East Tennessee native assumes command of Pacific Army Reserve

Courtesy Photo | Brig. Gen. Michele Compton, outgoing commander of the 9th Mission Support Command, inspects the command for a final time along with Maj. Gen. William G. Beard, deputy commanding general for United States Army Reserve, United States Army Pacific, and Col. John E. Cardwell, incoming commander of the 9th Mission Support Command, during a change of command ceremony, here, Jan. 12. Cardwell, a native of Loudon, Tenn., will command approximately 3,500 soldiers and civilians that proudly serve in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, South Korea, and Japan. This geographical region encompasses nearly 52 percent of the globe.  

HONOLULU, HI, UNITED STATES

01.12.2013

Story by Sgt. Elizabeth Cole 

9th Mission Support Command

By Brian Melanephy
9th Mission Support Command

FORT SHAFTER FLATS, Hawaii – Approximately 300 friends, family members, soldiers and guests attended the 9th Mission Support Command change of command ceremony here Saturday, Jan. 12.

During the ceremony Pacific Army Reserve unit representatives from the 9th MSC’s 10 major subordinate units stood proudly in formation as command passed from the outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Michelle G. Compton to the incoming acting commander, Col. John E. Cardwell.

Maj. Gen. William G. Beard, Deputy Commanding General for United States Army Reserve, United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) presided over the ceremony.

Compton leaves after 31 months of service to the 9th MSC and the Pacific Region.

Cardwell, a native of Loudon, Tenn., comes to Hawaii from the 84th Training Command, Fort Knox, Ky. where he served as the chief of staff.

The 9th MSC has approximately 3,500 soldiers and civilians that proudly serve in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Saipan, American Samoa, Korea, and Japan. This geographical region encompasses nearly 52 percent of the globe.

The 9th MSC is a truly unique Army Reserve organization. It has the only infantry battalion, the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry in the Army Reserve and the 548th Transportation Detachment. The 548th is a detachment of Army ‘mariners’, who man and sail the Logistical Support Vehicle (LSV-7) Staff Sgt. Robert T. Kuroda.

The LSV-7 is named in honor of Robert Toshio Kuroda who posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his actions in WWII. The LSV-7 has steamed over 25,000 Nautical Miles.

The 9th MSC supports USARPAC by undertaking numerous roles including annual Theater Security Cooperation Program exercises in Malaysia and Indonesia and a role in USARPAC's Joint Task Force Homeland Defense operations.

The 9th Mission Support Command is a U.S. Army Reserve command assigned to U.S. Army, Pacific. Its major subordinate units include the 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade, 3rd Mobilization Support Group, 1984th US Army Hospital, United States Army Reserve-Theater Support Group, 4960th Multi-functional Training Brigade, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, the 411th Engineer Battalion, and the 658th Regional Support Group. With units located in the Hawaiian Islands, Guam, Saipan, Alaska, American Samoa, Japan and Korea. The 9th MSC truly embodies the spirit of their motto, “Pride of the Pacific!” For more information contact Brian Melanephy at [phone] ext. 3114, [phone], or at [e-mail].

• Date Taken: 01.12.2013
• Date Posted: 01.12.2013 23:01
• Story ID: 100300
• Location: HONOLULU, HI, US