Recent concerns over the future of the Kwajalein facility's future has been compounded by recent budget and employee cuts as the U.S. Army's transformation scheme takes hold.
During a recent visit to USAKA, Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, Commanding General, U.S. Army Pacific, maintained the importance of the Kwajalein facility to U.S. security, calling it a "national treasure."
"As space becomes more important to our national defense, Kwajalein will play an even more important role in our national security," he said, according to the Kwajalein Hourglass newspaper.
The new USAKA commander, COL Clarke, who has served throughout the Middle East and Europe, has recently been attending the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Other recent assignments include serving as Battalion Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) in Hawaii from 2003 to 2005 and as Joint Planning Group Chief, in Germany from 2005 to 2007.
Also assuming a new assignment at Kwajalein is Sgt. Maj. Patrick A. Kutac. He became the first Sgt. Maj. at U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll following the Assumption of Responsibility Ceremony held July 3, in Island Memorial Chapel. Speaking at the ceremony, outgoing Commander Reed said that "USAKA had needed a Sgt. Maj. for some time."
- by Aenet Rowa, Yokwe Online, August 2, 2008
BACKGROUND
COL Frederick S. Clarke Commander
U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll
COL Frederick S. Clarke was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and graduated from The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina in 1985. A Distinguished Military Science Graduate, he received a regular Army commission into the Air Defense Artillery, with an initial assignment to 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense, 24th Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia. His assignments included: Chaparral Platoon Leader, Vulcan Executive Officer and Aide to the Assistant Division Commander from 1985 to 1989.
COL Clarke is a graduate of the Air Defense Officers Basic Course, the Short Range Air Defense Officers Course, Air Defense Advance Course, Hawk Missile Systems Course, Combined Arms and Service Staff College, Automation Systems Course, Command and General Staff College, The Joint Staff College and The Army War College.
In 1989, he joined a Special Operations Security Assistance Team and served as a Hawk Mobile Training Team Chief in the Middle East. Deploying with an all Arab Force on August 2, 1990, he served to defend National Critical Assets in the United Arab Emirates, Persian Gulf. He returned to Fort Bliss in 1993 and Commanded Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion (PATRIOT), 6th ADA Brigade. In 1995, he served in his functional specialty as the Automation Systems Officer in charge of the Regional Communications Service Center in the Netherlands. Follow on assignments included: 1998, Brigade Logistics Officer, 69th ADA Brigade, V Corps, in Giebelstadt, Germany; 1999-2001, Battalion Executive and Operations Officer of 5-7 ADA Battalion in Hanau, Germany; and 2001-2003, Joint Missile Defense Branch Chief, (Israel/NATO) European Command, Stuttgart, Germany. He deployed to Ankara, Turkey and served as the J3 Missile Defense Officer of Joint Task Force North in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He then served as Battalion Commander of Pohakuloa Training Area (PTA) on the Big Island of Hawaii from 2003- 2005. From 2005 to 2007, he went back to Europe and served as the Joint Planning Group Chief, United States Army Europe, G3, Heidelberg, Germany. His most recent assignment was attending the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
His civilian education includes a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies. He is also a graduate of the Organizational Leadership for Executives Course. His awards and decorations include: The Armed Services Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal 5th Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, 3rd Oak Leaf Cluster, and Airborne and Air Assault Badges. - SMDC/ARSTRAT, Reagan Test Site