FORT BENNING, Ga. – On January 27, 2026, the Army Security Cooperation Group – South (ASCG-S) conducted a small ceremony on Kelley Hill, Fort Benning, Georgia to commemorate its ongoing transformation. ASCG-S, formerly 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade (1st SFAB), has become central to security cooperation in Panama, through its assumption of the Joint Security Cooperation Group-Panama (JSCG-P) and the combined Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTC) missions.

The ceremony was presided over by Col. Keith W. Benedict and Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Pedro Chavez, the command team for the ASCG-S. During the ceremony – coinciding with the furling of the colors and near-term departure of two organic battalions and one National Guard battalion from 54th SFAB. Col. Benedict reflected on 1st SFAB’s legacy and how it’s accomplishments and achievements will have long-lasting effects on the U.S. Army and our regional partners. Those bound for Panama then donned their jungle boonie headgear, and all donned the U.S. Army South’s 6th Army patch.

1st Security Force Assistance Brigade was activated in October 2017 to fill the growing requirement for Advisors for Afghan security forces, alleviating the existing practice of pulling leaders from their formations to help Afghan units. 1st SFAB conducted one deployment to southwest Asia, where Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Timothy Bolyard, the senior enlisted advisor of 3rd Squadron, 1st SFAB made the ultimate sacrifice. After the Afghanistan tour, 1st SFAB became regionally aligned to the Southern Command area of operations, where they conducted security force assistance with Colombia, Argentina, Panama, and Honduras, among other partners.

The Army Security Cooperation Group – South is a unique unit within the Army, that falls under the newly-established United States Western Hemisphere Command (USAWHC), leading efforts to deepen and widen interoperability with Panamanian partners on strategic terrain within the 2025 National Security Strategy’s priority region. “Our soldiers are excited to build upon their experience working in Panama to establish a digitized training environment and work with our partners,” states Col. Benedict, “to test and evaluate our warfighting capabilities in one of the most challenging jungle environs in the world.”

Under the new force restructure, ASCG-S has assumed responsibility for JSCG-P, which is working with the government of Panama to increase cooperation efforts between the U.S. Military and Panamanian security forces. JSCG-P is also crucial to the staging and reception of all U.S. military personnel coming to Panama to learn from partners and to test their mettle. “We are actively seeking jungle expertise and look forward to units across the joint force and the international community joining us this summer for Panamax 2026,” CSM Chavez states, “I assure you, this environment isn’t for the timid or entitled.”

JSCG-P is working with Panamanian partners to re-invigorate a combined JOTC at Aeronaval Base Cristobal Colon (formerly Fort Sherman). Panamanian security forces have run a unilateral course like the U.S. Army-run, combined course that existed for Panama for nearly 40 years until 1999. Now, once again JOTC students and cadre from both U.S. and Panamanian security forces convene in the “Green Hell.” The current course is 18 days and goes over primitive fire and shelter training followed by tracking and patrol exercises that test the students’ resilience and perseverance.

The activation of the ASCG-S is yet another visible step in the Army and U.S. military’s ongoing effort to revitalize security in the western hemisphere and with the regional partners therein. The Army Security Cooperation Group-South is excited to evolve into a premier jungle force capable of enabling training and readiness for and looking for units to train in this environment and individual soldiers seeking opportunities to enter the triple-canopy arena.

MAJ Val Bryant

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The Department of the Army activated the U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command in a historic transition ceremony today at Fort Bragg, uniting U.S. Army Forces Command, U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South into a single, four-star operational headquarters.

The ceremony also marked the casing of the U.S. Army Forces Command colors and the retirement of FORSCOM’s commanding general. Gen. Andrew Poppas, who has led Forces Command since July 2022, is set to retire after more than 37 years of service.

“Today we become something new,” Poppas said, “but FORSCOM’s spirit of readiness, resilience and warfighting strength will not fade. Rather, that spirit will radiate throughout the Army.”

Gen. Joseph A. Ryan assumed command of the new USAWHC. He previously served as the Army’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans, and Training (G-3/5/7).

The ceremony is a significant moment in the Army’s transformation. The establishment of USAWHC is part of a broader transformation campaign to modernize Army command structures and improve operational agility.

USAWHC is an operational warfighting theater command headquarters overseeing all Army plans, posture, operations, and power projection in support of U.S. Northern and Southern Commands — aligned with national strategic priorities.

“Western Hemisphere Command is designed for speed, flexibility and relevance to effectively respond to challenges in our complex times,” said Army Chief of Staff, Gen. Randy George. “By consolidating these headquarters and aligning the theater, we will streamline processes, eliminate redundant efforts, and free up talent and resources. This will allow us to better support our fighting formations.”

USAWHC unifies domestic-response capabilities from ARNORTH, regional engagement expertise from ARSOUTH and the large-scale readiness oversight of FORSCOM. This integration delivers uninterrupted readiness, rapid force generation and expertise in homeland defense and civil support. This enables the U.S. Army to respond more rapidly to crises and continue building strong military alliances.

“Today is much more than a change of command ceremony,” Poppas said, “it’s a major step toward the merger of three powerhouse Army headquarters into one operational, transregional team that will face the nation’s top strategic priorities.”

