Posted on 04/07/2007 9:13:35 AM PDT by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA — The leadership of the Intelligence Center and Fort Huachuca will change on June 29, when Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast turns over the reins to Brig. Gen. John Custer.
Fast, who has commanded the center and fort since March 16, 2005, has been named the deputy for the Army Capabilities Training Center at the Training and Doctrine Command headquarters at Fort Monroe, Va. Custer, who is on the list for promotion to major general, will be returning to the fort from his position as the director of intelligence for the U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. He once served as deputy commander of the Intelligence Center.
Fast said it was a great pleasure to announce Custer will be assuming command of the center and the fort.
Many know Custer “is a tremendous leader who brings a wealth of experience to the position,” she said.
Both Custer and his wife, Audrey, are exciting “about returning to us,” Fast said.
As for leaving and her future Army job, she said, “My time here at USAIC (U.S. Army Intelligence Center) and Fort Huachuca has been exciting and tremendously rewarding. It’s been an honor to have been part of a dynamic organization which is blazing trails in intelligence, training and operations.”
When she reports to TRADOC, Fast said her new job is something she is looking forward to doing.
“In this capacity, I’ll continue to be involved with intelligence programs, as well as programs Army-wide,” she said.
Custer, who left the fort in 2003, also is looking forward to his new assignment.
“Audrey and I are extremely pleased with the announcement we will soon be coming back to Fort Huachuca,” he said.
Noting they have many friends in Sierra Vista and on the fort, the general said, “It truly feels we are coming home.”
Custer said the Army’s announcement of his assignment “seems like a dream come true … It is the assignment we have hoped for since departing in 2003.”
The importance of intelligence is underscored by what is happening the world today, the general said.
“As our nation continues to prosecute the global war on terror, there are a tremendous number of challenges in the intelligence world,” Custer said. “From Iraq and Afghanistan, to the Horn of Africa and the global aspect of our fight against al-Qaida, it’s our intelligence component that drives operations, and there is no greater assembly of intelligence professionals in the world than at Fort Huachuca.”
Equally as important, he said, is the support the post receives from the surrounding civilian community.
“We look forward to working with the Sierra Vista and Fort Huachuca communities once again,” Custer said.
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
Follow Up Ping
BREAKING NEWS: Fast’s command of fort ends in June
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1813414/posts
Thanks for the ping, please disregard the QRM in post 3.
Will this be General Custer’s last stand?
Could Beeeeeee
Thanks for the follow up
You don't think folks would be interested in seeing the original story when this one is tagged as a follow up?
Geez, wasn’t Babs Fast in the chain of command at Abu Ghraib?
Pobodies Nerfect.
Yep. Fast to Karpinski to Col Pappas to Abu itself is the line if I recall correctly.
Custer refers twice to 2003 when he left. I recall a May 2003 national headline by Worldnetdaily about Ft. Huachuca prepared for Force Protection Delta, and the uniform orders for the sentry required Kevlar, LBE, flashlights and a wooden axe handle.
Does anyone recall who the CG was around then?
I want to say Claudia Kennedy was the CG then but I’m not sure.
“want to say Claudia Kennedy was the CG then but I’m not sure.”
Thanks.
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