USARPAC welcomes two new stars

Military and community leaders, Soldiers, family and friends gathered to welcome the new U.S. Army Pacific Chief of Staff, Brig. Gen. Todd McCaffrey, and Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve, USARPAC, Brig. Gen. Brian Alvin, during a Flying "V" Ceremony at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, Oct. 7.

The Flying "V" ceremony officially welcomes and honors senior Army officials as they assume their duties or depart from USARPAC. The ceremony's name refers to the way the colors are posted, which is V-shaped.

Gen. Vincent Brooks, USARPAC commanding general, hosted the ceremony and welcomed both honorees with the Aloha spirit into the One Team Family.

"It's always good to gather here, especially when we have the occasion of welcoming new players to our team and new families to our USARPAC Ohana," said Brooks. "Today, we're welcoming two generals from different parts of our bench and each brings a family and deep well of experiences that will surely benefit the U.S. Army Pacific and the joint team, U.S. Pacific Command."

Brooks said that he anticipated McCaffrey and Alvin to be exceptional leaders and to make an impact throughout the Pacific region.

McCaffrey comes to USARPAC with more than 28 years of service stating that he was ready to take on the role of USARPAC Chief of Staff.

"First I want to thank Gen. Brooks for allowing me to serve as his Chief of Staff," said McCaffrey. "Sir, I appreciate your confidence and look forward to helping you advance your vision for this command. As you have pointed out, this is a theater of both immense complexity and great opportunity. I recognize how privileged we are to serve here during this period of renewed Army attention to the Pacific and the historic threads of continuity that renewal demonstrates to our partner nations and sister service components."

Alvin comes to USARPAC filling two positions. He will take over as the new Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve, USARPAC and become the first USARPAC general officer to fill the new position, Director of Army Reserve Engagement Cell.

"I'm honored to be here to serve as the Deputy Commanding General, U.S. Army Reserve and Director of the first Army Reserve Engagement Cell in the U.S. Army Reserve--a key global role that provides a flexible well-trained force of enablers to support USARPAC with the capabilities to meet the needs of an increasingly challenging dynamic Indo-Asian Pacific region," said Alvin. "This is an exciting time to serve in the Pacific and I am truly honored to join this team of professionals and experts."

He also stated that the Army Reserve makes up about 20 percent of the Army's organized units, but provides 50 percent of the Army's combat enablers and 25 percent of mobilization-base expansion capabilities.

McCaffrey and Alvin come to USARPAC with a combined total of more than 50 years of experience, both of them stated they were ready for the challenges ahead.

"The strength of our Army is our Soldiers," said Brooks. "The strength of our Nation is our Army. The strength of our Soldiers is our families. Now these things together are what make our Army strong. A benefit of being Army Strong is having and extraordinary bench of talented leaders upon whom we can call to move into challenging positions while making the Army even stronger--even better."

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