Army Launches Western Hemisphere Command Overhaul
In a sweeping realignment of U.S. military strategy, the Army has announced the establishment of a new Western Hemisphere Command, marking one of the most significant structural changes in decades. As reported in the Military Times article, “Army stands up Western Hemisphere Command in major force restructure,” published on December 5, 2025, the move aims to enhance regional readiness and streamline operations across the Americas amid evolving global threats.
The newly formed command, dubbed ARWH or Army Western Hemisphere Command, will be based at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. It is expected to consolidate operational oversight for U.S. Army activities throughout North, Central, and South America, as well as the Caribbean. Army officials say the consolidation is designed to improve coordination with partner nations, respond more effectively to regional contingencies, and reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies found in the current structure.
Previously, operations in the Western Hemisphere were divided among various commands under U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). By placing all Army activities in these regions under a single headquarters, military leaders hope to improve strategic cohesion while reducing redundancies in command and control.
Lt. Gen. Maria Castillo, tapped to lead ARWH, emphasized the importance of maintaining strong relationships with allied militaries across the region. “Our partnerships in this hemisphere have strategic value that cannot be overstated,” Castillo said during a Pentagon briefing. “This command will ensure we are better postured to support humanitarian missions, counter-narcotics efforts, and defense partnerships throughout the Americas.”
Officials also noted that the new structure will give priority to emerging challenges such as climate-related disasters, cyber threats, transnational criminal organizations, and the growing presence of peer competitors like China and Russia in Latin America. Analysts say the shift reflects a broader Department of Defense effort to recalibrate global force posture in light of increasing multipolarity and regional instability.
The initial headquarters staff is expected to include several hundred personnel, many of whom will transition from existing structures without an overall increase in force size. Full operational capability is projected by mid-2026. While some critics have raised concerns about potential overlap with existing commands, Army officials argue the reform is essential to meet 21st-century security demands more cohesively.
U.S. lawmakers have largely welcomed the decision, with the House Armed Services Committee issuing a statement of support, calling the move “a necessary evolution of force structure to meet the strategic imperatives of the Western Hemisphere.”
As geopolitical dynamics continue to evolve, the establishment of the Army Western Hemisphere Command represents a notable pivot in U.S. military priorities—signaling a renewed focus on hemisphere-centric threats and alliances once considered secondary to near-peer adversaries elsewhere.
