyone in this room. I fully recognize that this is a team effort.”

During “break-out” sessions, leaders discussed strategic objectives in: theater security cooperation; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response enterprise; informing and educating partner agencies and the American public on Army North’s role, mission and capabilities; expanding partnerships; and in anticipating the possibility of operating in a fiscally-constrained environment.

U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Keith Anderson, Army North PAO

The conference provided the leaders an opportunity to work together and share their insights and ideas on how to address challenges and make recommendations.

“It’s a great opportunity for the commanding general, senior enlisted leaders and staff members to discuss important issues, both current and future, and to look to the best way to resolve challenges in CBRN, theater security cooperation and homeland defense,” said Command Master Chief Glenn Hopkins, senior enlisted leader, JTF-CS.

Caldwell told attendees that Army North’s goal is to provide support to the lead federal agents as they provide support to American citizens and local agencies – not to run operations.

“Instead of ‘C2’ (command and control), I believe in ‘C3’ – coordinate, collaborate and cooperate,” Caldwell said. “I fully recognize that this is a team effort. We really have to be integrated with our federal partners, the state, the National Guard, the National Guard Bureau, the Army Reserves, and local and tribal leaders.”

The offsite also provided the leaders an excellent opportunity to synchronize their efforts.

“It was a way for us all to get on the same sheet of music – good team-building,” said Col. Timothy Williams, Region III Defense Coordinating Officer, Philadelphia. “It was a chance to see the commanding general’s vision and priorities. We can take the commander’s intent and run with it.”