SALT LAKE CITY - An activation ceremony for the Pacific Command Army Reserve Element was held at the Sgt. James Witkowski Armed Forces Reserve Center, California, Nov. 2, 2014.
The ARE has been an initiative for more than two and a half years and is designed to augment and interact with the staff and work side-by-side with their active counterparts at PACOM.
Officially activated Feb. 1, 2014, this marks the ARE's actual activation ceremony.
"The activation of this unit will ultimately provide [approximately] 150 Soldiers dedicated to supporting the United States Forces-Korea mission during exercises, crisis, contingency and war-time operations," said Brig. Gen. Eric C. Bush, director of operations for U.S. Forces Korea, and the ceremony's guest speaker. "This is in direct support of the president's 'Pivot to Asia' foreign policy."
Once at full strength, the ARE plans to have Soldiers located in Hawaii, Korea and Alaska and will allow for added continuity and support to the PACOM area of operation with Reserve Soldiers.
In order to be prepared for deployment, when needed, the ARE required an element that could provide and sustain administrative control. The 76th Operational Response Command accepted that challenge and will be responsible for providing support in areas such as: Administrative, financial, training and recruitment.
"The mission of the PACOM ARE is absolutely critical," said Maj. Gen. Daniel L. York, commanding general of the 76th Operational Response Command. “They provide dedicated resources to their active-duty counterparts and enhance their deployment capabilities.”