Photo By Spc. Andrew Oeffinger | In this image released by the Texas Military Forces, soldiers and airmen with Joint...... read more read more
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Soldiers and airmen of the Texas Military Forces once again proved their ability to overcome challenges by becoming the 3rd certified Homeland Response Force in the nation, less than one year after notification of its nomination by the Department of Defense.
Army Col. William Hall, Joint Task Force 71 commander, led more than 500 men and women through a National Guard Bureau External Evaluation Oct. 13, in Bryan-College Station, Texas. This evaluation the final step toward JTF-71 becoming a fully functioning and certified HRF after months of training and countless hours spent completing FEMA training courses.
The Department of Defense chose Texas as the host state of the 3rd of 10 HRFs nationwide, assigning JTF-71 to assist emergency responders in FEMA Region VI in the event of a natural disaster or domestic terrorist attack. This region includes Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.
Hall used his time in command to develop robust relationships with other military forces and state agencies within the region, including the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality and Environmental Protection Agency.
"JTF-71 has set the pace and conditions for all other HRFs to follow," said Hall.
"We are a core member of a multi-state, multi-agency resource that can come together and respond to an incident as a team."
Hall began the journey to this HRF certification when he answered the call to lead the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Task Force from former Adjutant General of Texas Maj. Gen. Jose Mayorga, Dec. 24, 2009.
Hall chose to close out his tenure at the end of the evaluation week, handing over command to Army Col. Lee Schnell, the chief of staff for Joint Task Force 71.
Hall affirmed his confidence in Schnell's ability to lead JTF-71 into the future as friends, family members, and dignitaries came out to observe the change of command ceremony.
“I wouldn’t want to give this command to anyone but Schnell,” said Hall. “He came in as the chief of staff and he adopted and shared the vision of this organization. I believe completely that he has the energy needed to take this organization to the next level.
Once Hall completed his remarks, Schnell took the opportunity to express his appreciation to Hall and the soldiers and airmen standing before him for the sometimes thankless tasks they continued to successfully complete time and time again.
"Being the chief of staff for this organization has been the most challenging and rewarding position I have ever held,” said Schnell. “Col. Hall has built a quality, adaptable and agile organization, and I'm thrilled that I get to take it to another level. The challenges we face now are to sustain and grow our readiness, professional capabilities, continue to develop our relationship building and to allow our soldiers and airmen to continue honing their skills.”
| Date Taken: | 10.02.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.16.2011 10:48 |
| Story ID: | 78560 |
| Location: | BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Change of command, not a change of heart for FEMA Region VI Homeland Response Force, by SPC Andrew Oeffinger, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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