USAWHC HHBN Expanding Mission Across the Western Hemisphere

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion conducted a change of command at Marshall Hall on Fort Bragg, N.C., June 4, 2026. Lt. Col. Kristina L. Sanders took on the role of HHBN commander from Lt. Col. Patrick Barone.

The establishment of an HHBN for USAWHC is part of the new command's expanding responsibilities across the region, which oversees land forces from Northern territories from Alaska to Greenland through Central and South America. Maintaining a headquarters capable of deploying and executing missions across such a vast region on short notice requires more than a traditional staff structure. The HHBN helps ensure USAWHC remains ready to support operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.

For Barone, the outgoing HHBN commander, the battalion's growth mirrors the transformation of USAWHC into an operational Army Service Component Command. During the ceremony, Barone reflected on the organization's progress and the team that helped make it possible.

“The HHBN is the execution arm that moves both the staff and the contingency command post, including the tents, generators, vehicles, and mission command systems, so the headquarters can fight forward and do its job,†Barone said.

Activated in 2025, USAWHC supports U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command requirements while synchronizing Army operations, exercises and security cooperation activities across the hemisphere. As the command assumed its expanded role, leaders recognized the need for a battalion capable of managing readiness, deployment preparation and sustainment functions for a growing headquarters.

“In a few short months, the staff here in Marshall Hall slotted and accounted for hundreds of Soldiers within three different commands combined into one, transformed our civilian workforce, developed the framework for how U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command will function for years to come and established the plan for how to set the theater with the proper sustainment mechanisms to enable success throughout the area of operations,†Barone said.

The transformation required close collaboration across the command and its partners. Looking ahead, USAWHC is preparing to support major exercises and missions throughout the region.

“This ceremony is more than a simple changing of the guard; it is a symbol of continuity and a testament to the strength of this new command. The U.S. Army Western Hemisphere Command stands at the forefront of a transformative era for our Army, and this Headquarters Battalion is the engine that drives our mission forward,” Maj. Gen. Brian Miller, USAWHC Chief of Staff said.

Barone credited the Soldiers and civilians of HHBN for driving the organization's success. As Barone relinquished command, leadership passed to Sanders, who will build on the battalion's momentum.

“I am excited and honored to be your HHBN Commander,†Sanders said. “I look forward to building not only the HHBN team but also working with each staff directorate's leadership to make the overall USAWHC team ready, lethal, and to sustain the fight as a theater Army.”

Sanders’ focus on building a resilient and lethal team perfectly sets the stage for the command’s next chapter.

“The future is certainly bright for USAWHC,†Barone said. “And while these are all impressive feats in and of themselves, they're all truly just the beginning.â€