Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Gen. Ronald P. Clark, right, the commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific,...... read more read more
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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii — Major General Gavin Gardner, the commanding general for the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Frederick Crist during a change of command ceremony on Hamilton Field, Schofield Barracks, on August 12, 2026.
Gardner assumed command in June 2024 after serving as the Director for Logistics and Engineering for U.S. Pacific Command. Throughout his tenure, he prioritized a joint approach to sustainment, experimentation during Operation Pathways, and advocating for the Joint Theater Distribution Centers to revolutionize sustainment by incorporating both inter- and intra-theater capabilities for the joint force.
“Our 8th Theater Sustainment Command provides that sustainment spectacularly, said Gen. Ronald P. Clark, the Commanding General of U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC). Across the most consequential region on earth, in one of the most critical times in our nation’s history, they’ve done that flawlessly under the leadership of Major General Gavin Gardner.”
Clark emphasized the magnitude of responsibility that Gardner presided over during his time leading the 8th TSC, “Under his leadership, the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, the Army’s theater enabling command, that provides sustainment to 400,000 soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and civilians in this theater, across the joint force," Clark said. “ You [Gardner] have enhanced readiness with Army preposition stocks and the Pacific equipment sets, and you [Gardner] have set the standard in the establishment of the joint theater distribution centers.”
Clark ensured to highlight Gardner’s impact on the joint operational environment. Thanking him and his support system, his wife, Lisa, for all their dedication and selfless service in support of her Soldier. “You have campaigned forward through Operations Pathways and the joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center, and your operations activities and investments with the Joint Force, Allies, and partners endure, “ said Clark. “ In short, Gavin Gardner’s a winner.”
Following Clark, Gardner emphasized the strength, grit, and readiness of the 8th TSC. “All right, ultimately, this is about prevailing,” Gardner said, “And I assure you, with the teammates out of here on the field, we are ready. We are in the right place, and as the CG [Clark] talked about, teammates are for today.
Closing his speech, Gardner gave words of encouragement to the incoming commander. “Fred, in closing,” Gardner said. “You are the right leader. You, Angela, Chamberlain, Charlotte. I’m ready to see what you guys do moving forward.”
Crist kept his speech brief, thanking God for his grace and the many people who supported him over his 32 years of service. “To the soldiers and the civilians of the 8th Theater Sustainment Command, I am truly grateful to join this winning team,” Crist said. You are the theater's sustainment command. When leaders think about setting the theater to enable the joint force to campaign, deter, fight, and then win, they count on us.”
Crist addresses General Clark, ensuring his dedication to his mission. “Your vision is clear. I understand your intent, and I will build upon the irreversible momentum that Gavin has generated. We are one team, and we understand the fight. ”Upon the conclusion of the ceremony, in custom Hawaiian fashion, both the Crist and Gardner Families were adorned with leis as audience members welcomed the Crist and bid farewell to the Gardners.
The 8th TSC coordinates and integrates operational-level sustainment and supports rehearsals of brigade-level engineering, protection, and finance operations in support of joint operations within the U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility.
| Date Taken: | 08.12.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 08.12.2026 21:15 |
| Story ID: | 572275 |
| Location: | HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 30 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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