FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The new Joint Task Force Civil Support (JTF-CS) Commanding General, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Bill Hall, returned to the place of his birth in a formal ceremony June 29, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Seay Plaza.
“Fifty-one years and 29 days ago today, my father, Brig. Gen. Hugh Hall, returned from service in Vietnam and was stationed at Ft. Eustis,” Maj. Gen. Hall said. “I was born at what was then McDonald Army Hospital, what you now know as the health center, so I am forever linked to Ft. Eustis. Mom and Dad, could you have imagined 51 years ago that you would be sitting here at my change of command?
“I will continue to build on the lines of effort established by Rich (Gallant) of responsiveness, readiness and new relationships,” he said. “This will be coupled with an emphasis on unity of command, we will continue on the glide path passed on to us. This is only the second job in 31 years of service that I’ve asked for.”
Maj. Gen. Hall comes to JTF-CS from an assignment as special assistant to the Director, Army National Guard (DARNG) for Logistics, Acquisition, Installation and Environment in Arlington, Va. He has been leading warriors at every echelon from platoon to 1-Star Command in Armor, Recruiting, and CBRN units. He has served on Title 10 and Title 32 with the Texas National Guard, the Arizona Army National Guard, the National Guard Bureau and the United States European Command (USEUCOM).
Maj. Gen. Hall assumed command from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Richard Gallant, who led JTF-CS, the nation’s only standing chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear response task force, for two years. U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, commander, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), presided over the ceremony. The San Antonio-based ARNORTH is the higher headquarters for JTF-CS.
During the change of command ceremony, Buchanan focused his comments on the core values in each of the services, discussing the courage of Maj. Gen. Hall, the incoming commander. “The important Marines’ core value when I think of Bill is courage. I’m not talking about the physical aspect of courage as most important in this particular context. It’s really about moral courage. It’s about standing up for what he believes is right and refusing to compromise those values. Because of that sense of courage our service with Bill will make all of our organizations that much better,” the general said.
In honoring Maj. Gen. Gallant, the outgoing commander, Buchanan focused on service core values like the Air Force’s excellence and the Army’s loyalty as relevant to JTF-CS and its members. “When I think about the Navy and its core values, it’s really all about commitment. This organization is ready to go every single day and every single night and it doesn’t matter what the conditions,” Buchanan said. “There is an unbreakable commitment that helps to keep us all straight.”
JTF-CS said goodbye to Gallant, who ensured the unit became faster, lighter, more interoperable, and more capable during his tenure.
“This is a bittersweet moment for Carol and me and Michelle,” Maj. Gen. Gallant said. “The past two years, while much too short, have easily been the best part of our active-duty career and quite possibly the best command experience we have ever enjoyed. You (JTF-CS members) know that any of the accomplishments in the award citation are not mine; they’re ours. I’m sure that we are ready to respond whenever and wherever needed.
“I appreciate the depth of the commitment and passion for the mission that surges through every member of the command,” he continued, thanking his JTF-CS family. “Thank you for all your support, your sacrifice, your professional service, and your willingness to do what so very few are willing to do. Because of you, I will remain Ever Vigilant and Always Ready.”
JTF-CS BACKGROUND
The unit is always ready to deploy within 24 hours. If called upon, JTF-CS provides command and control of 5,200 federal military forces located at more than 36 locations throughout the nation acting in support of civil authority response operations.
JTF-CS is located in Mullan Hall, Joint Base Langley Eustis, and is comprised of active duty, Reserve, National Guard and civilian members from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. These federal military forces offer various life-saving military assets such as search and rescue and emergency medical capabilities.