Webster takes command of Third Army

By USARCENT Public AffairsMay 4, 2009

Passing the Colors
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3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Pictured from left to right) Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Army chief of staff; Gen. David Petraeus, U.S. Central Command commanding general; Lt. Gen. James Lovelace, outgoing U.S. Army Central commanding general; and Lt. Gen. William G. Webster, incomi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Pictured from left to right) Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., CENTCOM Commander Gen. David Petraeus; Lt. Gen. William G. Webster, incoming U.S. Army Central commanding general, and Lt. Gen. James Lovelace, outgoing USARCENT commanding g... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT MCPHERSON, Ga. (May 4, 2009) -- Lt. Gen. William G. Webster took command of U.S. Army Central May 4, 2009.

"We are thrilled to be back with you in "Patton's Own" Third Army," said Webster. He served as the deputy commanding general of USARCENT from 2002-2003 when the unit was designated the Combined Forces Land Component Command for Operation Iraqi Freedom. Webster commented on how glad he was to be back with the unit and his future plans as the commander.

"We are glad to join a great team with great talent and potential. We will continue to build upon our strengths and meet all challenges to ensure that we remain ready to accomplish all our missions," Webster said. "We can accomplish anything if we stay focused on our missions; prepare Soldiers and families for what they must do; and build and maintain the strong bonds of teamwork."

Webster is a 34-year veteran of the Army who has commanded units at every level from platoon through division, and has twice commanded Army installations. A native of Baton Rouge, La. his previous assignment was as the deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command and vice commander of the U.S. Element, NORAD, headquartered at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo.

Webster's command will mark the end of U.S. Army Central's 62-year tenure at Fort McPherson, as he transfers the headquarters to Shaw Air Force Base in 2011 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure program.