JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
In a first-ever welcome ceremony Oct. 2, U.S. Army South at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston received Chilean Brig. Gen. Edmundo Villarroel and his family to serve as the Deputy Commanding General-Interoperability.
Villarroel returns to Army South after having previously served as the Chilean partner nation liaison officer from July 2014-February 2015. As the newly appointed DCG-Interoperability, Villarroel’s homecoming ceremony included several familiar faces such as Ambassador Liliana Ayalde, foreign policy advisor and civilian deputy to the commander at U.S. Southern Command; and former ambassador Dr. James Creagan, who currently teaches at St. Mary’s University, along with many others.
For the better part of a year, the Chilean liaison to Army South and members from the Chilean Military Attaché negotiated the agreements for the final title and position that Villarroel now holds. As one of his final acts while ARSOUTH commander, Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn provided the historic remarks noting the significance of the day.
“This day has been a long time coming. We want to thank everyone that has done so much hard work to make this a reality,” Chinn said. “We are really truly honored to have you and your family here today, welcome to U.S. Army South, I can’t think of a better officer and anyone more qualified to fill these duties.”
Gen. Humberto Oviedo, commanding general of the Chilean army, was also in attendance and thanked Chinn and incoming ARSOUTH commander Maj. Gen. Mark Stammer for the opportunity to increase the partnership between the Chilean and American armies.
“Gen. Villarroel is a highly qualified officer and well known by our American friends,” Oviedo said. “We wish the best for you with this new challenge in your career, we have confidence that you will be a success.”
Chinn also presented Villarroel with the U.S. Army South patch. Chinn explained the breakdown of the unit patch which includes a ship, the galleon, a symbol of the Caribbean area since it predominated during the Spanish regime, the blue background represents the color of the Caribbean sea, and the cross is the insignia of Columbus, the first to explore the land in the Caribbean area.
Hand selected by Oviedo, Villarroel’s many new tasks will include leading efforts to oversee Army South’s rapid response to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief line of efforts, developing a combined joint task force to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, facilitating the development and enhancement of the unit’s efforts to improve hemispheric interoperability throughout North, Central and South America.
Though the first of its kind, Chinn, Oviedo and Villarroel all referenced the future potential for other partner nation senior leaders to one day fill the newly created DCG-I position.
“The message is clear – we must work together, train together and fight together, but we can only do that when there are strong, trust-based relationships between our countries,” Chinn said. “Brig. Gen. Villarroel’s appointment in this critical position means more than just a new face in Army South, it means the armies of the Western hemisphere are building organizational relationships that will allow us to find regional solutions to regional problems together.”
“Thank you for the honor of receiving this patch. I will proudly wear it and I understand the responsibility that comes with wearing it,” said Villarroel in accepting his new position.