Layfield takes command of Joint Warfighting Center, joint training
Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Layfield assumed command of U.S. Joint Forces Command's Joint Warfighting Center and duties as USJFCOM's director of joint training in a ceremony Oct. 16.
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By Army Sgt. Josh LeCappelain
USJFCOM Public Affairs
(SUFFOLK, Va., - Oct. 16, 2009) -- Army Maj. Gen. Stephen Layfield assumed command of U.S. Joint Forces Command's (USJFCOM) Joint Warfighting Center (JWFC) and responsibility as director of joint training, USJFCOM during a ceremony here today.
Layfield and his staff will ensure U.S.-based forces are prepared for and capable of conducting multi-service and multinational operations. The JWFC/Joint Training Directorate (J7) manages programs that train personnel and organizations from all services for joint operations. The directorate also assists with real-world contingency planning.
Layfield thanked his predecessor, Army Maj. Gen. Jason Kamiya, for making the transition seamless and easy for him and his wife, Vicky.
"To the entire Joint Forces Command team: We're happy to be on it. We're proud to be on it," Layfield said. "We look forward to meeting and working with each and every one of you."
The ceremony marked Kamiya's retirement after 33 years of service. Kamiya assumed command of JWFC in July 2006.
Marines Corps Gen. James Mattis, USJFCOM commander, called Kamiya the definition of patriot, leader, soldier and shipmate, as well as a "man of absolute integrity."
"If I wanted to come up with good ideas for Joint Forces Command, usually all I had to do was read one of those emails that came out (from Kamiya) and say 'that's the way the command is going to go,'" said Mattis, who praised the entire JWFC and J7 staffs for their effort under Kamiya. "This jewel of an organization … went out and made an impact around the world and built confidence in our deployed forces that they were at the top of their game; not just tactically, not just operationally, [but] also ethically. In this world, that can not be overemphasized."
During his tenure, Kamiya and his staff prepared joint forces for deployment to southwest Asia in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom as well as operations in the Horn of Africa. Every U.S.-led joint task force executing wartime functions has benefited from USJFCOM's training programs which Kamiya oversaw.
Kamiya launched the stand-up of the National Program for Small-Unit Excellence, designed to develop more cohesive, resilient and adaptive small units.
The JWFC revolutionized joint training proceses, systems, capabilities and doctrine in order to meet the demands of military, coalition forces and civilian partners during Kamiya's tenure.
"There are still campaigns to be fought and brought to optimal outcomes, and still U.S. and multinational service members and their civilian colleagues being killed and wounded," Kamiya said. "There is much, much more work to be done and I will miss the thrill and excitement of working with all of you, but I leave knowing that the joint training community is in enormously capable hands."
Layfield most recently served as the commander of U.S. Army Alaska at Fort Richardson, Alaska. He also served as International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) deputy commander for security during Operation Enduring Freedom and has commanded at the company, battalion and brigade levels.
His previous joint assignments include service with the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C., Allied Command Europe Rapid Reaction Corps in Germany, and ISAF in Afghanistan.
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