Leadership

Col. Alexander Harlamor - Commander, 83rd TC
Command Sgt. Maj. Miguel Hernandez - CSM, 83rd TC

Year in Review - 2021

The 83rd Troop Command (TC) continues to be a versatile and talented organization, whose skill set allows its formations to take on any and all assigned missions. In Training Year 21, 83rd Troop Command performed at a high operational tempo, performing both stateside and OCONUS mobilizations. The command underwent significant force structure changes in 2021, gaining both of the state’s Security Forces Advisory Battalions, a Medical Company, and standing up a new Chemical Battalion, while overseeing the departure of the 146th Signal Battalion and 107th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. In all, the strength increased to over 2,000 Soldiers which consist of Special Forces, Aviation, Infantry, Engineers, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, and Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Teams (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive).

The 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Alpha Company successfully executed a combined, joint U.S. Air Force exercise in Alaska, simulating a near-peer conflict focused on air-to-air and air-toground combat. Alpha Company’s role in the exercise was to provide timely and accurate intelligence on Integrated Air Defense Systems while operating dismounted through the challenging terrain of Alaska. Charlie Company completed the year with a mobilization in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The company deployed in November and is expected to return in May 2022. Delta Company performed its support role throughout the year, providing signal and military intelligence support to both line companies and Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment for all training events. Additionally, various elements of the battalion mobilized throughout the state in support of Florida’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 1-111th General Support Aviation Battalion consists of eight companies with Soldiers from nine states (Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, Kansas, Tennessee and Illinois) with over 50 rotary aircraft and air traffic control assets. The battalion’s current role supports Heavy Lift, MEDEVAC, Air Assault, Aviation Unit Maintenance, Forward Support, and Air Traffic Controller operations. In 2020-21 DET 1, B CO 2-245th AVN deployed to Djibouti in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, flying over 2,200 hours and 150 missions transporting personnel and cargo throughout the region.

The 2-111th Aviation Regiment deployed to the Horn of Africa ISO Operation Enduring Freedom. The mission to AFRICOM committed the Airfield Operations Battalion to manage, evaluate, and assess multiple locations spread across thousands of miles. The AOB maintained three facilities in two countries while providing airfield support spanning over 3,100 miles of continental Africa.

The 44th and 48th Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Teams (WMD-CSTs) mission is to defend the Homeland from a WMD threat or attack. Comprised of 22 full-time Army and Air Guard service members, the CSTs are postured to respond 24/7/365 to conduct crisis and consequence management operations anywhere in the state or nation. The 44th and 48th CSTs mission requires both teams to work extensively with our Civilian Emergency Management (EM) partners.

The 2-54 and 3-54 Security Forces Advisory Battalions were stood up in 2018 and have quickly met all individual and collective training benchmarks, culminating in their successful validation during their 2021 Joint Readiness Training Center rotation, wherein both battalions were deemed fully operational and deployable.

The 868th and 870th Engineer Companies were integral to the State’s COVID-19 mobilization. The companies were responsible for establishing and maintaining various test sites throughout the state. The 870th performed admirably during its JRTC rotation, earning multiple individual awards at the command and tactical level. The 868th mobilized in September 2021 in support of the Southwest Border mission.

In summary, the 83rd Troop Command does things the RIGHT way, is always READY for state and federal missions and is exceptionally RELEVANT as evidenced by the large number of state and federal mobilizations supported. Florida First!