32nd changes command
Mahon moves in while McCabe heads east

Master Sgt. Steve Miller
32nd AAMDC Public Affairs

Pfc. Jessika Greendeer

Brig. Gen. Francis Mahon, commander of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, leads members of his staff as they pass in review Friday during the unit’s change of command ceremony at Noel Field.

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Master Sgt. Steve Miller
32nd AAMDC Public Affairs

Brig. Gen. Francis Mahon assumed command of the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command during a change of command ceremony Friday at Noel Field.

Gen. Dan K. McNeill, commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command, headquartered at Fort McPherson, Ga., hosted the ceremony.

Mahon, who had served as the deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery Center and Fort Bliss since July 2004, succeeded Brig. Gen. Richard McCabe. McCabe leaves Fort Bliss to become the program manager of the Saudi Arabian National Guard modernization program.

McNeill lauded McCabe, his Soldiers and Fort Bliss as a whole for their roles in the war on terrorism.

“Thanks for two years of noble leadership, for doing things well and doing what’s right,” McNeill said of McCabe. “You will be remembered for leadership that was focused on Soldiers and families. The work you and your Soldiers have done in the Pacific (Korea) and (homeland defense of) the National Capital Region will be your legacy. The history Fort Bliss will be known for is yet to be made. The Army has great plans for this place. It will play a key role in the Army of tomorrow.”

McCabe quoted former General of the Armies John J. “Blackjack” Pershing, commander of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe during World War I, in part because “Blackjack” is the motto for the 32nd AAMDC.

“No commander was ever privileged to lead a finer force. No commander ever derived greater inspiration from the performance of his troops,” McCabe said, his voice wavering, after recounting the successes the 32nd and its subordinate elements have had during its missions in Korea, Europe, the Middle East and the National Capital Region. “These Soldiers are more lethal, more agile and better joint partners on the battlefield. They get the job done wherever and whenever they are asked to.”

Mahon pledged his commitment to answer the challenges of the nation the 32nd faces during his tenure.
“It’s a great honor to be part of something greater than oneself – to again stand in front of Soldiers,” Mahon said. “Rick, I’ve got the azimuth you’ve set, and to our great Soldiers, I look forward to facing and overcoming the challenges of the future.”

Mahon has commanded Fort Bliss units on two previous occasions. He served as the commander of 3rd Bn., 43rd ADA, from May 1995 through July 1997 and commanded the 11th ADA Bde. from July 2000 through July 2002. He also served Fort Bliss as the chief of the intelligence branch at the Directorate for Combat Developments from April 1988 through June 1990.

Mahon received his commission in 1979 through the University of Delaware’s ROTC program, earning a Bachelor’s degree in accounting and auditing. He also holds a Master’s degree from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif., where he studied communication and control.

Mahon’s first six years of service were split with tours in the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo., and the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. He went on to serve two tours in Germany as an operations officer, first in Bitburg with the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, and later with the 94th ADA Bde. in Kaiserslautern.
Mahon’s senior level staff experience includes a joint assignment as a missile defense planner with the Force Structure, Resources and Assessment directorate on the joint staff in Washington, D.C.

Mahon is a graduate of the Army War College, the Army Command & General Staff College, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Armor Advanced Course and the ADA Basic Course. His decorations include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Joint Staff Achievement Medal.

Mahon is married to the former Elizabeth McGowan, and the two have four children: Elizabeth, Kathleen, Mary and Francis.