FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (August 4, 2011)--As the community comes together to celebrate the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell during the Week of the Eagles, it will also say farewell to Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, the division and installation’s commanding general. After spending two years here, he is headed to Washington, D.C.
“The job that I’m going to, what they call the Army G3/5/7, I’ll be in charge of all the operations,” said Campbell. “I’ll have daily contact with the Chief of Staff of the Army and hopefully be able to take what I’ve learned here and impact the greater Army…I’ll make sure that I provide my best input to the new chief if he is confirmed, Gen. [Raymond] Odierno.”
His time as commanding general was the first time Campbell was stationed at Fort Campbell. He’d heard about the installation and visited for training missions, but was never here for more than a short time.
“I’d heard a lot about it,” said Campbell. “I’ve heard about the great communities. I knew about the 101st; about its storied tradition. Coming here and just living it has been…[I’ve been] living a legend here and a dream come true. I’ve been very, very happy. I’ve been trying to stay here longer, as Eagle 6 for life, but that’s not gaining a lot of traction so I must move on.”
As Eagle 6, he led the division and other forces in Combined Joint Task Force-101 in Afghanistan for one year. He returned from that mission in May and is proud of what the Soldiers accomplished and felt they took part in a noble mission.
“The Soldiers did incredible things…in a very noble mission and they made a difference every single day for the Afghan people,” said Campbell. “You could see it on the faces of the people they interacted with. They increased the capacity and [capability] of the Afghan security forces. They made a huge difference over there.”
“What the Soldiers did every single day, working with their counterparts and working with the people was pretty huge,” he added. “They were involved in the surge and they really applied resources in Afghanistan that we’ve never had over there before. I think history will show you it was a turning point for Afghanistan and the 101st was a part of it.”
He went on to explain he was very proud of what the Soldiers accomplished and that it came at great sacrifice. He carries two stacks of index cards, each more than an inch thick, with the names, photos and information about the Soldiers under his command who lost their lives in Afghanistan. More than 130 are 101st Soldiers and 95 came from the brigades attached to them.
“[More than] 220 plus paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Campbell. “That doesn’t even go into and talk about the number that were wounded and changed their lives forever. We can never forget their sacrifice.
It came at a great price and we want to make sure everything they did, they didn’t do in vain. I feel pretty confident the Soldiers feel the same way and they made a difference over there. I feel very blessed I’ve had the opportunity to serve in combat with this division.”
Campbell is modest when recapping his time here as the commanding general and being a part of the division’s history.
“I feel very humbled and very honored to have the opportunity to command and to command in combat,” said Campbell. “You look at the people who were heroes of mine, [Richard] Cody, [Thomas R.] Turner [II], David Petraeus, [William F.] ‘Buck’ Kernan, the list goes on and on, and you walk down the hallway and see those guys that have held the title ‘Eagle 6’. I feel just very honored to have been given that opportunity. It’s kind of neat. That’s why I don’t want to go to Washington, D.C.”
Part of what makes this a command he doesn’t want to leave is the community.
He explained the support of the surrounding communities here at Fort Campbell is not something you always see at other places.
The hospitality of community is a part of what he and his wife Ann have enjoyed about being stationed at Fort Campbell.
“What makes it so special an area are a couple of things,” said Campbell. “One is the community and all around Fort Campbell; Oak Grove, Hopkinsville or Clarksville. The people reach out; they make you feel very comfortable and a part of the community. Sixty plus percent of our guys live off-post, in the community. They go to all the churches, the schools, Boys Scouts, Girl Scouts, the sports so we are a part of the community. Having a community that accepts you like that is very good.”
“On-post is really neat,” added Campbell. “It’s a unique place with two different states and great, great training areas. The Soldiers here…there’s just something special about them. They make you want to come to work every single day. It’s just been a joy and really very humbling to be associated with them.”
Among the memories and experiences he takes with him will be re-enlisting 236 Rakkasan Soldiers on Oct. 20, 2010.
A majority re-enlisted to stay at Fort Campbell. He will also remember his trips to visit his Wounded Warriors battling their injuries.
“Every time I would go to Walter Reed or [Brooke Army Medical Center] down in San Antonio and see a Soldier, it would stand out just to remind me how great our guys are,” said Campbell. “They always want to get back to their unit.”
In addition to the Soldiers, Campbell has been impressed by their Families.
“The resiliency of not only our Soldiers, but our Families is just pretty incredible,” he said. “We take for granted a lot of the things our Families do for us and we can’t do that. I think the bond the Families have, the bond the Soldiers have is unlike any place I’ve been to in 32 years in the Army.”
Campbell thanked the Soldiers of Fort Campbell for what they do; calling them “quiet professionals” and explaining they often don’t take credit for what they accomplish.
“I just want them to know they are doing pretty incredible things,” said Campbell. “Only one half of one percent of our nation is serving in the military at a time of war with an all volunteer force and what they’re doing is pretty unique. It’s very noble. They ought to know what they’re doing is critical; it’s important; it’s making a difference; it’s keeping people safe back here in the United States.”
“We’re living in the most dangerous times of our lives I think,” he added. “The only inconvenience people see is when they go to the airport or something [similar]. That’s because they have great young men and women everyday that put this uniform on and prepare themselves mentally and physically to do our nation’s bidding and we can never take that for granted.”
It is all experience and knowledge he hopes to take with him to Washington, D.C.
He hopes to make others aware of the achievements of the Soldiers and Families at Fort Campbell and to use what he has gained to make an impact on the Army as a whole.
The public is welcome to attend his change of command ceremony Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the Division Parade Field. The ceremony also marks the end of the Week of the Eagles festivities.
Those needing a visitor’s pass should arrive at Gate 7 with a valid driver’s license, insurance and registration. Those interested in attending should arrive early, as parking will be limited.
Social Sharing