New Theater Signal Commander
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Story and photos by Staff Sgt. Crista Yazzie, USARPAC Public Affairs
FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii (Oct. 17, 2008) — Brig. Gen. Alan Lynn assumed command of the 311th Theater Signal Command from outgoing commander Maj. Gen. Donna Dacier during an official ceremony at Fort Shafter's historic Palm Circle Oct. 17. "Thank you for inviting my wife Brook and I into your ohana, your family," said Lynn. " I am proud of the men and women of 311th Signal Command and USARPAC G6; the sacrifices you and your families have made in defense of our freedom across the Pacific and the globe are admirable and brave." According to Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander, U.S. Army, Pacific, and host of the event, Lynn is extremely qualified for his assignment. Some of Lynn's accomplishments include designing the network for Operation Desert Storm while serving as the Division Signal Officer for the 1st Bde., 101st Airborne. As commander of the 3rd Signal Bde. during Operation Iraqi Freedom, his brigade was recognized for building the largest tactical combat network in the history of the Army. Most recently, Lynn comes to the 311th Signal Command from the Defense Information Systems Agency in Washington, D.C., where he last served as chief of staff.
The ceremony also honored the accomplishments and service of Dacier, whose passing of command coincided with her retirement. "Today we are not just honoring her accomplishments as commanding general but for her 34 years of dedicated selfless service to the United States Army and to the nation," said Mixon, who hosted the event. "Through your leadership, commitment, devotion to duty and selfless service, you have definitely left organizations better than when you found them." Since 1995, the 311th has been a Ready Reserve Theater Signal Command with the mission to deploy and provide command and control to signal units operating in a theater. Dacier, who assumed command in Sept. 2005, was tasked with transforming the 311th from the strategic reserve to an operational force in Sept. 2006. "Donna relocated the 311th from Fort Meade, Maryland to Fort Shafter; and stood it up as a multi-component major subordinate command," said Mixon. "Dacier and her team of professionals have always succeeded in servicing our Nation, our Soldiers and our Army." Today, the 311th Signal Command (Theater) is the designated Signal command for the Army Service Component Commands within the Pacific and Korean theaters. It ensures that information services and systems and communications are provided throughout the Pacific region under any conditions.
"It is Team Signal of the Pacific that provides your email, your video teleconference, secure voice and data communications, combat communications on the move, and enables commanders to conduct battle command," said Dacier. "It even provides the 9-1-1 services on every garrison within USARPAC." All of this is accomplished by one brigade with five battalions. Despite all these accomplishments, the 311th still has many challenges ahead, and Lynn addressed the challenge.
"I look forward to taking quantum leaps forward in communications support and transformation during my command here in the Pacific," he said. "I pledge to be the best leader I can for you and your families and to do my best to meet the challenges we are sure to face." |
USARPAC conducts operations to assure, enhance, sustain, and influence military relationships that build partner defense capacity; prepare the
force for unified land operations; respond to threats; sustain and protect the force; to shape and posture for a stable and secure U.S. Pacific Command area of responsibility.
"We will remain dedicated that your Army in the Pacific is prepared with the
right training, the right equipment and the preservation of the nation's
greatest resource -- our sons and daughters and their families."
Lieutenant General
Francis J. Wiercinski
