| William B. Caldwell IV | |
|---|---|
Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell |
|
| Born | Columbus, Georgia |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1976–present |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Commands held | CSC, 1st Battalion, 505th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division B Company, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, 1st Armored Division 4th Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division (Light) 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (Light) 82nd Airborne Division U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas Commander, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan and Commander, Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan United States Army North |
| Battles/wars | Operation Just Cause Operation Restore Hope/Restore Democracy Operation Desert Shield/Storm Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star |
William B. Caldwell, IV is a United States Army Lieutenant General who served as the Commander, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, as well as, Commanding General, Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan. In October, 2011 he was nominated to command United States Army North.[1] The appointment was confirmed in December, 2011.[2]
In Afghanistan Caldwell replaced Major General Richard P. Formica who was subsequently nominated for Army Space and Missile Defense Command. At United States Army North Caldwell replaced Guy C. Swan III, who retired.[3] Lieutenant General Caldwell previously served as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and oversaw the Command and General Staff College and seventeen other schools, centers and training programs.[4]
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Originally from Columbus, Georgia, Caldwell's family moved frequently because his father was in the military and retired as Fifth Army Commander. During Caldwell's early childhood, his father was stationed at the United States Military Academy. Growing up there gave him a chance to interact with West Point cadets, who helped teach some youth sports teams, which deeply influenced him:
"I found that I just really had a great respect and admiration for the cadets at the academy. I thought, 'Boy, I'd love to do something like that one day.' Then with time, I thought I'd like to serve in the armed forces, and so that led me to apply for the military academy.[5] "
Caldwell attended attended the SHAPE American High School at SHAPE,[6] Belgium followed by Hargrave Military Academy,[7] a military high school in Chatham Virginia. From there, he was accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. After graduation from West Point in 1976, Caldwell served in posts throughout the country and overseas. He continued his education with a master's degree in systems technology from the U. S. Naval Post Graduate School and then a master of military arts and sciences from the School for Advanced Military Studies which is part of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Lt. Gen. Caldwell has also attended the John F. Kennedy School of Government and Harvard University as a Senior Service College Fellow.
Caldwell learned early on that the military required him to be flexible and ready for new challenges. One month prior to leaving his battalion command position in the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii, for example, his commanding general sent him to Haiti to work as his political-military liaison in the U.S. Embassy during Operation Uphold Democracy in the mid-1990s.
Caldwell took his communications, intelligence and operations cells and worked in the embassy for six months. "I gave up command, formed this organization and took off to go work in an American embassy, which I'd never done in my life", he recalled. "In fact, I'm not even sure I'd ever been in an American embassy overseas in my life. I literally started from scratch."
After his tour in Haiti, he commanded the 1st Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, at Fort Drum, New York. He worked in the Office of the Director for Strategic Plans and Policy on the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, and later served as the executive assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Caldwell's duties once again tested his readiness and flexibility after the September 11 attacks in 2001. During this time, Caldwell was serving as deputy director for operations, U.S. Pacific Command, Hawaii. The command's focus shifted from regional war plans to the global war on terrorism.
The headquarters changed to a 24-7 operations center, Caldwell said. "So, instead of having a cell of about six or eight people that worked 24-7, we now had a cell of about 50 people that worked 24-7.[5]"
The operation required reserve component personnel to play a crucial role, the general noted. "They were indispensable in the execution of our operations in the Pacific, absolutely indispensable", he said. "They brought a wealth of knowledge that a lot of our folks who had just come in for the first time in the command did not have. So they proved their weight in gold."
In July 2002, Caldwell was assigned as senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense. In this position he served his boss during the preparation, execution, and follow on for Operation Iraqi Freedom and other aspects of the global war on terrorism.
From May 2004 until June 2006, Caldwell served as the Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division. As the division commander, Caldwell oversaw countless deployments by the units under his command to both Afghanistan and Iraq.
The 82nd Airborne's 3rd Brigade and Division Artillery along with supporting units deployed to support search-and-rescue and security operations in New Orleans, Louisiana after the city was flooded by Hurricane Katrina in September 2005. In all, 3,600 paratroopers commanded by Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, operated out of New Orleans International Airport under Task Force All-American. The division helped evacuate 6,000 residents, treat 1,352 people, and cleared 185 city blocks of debris.[8]
Following his command of the 82nd, Caldwell was assigned as Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Effects and spokesperson for the Multi-National Force – Iraq, a position he held for 13 months. During his deployment to Iraq, Caldwell earned the respect and admiration of both national and international media for his candid assessments of the situation in Iraq and for his responsiveness to the needs of the press.[4]
Caldwell was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general in June 2007 and served as the Commanding General of the Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. As the Commanding General for the Combined Arms Center, he has responsibility for the Command and General Staff College and 17 other schools, centers, and training programs throughout the United States.
The Combined Arms Center is also responsible for: development of the Army’s doctrinal manuals, training of the Army’s commissioned and non-commissioned officers, oversight of major collective training exercises, integration of battle command systems and concepts, and supervision of the Army’s Center for the collection and dissemination of lessons learned. He is currently serving as the Commander, NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan, as well as, Commanding General, Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan.
Caldwell assumed command of the NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan (NTM-A)/Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan (CSTC-A) on November 21, 2009. Prior to the activation of NTM-A at that time, CSTC-A was a two-star command headed by then Major General Richard Formica. Elevating the Afghan training mission to a three-star command reflected the increased priority placed on training the Afghan National Security Force (ANSF) as part of President Barack Obama’s Afghan “Surge.” It also ensured unity of effort and purpose while helping secure and disperse funding for building all levels of the ANSF.[9]
After securing additional trainers and funding, the reorganization efforts at NTM-A began showing results. Less than a year after Caldwell took command, NTM-A trained an additional 68,000 soldiers for the Afghan National Army and 35,000 for the Afghan National Police.[10] These additions increased the size of the army to more than 144,000 and the police 115,000 by early November 2010.[11] By early 2011, the ANSF totaled nearly 300,000—just short of the level authorized by the Afghan Government and the United States Congress of 305,000.[12] Despite its success, NTM-A still faces a trainer shortfall, particularly regarding specialized trainers such as helicopter mechanics, medical personnel and intelligence specialists, among others. According to a Washington Post article, Caldwell was optimistic about Canada’s plans to contribute more trainers but maintained more were needed to staff new police training centers, air mentor teams, and medical trainers.[13]
In 2010, while NTM-A ensured the continued increase in the quantity of the ANSF, increasing the quality of training and the soldiers and police fielded was of particular concentration. In 2011, the priorities changed to building sustainability and professionalism into the ANSF while continuing to add overall numbers.[14] As part of this effort, NTM-A is embarking on a screening process for all ANSF personnel to ensure Taliban and criminal elements have not infiltrated the force. Comprehensive screening will augment other recruiting vetting processes that began in 2009.[15] Although creating the enabling organizations and institutions that characterize a modern army, such as staff colleges for officers and NCOs, logistical branches and administrative capabilities, U.S. Congressional leaders and Department of Defense officials praised NTM-A for its accomplishments over the last year.
Caldwell's efforts in Afghanistan have received praise from figures in the military and government, including Senator Carl Levin, United States Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and Admiral Mike Mullen.[16]