United States Army Forces Command

United States Army Forces Command. It is the largest Army Service Component Command of the United States Army and serves as the primary force provider of combat-ready land forces to U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, U.S. Southern Command, and U.S. Africa Command. Headquartered at Fort Liberty in North Carolina, it commands all active Army Reserve and Army National Guard conventional forces within the Continental United States. The command is responsible for organizing, training, and preparing these forces for deployment and employment worldwide.

History

The command was established on 1 July 1973 at Fort McPherson, Georgia, consolidating the former Continental Army Command and United States Army Combat Developments Command. Its creation was part of a major post-Vietnam War reorganization of the United States Department of Defense. Throughout the Cold War, it focused on preparing forces for potential conflict with the Soviet Union, notably during exercises like REFORGER. Following the Gulf War, it underwent significant transformation, managing the post-Cold War drawdown and later leading the Army's force generation model in response to the September 11 attacks and subsequent War in Afghanistan and Iraq War. In 2011, its headquarters relocated from Fort McPherson to its current home at Fort Liberty.

Organization

The command is organized under the United States Department of the Army and reports directly to the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Its structure includes three core components: the active Army, represented by units like III Corps and XVIII Airborne Corps; the United States Army Reserve, commanded by the United States Army Reserve Command; and the Army National Guard, coordinated through the Army National Guard Readiness Center. Key subordinate formations include First United States Army, which focuses on training and readiness of reserve component forces, and the Security Force Assistance Command, which manages advisor missions. The command also oversees several Training and Doctrine Command schools and centers, such as the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson.

Mission and responsibilities

Its primary mission is to provide combat-ready, expeditionary land forces to the geographic combatant commands. This involves the full spectrum of training, from individual soldier readiness to large-scale joint and combined exercises with allies like NATO. The command executes the Army Force Generation model, cycling units through phases of reset, train, and readiness for deployment. It is responsible for homeland defense missions in support of United States Northern Command, including response to natural disasters and other domestic crises through Defense Support of Civil Authorities. Additionally, it manages the readiness and mobilization of all Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve units.

Component commands

Major subordinate commands include several Corps and Divisions. III Corps, "Phantom Corps," headquartered at Fort Cavazos, serves as the primary armored corps. XVIII Airborne Corps, "Sky Dragons," based at Fort Liberty, is the Army's strategic contingency corps. Key divisions include the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss, the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Cavazos, the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, and the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell. Other major components are United States Army Reserve Command, First United States Army, Security Force Assistance Command, and the Army National Guard Readiness Center.

List of commanders

Commanders have historically been four-star generals. Notable past commanders include General Creighton Abrams, for whom the M1 Abrams tank is named, who served as its first commander. General John W. Foss led the command during the Gulf War. General Frederick M. Franks Jr. commanded during the post-Cold War drawdown. General Larry R. Ellis oversaw forces during the early stages of the Iraq War. General Charles C. Campbell commanded during the height of the War in Afghanistan. More recent commanders have included General Robert B. Abrams, son of Creighton Abrams, and General Michael X. Garrett. The commander also traditionally serves as the Commander, Joint Task Force-North for homeland defense missions.