The activation of USAWHC is the first step in a conditions-based transformation. By February 2026, USAWHC will reach its initial operational capability and will be assigned to U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Northern Command to prepare to accept Theater Army authorities and responsibilities. If all conditions are met, the command will reach full operational capability by summer 2026.

Today, we continue in the Army’s rich history of transformation — combining Forces Command, Army North and Army South — to form the United States Army Western Hemisphere Command,” Ryan said. “The Army is making an enormous investment in this transformation; combining three important, effective and historically capable commands into one. It is our responsibility to deliver returns on that investment.

The USAWHC mission statement is: “U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command is the Theater Army for U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command. USAWHC enables defense of the homeland; conducts defense support of civil authorities, crisis response, and regional security cooperation; provides trained and ready land forces for global and regional employment; integrates Army capabilities into Joint and interagency operations; and ensures the ability of the Army to mobilize and employ reserve component forces to secure American interests and security in the Western Hemisphere.”

Visit USAWHC’s website for more information on the command.

By U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command Public Affairs

STAUNTON, Va.   –  

The Virginia National Guard’s Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team was officially converted to the 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team effective Oct. 16, 2025, by the Army Structure Memorandum, commonly referred to as the ARSTRUC.

“Our official designation to MBCT marks a major milestone in the Army’s effort to modernize its combat formations for 21st-century warfare,” said Col. Arthur S. Moore, commander of the 116th.

The 116th was the first Army National Guard brigade to test and evaluate an approved task organization for a mobile brigade combat team during their 21-day eXportable Combat Training Capability rotation in June 2025 at Fort Pickett, Virginia. The MBCT concept is part of the U.S. Army’s transformation initiative with the goal of making units more agile and lethal.

The mobile brigade combat team force structure focuses on three infantry battalions and the addition of a multi-purpose company in each battalion and a multi-functional reconnaissance company in the brigade. 

These elements were able to integrate unmanned aerial systems, electronic warfare systems and mobility and allowed the 116th to explore different methods to conduct reconnaissance, surveillance and targeting during XCTC, he said.

“The battlefield is changing,” Moore said. “The future belongs to Soldiers with superior field discipline who can move, strike, communicate and sustain for extended periods. The MBCT force design gives us that edge.”

The transformation initiative also converts the Danville-based 429th Brigade Support Battalion as the 429th Light Support Battalion, and the Fredericksburg-based 229th Brigade Engineer Battalion and the Portsmouth-based 2nd Squadron, 183rd Cavalry Regiment are scheduled to inactivated effective Sept. 29, 2026. 

“While transformation re-centralizes several capabilities from the brigade level up to the division level, the BCT remains the Army’s primary tactical maneuver force,” Moore said. “Every Soldier, all hands on deck, will have every opportunity to continue to serve during and after the transition.”

Transformation has given the 116th an opportunity to collaborate and dialogue with active U.S. Army unit already operating as MBCTs and leverage lessons learned to facilitate the transition, he said. 

“As Guardsmen, we’re bringing our civilian skills and empowering Soldiers to challenge assumptions, experiment and innovate,” he said. “We’re preparing for the first battle alongside the active U.S. Army if our nation calls upon us.”

The 116th has already seen the benefits of new unmanned aerial systems and command and control capabilities. This equipment will greatly enhance the 116th’s effectiveness and lethality, and the new Infantry Squad Vehicles will better equip Soldiers and formations for tactical mobility. Initial fielding of the ISVs should begin before the end of the calendar year, Moore said.

“The rifle and rucksack still matter, but they’re now joined by sensors and platforms that give our infantry more reach, awareness and options,” he said.

In the MBCT formation, battalion scout, mortar and assault platoons moved to a battalion multipurpose company to provide ground and aerial reconnaissance, indirect fire support, launched effects, counter unmanned aerial systems and deception capabilities to fix and attrit enemy forces that allows for infantry companies to close with and destroy the enemy.

The multi-function reconnaissance company provides reconnaissance and surveillance for the brigade to enable targeting and provide timely, accurate reporting of enemy activity, detect and target enemy high payoff targets and enhance the brigade’s overall lethality and survivability.

“The MBCT force design makes us more lethal, mobile and survivable in a large-scale combat operations environment,” Moore said.

The MPCs and MFRC were employed along with the 116th’s three infantry battalions during the culminating field training exercise near the end of the XCTC rotation.

There are also significant impacts to personnel unique to the National Guard as part of the transformation process. Lessons learned from Virginia are being shared with other states conducting transformation to mitigate impacts to Soldiers affected by inactivating units, he said.

The 229th and 2-183rd will begin the process of reassigning Soldiers and turning in equipment over the coming months until they case their unit colors in September 2026. Members of these units will be reassigned within the new MBCT force structure and to other units in the Virginia Army National Guard.

The 116th will continue on the path of transforming as a mobile brigade combat team with the addition of new equipment later this year and preparing for a Joint Readiness Training Center rotation in Summer 2026.

By Cotton Puryear | Virginia National Guard Public Affairs