JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FT. SAM HOUSTON –
Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV assumed command of U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) and
Fort Sam Houston before a gathering of fellow senior leaders, state and local government officials, family, service members and civilian partners at Fort Sam Houston's historic Quadrangle Jan. 12.
Caldwell carries on a family legacy that commenced 34 years earlier when his father,
Lt. Gen. William Caldwell III, took command of Fifth Army in San Antonio in 1978; he served as the unit's commanding general until his retirement in 1980.
Caldwell said his new command is one he truly looks forward to, particularly since it
involves the vital mission of protecting the American people.
"The size of this state is equal to the size of our mission," Caldwell said. "Our missions - Homeland Defense, Defense Support of Civil Authorities and Security Cooperation - are a no-fail sacred trust to the American people."
The importance of this mission directly lines up with that of U.S. Northern Command, the unit's higher command.
"As Northcom's Army Service Component Command, Army North has been on the watch for almost a decade," Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S Northern Command commanding general, said.
"Army North has been the key component in executing our joint missions. During that time, the command's achievements have been impressive."
The history of the Army in San Antonio is well documented, Caldwell said, and nowhere else is that history more clear than here in the historic Quadrangle.
He said he will work with his fellow Army commanders and Air Force partners to ensure Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis remain exemplary Army communities.
Prior to assuming command of Army North, Caldwell served as the commander of North Atlantic Treaty Organization Training Mission-Afghanistan and Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan
from November 2009 to November 2011.
Prior to his deployment, he served as the commanding general of the Combined Arms
Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., the command that oversees the Command and General Staff College and 18 other schools, centers and training programs located throughout the United States.
Jacoby said Caldwell's previous experience in providing support to the American public in its time of need shows that he is the man for the job.
"Today, I'm delighted to pass this mantle of this great command to Lt. Gen. Caldwell to
lead this organization to build upon those great achievements," Jacoby said.
"Bill led the deployment of 3,600 paratroopers in helping to evacuate 6,000 residents
and treat over 1,300 patients in Hurricane Katrina. This leader knows how to do Defense Support of Civil Authorities."
Caldwell hails from a long line of Soldiers, with a William B. Caldwell serving in every conflict the United States has participated in since World War I.
His great-grandfather, William B. Caldwell, served in the Army during the first World
War; his grandfather, Col. William B. Caldwell II, served during World War II and retired
after 37 years of military service; and his father, Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell III, retired after 32 years of service, which included combat tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam and culminated in his final two years as the Fifth Army commanding general.
In closing, Caldwell said he looks forward to working with his civilian and military partners.
"Our success in such an endeavor is really measured by the by the success of others," Caldwell said.
"Therefore, it is imperative that we develop trusted partnerships with other governments,
U.S. agencies and entities. This command will continue its unwavering resolve in our mutual fight against Trans-National Criminal Organizations, and I personally look forward to building our trusted relationships."