General Officer Assignments

The chief of staff, Army announces the following assignments:

Maj. Gen. Paul C. Hurley Jr., commanding general, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), U.S. Army Central, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; and Kuwait, to commanding general, U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command, Sustainment Center of Excellence and Fort Lee, Fort Lee, Virginia.

Maj. Gen. Lewis G. Irwin, U.S. Army Reserve, commander (Troop Program Unit), 416th Engineer Command, Darien, Illinois, to deputy chief of Army Reserve (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Office of the Chief of Army Reserve, Washington, District of Columbia.

Maj. Gen. Dennis S. McKean, chief, Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq, U.S. Central Command, Iraq, to commanding general, 2d Infantry Division (Combined), Eighth Army, Republic of Korea.

Maj. Gen. Erik C. Peterson, director, Army Aviation, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army, Washington, District of Columbia, to commanding general, First Army Division West, Fort Hood, Texas.

Maj. Gen. Arlen R. Royalty, U.S. Army Reserve, assistant deputy chief of staff, G-3 (Individual Mobilization Augmentee), Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army, Washington, District of Columbia, to commander (Troop Program Unit), 84th Training Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Maj. Gen. Kurt L. Sonntag, commander, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, Operation Enduring Freedom-Horn of Africa, Djibouti, to commanding general, U.S. Army John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Maj. Gen. Flem B. Walker Jr., deputy chief of staff, G-4, U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to commanding general, 1st Sustainment Command (Theater), U.S. Army Central, Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Brig. Gen. Maria B. Barrett, deputy commanding general, Joint Force Headquarters-Cyber, U.S. Army Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland, to deputy director of operations, J-3, U.S. Cyber Command, Fort Meade, Maryland.

Brig. Gen. David E. Brigham, deputy director, Strategy, Plans and Policy, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army, Washington, District of Columbia, to senior defense official and defense attaché-India (U.S. Pacific Command), Defense Intelligence Agency, India.

Brig. Gen. Robin L. Fontes, senior defense official and defense attaché-India (U.S. Pacific Command), Defense Intelligence Agency, India, to senior director for India, Pakistan, and Central Asian Affairs, National Security Council, Executive Office of the President, Washington, District of Columbia.

Brig. Gen. David P. Glaser, commanding general, Army Corrections Command; and deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Crystal City, Virginia, to provost marshal general and commanding general, U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Washington, District of Columbia.

Brig. Gen. Kenneth L. Kamper, deputy commanding general (Support), 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colorado, to chief of staff, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Inherent Resolve, Kuwait.

Brig. Gen. Richard C. Kim, deputy director, Program Analysis and Evaluation, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-8, U.S. Army, Washington, District of Columbia, to deputy commanding general, U.S. Army North, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas.

Brig. Gen. Joseph W. Rank, senior defense official and defense attaché-United Arab Emirates (U.S. Central Command), Defense Intelligence Agency, United Arab Emirates, to director for Middle East, National Security Council, Executive Office of the President, Washington, District of Columbia.

Brig. Gen. Christopher J. Sharpsten, commanding general, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to director, CJ4, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Inherent Resolve, Kuwait.

Brig. Gen. Michael J. Tarsa, assistant special advisor for program integration, Office of the Vice Chief of Staff of the Army, Washington, District of Columbia, to deputy director for Politico-Military Affairs (Europe) J-5, Joint Staff, Washington, District Of Columbia.

Brig. Gen. Frank W. Tate, deputy chief of staff for operations, Multinational Corps Northeast, North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Poland, to director, Army Aviation, Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army, Washington, District of Columbia.

Col. (Promotable) Jonathan P. Braga, chief of staff, Joint Special Operations Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to director, CJ3, Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Inherent Resolve, Kuwait.

Col. (Promotable) Miguel A. Correa to senior defense official and defense attaché-United Arab Emirates (U.S. Central Command), Defense Intelligence Agency, United Arab Emirates.  He most recently served as chief of staff, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Col. (Promotable) Clement S. Coward Jr., director, business operations, Office of Business Transformation, Office of the Under Secretary of the Army, Washington, District of Columbia, to director, Joint Integrated Air and Missile Defense Organization, J-8, Joint Staff, Washington, District of Columbia.

Release No: NR-057-17
Feb. 14, 2017

Readout of Secretary Mattis’ Meeting with German Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen

Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis hosted German Minister of Defense Ursula von der Leyen at the Pentagon today to exchange perspectives on defense security issues with one of our closest allies.

