JBSA-FORT SAM HOUSTON –
Maj. Gen. K.K. Chinn assumed command of U.S. Army South from Maj. Gen. Joseph P. DiSalvo during a change of command ceremony June 4 in front of Army South headquarters on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.
Before taking command of Army South, Chinn was the deputy commanding general for U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Marine Corps Gen. John F. Kelly, commander of U.S. Southern Command, hosted the ceremony. During the ceremony, Kelly commended DiSalvo for his positive impact on the Army South mission while in command.
"Joe pushed the Army South team to constantly improve readiness and Army engagements throughout Latin America and the Caribbean," Kelly said. "Joe not only recognizes the importance of creating relationships based on mutual confidence, trust and professionalism, he also understands the importance of maintaining these relationships, to nourish and strengthen them through regular interaction."
Kelly highlighted some of Army South's accomplishments under the guidance of DiSalvo. "I could cite a dozen examples, but I'll stick to a few of them."
He described the recent Central America Regional Leaders Conference hosted by Army South. The annual conference is integral to promoting regional security cooperation amongst senior executive decision makers in the areas of interoperability, information sharing and countering transnational organized crime. This year, attendees included senior partner nation leaders from Central America and the Dominican Republic.
"For some of our partners, it was the first time they'd ever interacted with their counterparts to discuss transnational threats," Kelly said.
"They walked away from this conference with more than just new knowledge. They walked away with a deeper bond of fellowship and friendship with their neighbors."
Citing the U.S. Army Staff Talks Program in which Army South regularly participates with the armies of Brazil, Chile, Colombia and El Salvador, Kelly noted that under DiSalvo's guidance, Army South added another key partner to the list.
"He laid the groundwork to begin staff talks with the Peruvian army, one of our most important partners in South America," Kelly said of DiSalvo.
Kelly emphasized that even as Army South marked a change of commanders during the ceremony, important humanitarian work by the command was taking place in Central America.
"Right now in El Salvador, more than 1,800 National Guard, reserve and active duty Soldiers and Airmen from across the United States are working with their counterparts from El Salvador, Colombia, Canada, Chile and Brazil, building schools and providing free medical care to thousands of patients - sometimes as many as 100 an hour - as part of our 2015 Beyond the Horizon exercise," Kelly said. "Joe, for all this and more: thank you for your dedication to the Army South mission, and I'm proud of all you have accomplished."
DiSalvo took the time to express his gratitude to members of Army South for their support in accomplishing Army South's mission during his tenure.
"To the tremendous Army South staff of Soldiers and civilians, and all the assigned or aligned forces - thank you for all your superb efforts. You truly have and continue to make a positive difference in our area of operations. Thank you for making every day in command a great day," DiSalvo said.
DiSalvo departs San Antonio for Miami where he will be the deputy commanding general for U.S. Southern Command.
Chinn, a graduate of the United States Military Academy who also holds a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College, expressed his gratitude to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors who commanded Army South and continue the legacy.
"I am appreciative, as I have transitioned, to observe 'Juntos Podemos - Together We Can' is more than just a slogan; that it is a state of mind that represents the foundation for everything being done in this command," Chinn said.
"The integration, synchronization, spirit of partnership and cooperation is on target, and I look forward to continuing to foster the teamwork generated with joint, interagency, inter-organizational, multinational responses to challenges in Latin America," the general added.