On the left is Col. John E. Cardwell, incoming acting commander of the 9th Mission Support Command as he takes the 9th MSC Flag from Maj. Gen. William G. Beard, Deputy Commanding General for U.S. Army Reserve , U.S. Army Pacific during the 9th MSC Change of Command Ceremony, held Saturday at Ft. Shafter, Hawai’i.

Cardwell takes over the post from out-going Commander, Brig. Gen. Michelle G. Compton, who served for the last 31 months. The 9th MSC oversees Army Reserve units in Hawai’i, Japan, Korea, Alaska and the U.S. Pacific territories, which includes American Samoa.  Compton, during her tenure, visited American Samoa a few times.

Cardwell, a native of Loudon, Tenn. comes to Hawaii from the 84th Training Command, Fort Knox, Ky. where he served as the chief of staff.