Homeland defense expert will assume command of Fort Eustis, Va.-based Joint Task Force Civil Support

Story by CPT Dianna Pegeuese, JTFCS PAO
July 3, 2012

FORT EUSTIS, Va. – A Pentagon-based homeland defense expert takes command of the nation’s only standing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response task force in a formal military ceremony July 11, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Seay Plaza here.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jeff W. Mathis III assumes command of Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS), replacing U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Jonathan T. Treacy during a change of command ceremony. U.S. Army Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, commanding general, U.S. Army North, will preside over the ceremony. The Fort Sam Houston, Texas-based U.S. Army North is the higher headquarters for JTF-CS.

“It has been an honor and privilege to serve with the men and women charged with this unique homeland mission,” said Treacy, who took command of JTF-CS in July 2010. While at JTF-CS Treacy transformed the command into a more agile, responsive headquarters capable of responding faster in order to save lives, provide critical support and enable community recovery following a catastrophic domestic chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear event.

Mathis comes to JTF-CS from an assignment as deputy director for Antiterrorism and Homeland Defense, J34, Joint Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. His Pentagon duties include serving as primary advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for all matters relating to antiterrorism, force protection, homeland defense and defense support to civil authorities. Mathis directs the efforts of three divisions and leads more than 65 hand-picked Joint Staff officers, non-commissioned officers and civilians in the planning and support of worldwide antiterrorism and force protection measures.

JTF-CS is the only standing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response joint task force in the U.S. Housed in the newly named Mullan Hall, Joint Base Langley Eustis, JTF-CS is comprised of active duty, Reserve, National Guard and Civilian members from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, as well as contractor personnel. If called upon, JTF-CS provides command and control of 5,200 federal military forces located at more than 36 locations throughout the U.S. Designed to provide a life-saving capability within 24 hours of notification, these federal military forces offer various life-saving military assets such as search and rescue and emergency medical capabilities.

Media wishing to cover the change of command ceremony may contact the JTF-CS Public Affairs office CPT Dianna Pegeuese, 757-501-7855, or Dr. Mike Brown, (757) 501-7851 or (757) 232-5528. Email may be sent to: jtfcs_pao@jtfcs.northcom.mil

Media unable to attend the ceremony but interested in receiving high-resolution imagery and/or a news article on this event should email JTF-CS Public Affairs at: jtfcs_pao@jtfcs.northcom.mil or call either person listed above.