United States Army Western Hemisphere Command

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U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command
File:United States Army Western Hemisphere Command SSI api.army.mil 2025 12 05 751x976px.png
USAWHC shoulder sleeve insignia
Active5 December 2025–Present
CountryError creating thumbnail: United States
BranchFile:Flag of the United States Army.svg United States Army
Garrison/HQFort Bragg, North Carolina
NicknameAmerica's Theater Army
Websitewww.army.mil/USAWHC
Commanders
Commanding generalGEN Joseph A. Ryan
Deputy Commanding GeneralLTG Stephen G. Smith
Command Sergeant MajorCSM Nema Mobar
Insignia
USAWHC Command FlagFile:USAWHC Flag.jpg

The United States Army Western Hemisphere Command (USAWHC) is a command of the United States Army. It serves as the Theater Army and Army Service Component Command (ASCC) for both United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) and United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM), overseeing operations across North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean.[1] Anticipating full operating capability by summer 2026,[2] the command will oversee local operations, defense of the US southern border,[3] natural disaster response,[4] and general humanitarian assistance in the Western Hemisphere.[5] USAWHC was activated on 5 December 2025, at Fort Bragg in North Carolina.[6]

History

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On 5 December 2025, the USAWHC was activated and replaced United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM).[7] Effective the same date, the United States Army North (ARNORTH) and United States Army South (ARSOUTH) were assigned to USAWHC, including their mission and resources.[8] The establishment of USAWHC is part of a larger reorganization effort by the Army to modernize its command structure[9] and reduce its number of generals.[10] Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said on January 14, 2025 at his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing, “We won World War II with seven four-star generals, Today we have 44.…There is an inverse relationship between the size of staffs and victory on the battlefield. We do not need more bureaucracy at the top. We need more warfighters empowered at the bottom."[11] The secretary also published his plan for the realignment called the Unified Command Plan.

When ARNORTH and ARSOUTH conclude their Army Service Component Command service to NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM respectively, USAWHC will become the Army Component of both NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM.[8] The USAWHC reports directly to Headquarters, Department of the Army.[8] The restructuring through the creation of the USAWHC and the deactivation or merger of the three former commands will cause the relocation or transfer of hundreds of civilian positions, mainly from Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, Texas.[3]

In addition to restructuring, the creation of the USAWHC is a major change in U.S. policy under President Donald Trump. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said, "After years of neglect, the United States will restore U.S. military dominance in the Western Hemisphere. We will use it to protect our homeland and access to key terrain throughout the region. We will also deny adversaries' ability to position forces or other threatening capabilities in our hemisphere."[3]

USAWHC will reach its initial operating capability in February 2026, and the command is expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2026.[6] According to a memo from Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, FORSCOM, ARNORTH and ARSOUTH will inactivate on 15 October 2026.[12]

The following units were transferred under command of USAWHC (effective 5 December 2025): the First Army, the XVIII Airborne Corps, the 20th CBRNE Command, and the Air Traffic Services Command.[8] The III Armored Corps has been assigned to U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF), and I Corps has been assigned to United States Army Pacific (USARPAC).[8][12]

The command will also take charge of the PANAMAX and Vigilant Shield exercises.[4] PANAMAX is a U.S.-led multinational exercise, involving troops from Central and South American nations. The other, Vigilant Shield, is a U.S.-based exercise that has troops train for and simulate defense of attacks on the United States.[4]

Prior to the establishment of USAWHC, a proposed "AMERICOM" would merge U.S. Northern Command with U.S. Southern Command.[13]

Organization

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Subordinate units

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Source(s):[8][additional citation(s) needed]

Insignia

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The shoulder sleeve insignia of USAWHC was approved by the Army's Institute of Heraldry.[14] It consists of a navy blue shield, containing a globe that displays the Western Hemisphere, surmounted by the head of a bald eagle. The two stars, doubled left and right, represent the command's four-star status. The red, white and blue colors allude to the national colors of the United States.[15] The SSI of USAWHC was quickly added to the command's first flag, which was created in the two weeks prior to the December 5 activation ceremony by the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support.[16]

Leadership

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The first commander of USAWHC is Gen. Joseph A. Ryan. The command sergeant major of USAWHC is CSM Nema Mobar.[17]

List of commanding generals

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No. Commanding General Term
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
As U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command
1General
Joseph A. Ryan		5 December 2025Incumbent138 days

References

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