The two leaders discussed the importance of the alliance between the United States and Germany, both bilaterally and as members of NATO. He thanked Minister von der Leyen for her country’s leadership in NATO activities, and acknowledged the role that Germany plays in fighting terrorism, specifically in the counter-ISIL coalition. He also cited the strategic importance of Germany as the host to 35,000 U.S. personnel, the largest U.S. force presence in Europe.

Both look forward to working together at the NATO Defense Ministerial and Munich Security Conference next week.

Release No: NR-056-17
Feb. 10, 2017

Readout of Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis’ Call with Pakistan Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa

Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis provided the following readout:

Secretary Mattis spoke today by telephone with Pakistan Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa to discuss the U.S.-Pakistan defense relationship.

Gen. Bajwa reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to counter all militant groups operating in its territory.  Secretary Mattis recognized the significant sacrifices the Pakistan military has made in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, and expressed appreciation for the Pakistan military’s recent support for efforts to defeat ISIS-Khorasan Province.

Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral military-to-military relationship, and highlighted the importance of continuing to work together on counterterrorism and regional stability.

Release No: NR-055-17
Feb. 9, 2017

Navy to Christen Littoral Combat Ship Tulsa

The Navy will christen its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship, USS Tulsa (LCS 16), during a 10 a.m. CST ceremony Saturday, Feb. 11 in Mobile, Alabama.

Tulsa, designated LCS 16, honors the city of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Adm. William F. Moran, vice chief of naval operations, will deliver the ceremony’s principal address. Kathy Taylor, former mayor of Tulsa, is serving as the ship’s sponsor. The ceremony will be highlighted by Taylor observing a time-honored Navy tradition of breaking a bottle of sparkling wine across the bow to formally christen the ship.

“The christening of the future USS Tulsa serves as a tribute to the extraordinary work done by our nation’s shipbuilders and brings this great ship one step closer to joining our fleet,” said the Honorable Sean Stackley, acting secretary of the Navy. “Our nation can be proud of this crew as they ready the ship to represent the city of Tulsa, and the United States, around the world for years to come.”

The future USS Tulsa is the second U.S. Navy ship to be named in honor of the city of Tulsa.  The first USS Tulsa was an Asheville-class gunboat designated as PG-22 that served from 1923 to 1944 before being renamed Tacloban. She earned two battle stars for World War II service.  A cruiser to be named USS Tulsa was also authorized for construction during World War II, but the contract was canceled before it was built.

The future USS Tulsa is a fast, agile, focused-mission platform designed for operation in near-shore environments yet capable of open-ocean operation. It is designed to defeat asymmetric “anti-access” threats such as mines, quiet diesel submarines and fast surface craft.

The LCS class consists of two variants, the Freedom variant and the Independence variant – designed and built by two industry teams. The Freedom variant team is led by Lockheed Martin (for the odd-numbered hulls, e.g. LCS 1) while the Independence variant team is led by Austal USA (for LCS 6 and the subsequent even-numbered hulls).

Each LCS seaframe is outfitted with a single mission package made up of mission modules containing warfighting systems and support equipment. A dedicated ship crew will combine with aviation assets to deploy manned and unmanned vehicles and sensors in support of mine countermeasures, anti-submarine warfare or surface warfare missions.

Release No: NR-054-17
Feb. 9, 2017

Readout of Secretary Mattis’ Call with Indian Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar

Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke by telephone today with Indian Minister of Defense Manohar Parrikar.  In their first conversation, Secretary Mattis committed to build upon the tremendous progress in bilateral defense cooperation made in recent years, underscoring the strategic importance of the U.S.-India relationship and India’s role in advancing global peace and security.  Secretary Mattis and Minister Parrikar affirmed their commitment to sustain the momentum on key bilateral defense efforts to include the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative.

Release No: NR-053-17
Feb. 8, 2017

Statement by Pentagon Spokesman Captain Jeff Davis on U.S.-Russia Video Conference

The Department of Defense today held a video conference co-chaired by Ken Handelman, performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for International Security Affairs and Rear Adm. Michael J. Dumont, deputy director for strategic initiatives, Joint Staff J5, with Russian Ministry of Defense counterparts. This was the latest session of our dialogue with the Russian Ministry of Defense under the memorandum of understanding for the safety of flight in Syria to ensure that each side continues to adhere to agreed-upon measures to mitigate incidents in the air over Syria.

