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News | Dec. 15, 2010

USASMDC/ARSTRAT Change of Command Ceremony

By John Cummings SMDC/ARSTRAT

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. - Lt. Gen. Richard P. Formica assumed command of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, during a ceremony conducted Dec.15. General Formica recently served as a Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff, United States Army, at the Pentagon. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, Army Vice Chief of Staff, hosted the ceremony.

""I accept today, without reservation, the responsibilities inherent in command of USASMDC/ARSTRAT and the Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense. To the dedicated talented, and selfless Soldiers, civilians and contractors of USASMDC/ARSTRAT and to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines and civilians of JFCC-IMD, my wife Diane and I are proud to join your teams,"" said General Formica. ""And we look forward to serving alongside you. ""

In a separate ceremony before the change of command, General Formica was promoted by General Chiarelli.

USASMDC/ARSTRAT conducts space and missile defense operations and provides planning, integration, control and coordination of Army forces and capabilities in support of U.S. Strategic Command missions (Strategic Deterrence, Integrated Missile Defense, Space Operations, and Cyberspace Operations); serves as the Army specified proponent for space, high altitude, and ground-based midcourse defense; serves as the Army operational integrator for global missile defense; and conducts mission-related research and development in support of Army Title 10 responsibilities.

General Formica served as a special assistant to the chief of staff, United States Army, from December 2009 until December 2010. He was the commander of the Combined Security Transition Command, Afghanistan, in Operation Enduring Freedom from December 2008 until November 2009.

Lt. Gen. Kevin T. Campbell leaves USASMDC/ARSTRAT after having served as commander since Dec. 18, 2006. Prior to USASMDC/ARSTRAT, he was the chief of staff at USSTRATCOM. General Campbell retires with more than 37 years active military service.