United States Army Western Hemisphere Command

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U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command
United States Army Western Hemisphere Command SSI api.army.mil 2025 12 05 751x976px.png
USAWHC shoulder sleeve insignia
Active5 December 2025
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
BranchFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
Garrison/HQ Fort Bragg, North Carolina
NicknameAmerica's Theater Army
Website www.army.mil/USAWHC
Commanders
Commanding general GEN Joseph A. Ryan
Deputy Commanding General LTG Stephen G. Smith
Command Sergeant Major CSM Nema Mobar

The United States Army Western Hemisphere Command (USAWHC) is a four-star operational 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 Army operations across North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean. [1] . Pending full operational capability, the command will oversee local Army operations, defense of the US southern border, natural disaster response, [2] and general humanitarian assistance in the Western Hemisphere. [3] USAWHC was activated on 5 December 2025, at Fort Bragg in North Carolina. [4]

Contents

History

On 5 December 2025, the U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command (USAWHC) was activated. The USAWHC will replace the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). Effective the same date, the U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South were assigned to USAWHC, including their mission and resources. [5] The establishment of USAWHC is part of a larger reorganization effort by the Army to reduce its number of generals. [6] [ further explanation needed ]

When U.S. Army North and U.S. Army South conclude their Army service component command service to NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM respectively, USAWHC will become the army component of both NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM. [5] The USAWHC reports directly to Headquarters, Department of the Army. [5]

USAWHC will reach its initial operational capability in February 2026, and the command is expected to be fully operational by the summer of 2026. [4] According to a memo from Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, the U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), U.S. Army North, and U.S. Army South will inactivate on 15 October 2026. [7]

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. [5] The III Armored Corps has been assigned to U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF), and I Corps has been assigned to U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC). [5] [7]

The command will also take charge of the PANAMAX and Vigilant Shield exercises. [2] 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. [2]

Organization

Subordinate units

Source(s): [5] [ additional citation(s) needed ]

Insignia

USAWHC shoulder sleeve insignia United States Army Western Hemisphere Command SSI api.army.mil 2025 12 05 751x976px.png
USAWHC shoulder sleeve insignia

The shoulder sleeve insignia of USAWHC was approved by the Army's Institute of Heraldry. [8] 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. [9]

Leadership

The first commander of USAWHC is Gen. Joseph A. Ryan. The command sergeant major of USAWHC is CSM Nema Mobar. [10]

List of commanding generals

No.Commanding GeneralTerm
PortraitNameTook officeLeft officeTerm length
As U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command
1
General Joseph Ryan.jpg
General
Joseph A. Ryan 		5 December 2025Incumbent3 days

References

  1. ↑ "2025 Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) Force Structure and Organizational Proposals: Background and Issues for Congress". Congressional Research Service. 2025. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Nieberg, Patty (5 December 2025). "In major restructure, Army stands up new Western Hemisphere Command". Task & Purpose. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  3. ↑ Britzky, Haley (5 December 2025). "Army merges three commands in move to prioritize homeland defense | CNN Politics". CNN. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  4. 1 2 "US Army activates Western Hemisphere Command in historic transition ceremony". www.army.mil. 5 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Establishment of the United States Army Western Hemisphere Command" (PDF). armypubs.army.mil. Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA). 2 December 2025. General Order No. 2025-24. Retrieved 7 December 2025– via Army Publishing Directorate.
  6. ↑ Dickstein, Corey (5 December 2025). "Army shutters largest command in favor of new 4-star organization for Western Hemisphere". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  7. 1 2 Sampson, Eve (5 December 2025). "Army stands up Western Hemisphere Command in major force restructure". Military Times. Retrieved 6 December 2025.
  8. ↑ PFC Fischer, Alexis (5 December 2025). "U.S. Army activates U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command in Historic Transition Ceremony". www.dvidshub.net. Retrieved 7 December 2025. The (...) U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command patch [was] approved by The Institute of Heraldry effective Nov. 20, 2025(.)
  9. ↑ "About Us | Western Hemisphere Command". www.army.mil/usawhc. Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
  10. ↑ "Leadership | Western Hemisphere Command". www.army.mil/usawhc. Archived from the original on 7 December 2025. Retrieved 7 December 2025.
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