Department officials discussed ongoing work regarding the safety of operations since the two sides last met. The two sides reiterated the utility of adhering to the memorandum of understanding to avoid accidents and misunderstandings in the air space over Syria.

Today’s meeting follows previous video conferences between the Department of Defense and the Russian Ministry of Defense on this topic.

Release No: NR-052-17
Feb. 8, 2017

Statement by Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis on Airstrikes Against al-Qaida near Idlib, Syria

On Feb. 3, one U.S. strike killed 10 terrorists in a building being used as an al-Qaida meeting place.

On Feb. 4, a second strike killed Abu Hani al-Masri, a legacy al-Qaida terrorist with ties to the group’s senior leaders, including Ayman al-Zawahiri and Usama bin-Laden. Al-Masri oversaw the creation and operation of many al-Qaida training camps in Afghanistan in the 1980s and ’90s, where he recruited, indoctrinated, trained and equipped thousands of terrorists who subsequently spread throughout the region and the world.

He was also one of the founders of Egyptian Islamic Jihad, the first Sunni group to use suicide bombers in their terror attacks. EIJ is responsible for multiple attacks against U.S. and allied facilities and personnel, including a 1998 attempt to blow up the American embassy in Albania.

These strikes disrupt al-Qaida’s ability to plot and direct external attacks targeting the U.S. and our interests worldwide. These extremists are increasingly questioning the loyalty of their members as paranoia spreads throughout their network about the many strikes conducted against them. U.S. forces have struck multiple meeting locations, an established basic training camp, and four leaders since the beginning of the year.

We will continue to take action to deny these terrorists safe haven in Syria to ensure they cannot focus on plotting terror against the region and world.

Release No: NR-051-17
Feb. 8, 2017

Readout of Secretary Mattis’ Call with Iraqi Minister of Defense Arfan al-Hayali

Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke today by phone with Iraqi Defense Minister Arfan al-Hayali to discuss the strong U.S.-Iraq defense partnership in the fight against ISIS. Secretary Mattis congratulated Minister Hayali on his new position and praised the Iraqis’ hard-won gains against ISIS- most recently in eastern Mosul. Both discussed planning for operations to liberate western Mosul. Secretary Mattis and Minister Hayali affirmed their commitment to continued U.S.-Iraq cooperation and a strong partnership that will enable the Iraqis to deal ISIS a lasting defeat.

Release No: NR-050-17
Feb. 8, 2017

Readout of Secretary Mattis’ Call with Mexico Secretary of National Defense General Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda and Secretary of the Navy Admiral Vidal Soberón Sanz

Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis provided the following readout:

Secretary Mattis spoke with his Mexican counterparts, Secretary of National Defense General Salvador Cienfuegos Zepeda and Secretary of the Navy Admiral Vidal Soberón Sanz. Their introductory conversation focused on the importance of the U.S.-Mexico defense relationship.   Secretary Mattis noted the bilateral commitment to strengthen our close bilateral defense relationship and to improving cooperation in areas of mutual interest.  Secretary Mattis lauded Mexico’s growing leadership in the region and commended Mexico’s willingness to host the Central American Security Conference in July, assume the presidency of the Inter American Defense Board in 2017, and to host the Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas in 2018.  The participants stated their commitment to the North American Defense Ministerial process, and working with Canada to address mutual defense challenges to North America.

Release No: NR-049-17
Feb. 7, 2017

Readout of Secretary Mattis’ Call with Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani

Pentagon Spokesman Capt. Jeff Davis provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis spoke today by telephone with President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan to discuss the enduring U.S.-Afghan security relationship.  Secretary Mattis thanked President Ghani for his leadership and emphasized the importance of the government of national unity to the stability of Afghanistan.  President Ghani affirmed his commitment to reforms, especially eliminating corruption, and highlighted the importance of a sustained U.S.-Afghan relationship for the security of Afghanistan and the region.  In light of the recent attacks, including today’s attack against the Afghan Supreme Court, Secretary Mattis offered his condolences for the sacrifices of the Afghan people and commended President Ghani’s unwavering commitment in the face of the enemy. Both Secretary Mattis and President Ghani expressed their desire to maintain a strong relationship, and look forward to engaging again in the near future.

Release No: NR-048-17
Feb. 7, 2017