Photo By Julianne Sympson | U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott Stearney, Commander of the Joint Enabling Capabilities...... read more read more
NORFOLK, Va. — On Aug. 15, the Joint Planning Support Element held a change of command ceremony during which U.S. Army Col. Michael Corson relinquished command to U.S. Air Force Col. Timothy Sundvall. Corson served as the first commander of the JPSE, officially established as a subordinate joint command of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command in July 2011.
The commander of the JECC, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott A. Stearney, who also presided over the change of command, mentioned the unique capabilities JPSE provides to the joint force commander and how Corson has helped to hone the skills sets of the command over the past year.
“Colonel Corson has taken the Joint Planning Support Element on a new path of excellence,” he stated. “He has helped to create a capability that is quickly becoming the gold standard of planning in the Department of Defense.”
JPSE is one of the JECC’s three subordinate joint commands that can respond to an emerging crisis or contingency mission within hours of notification to bridge joint operational requirements. JPSE provides rapidly deployable, tailored, ready, joint planners, operators, logisticians, knowledge managers and intelligence specialist in order to accelerate the formation and increase the effectiveness of newly formed joint force headquarters.
Under Corson’s leadership the last 12 months, JPSE has participated in numerous real world operations and exercises for each of the geographic combatant commands, including notable deployments in support of U.S. Africa Command during Operation Odyssey Guard.
For over six months, two teams of JPSE planners deployed to both USAFRICOM headquarters and U.S. Army Africa, a component command of USAFRICOM, to support parallel planning efforts during the U.S.-only operations in response to the civil unrest in Libya. The first team, which integrated with USAFRICOM’s Future Plans directorate, developed key concepts of operations and other planning efforts to safeguard materials of concern and continue support to the incumbent Libyan government.
A second team of JPSE planners deployed to USARAF, shortly after it was designated as Joint Task Force – Odyssey Guard, to fill key roles on the JTF staff. JPSE members assisted in JTF-OG’s main efforts, such as the re-establishment of the U.S. Embassy in Libya, by leading operational planning teams and providing joint operational planning expertise.
During the change of command which also served as his retirement ceremony, Corson expressed his gratitude for those who have supported and encouraged him throughout his military career, especially those members of the JECC and JPSE.
“I am grateful to so many who have guided, led and supported me throughout my journey,” he said. “The friendships and camaraderie of those at the JECC have made my time here all the more memorable.”
Sundvall takes command of JPSE following completion of a master’s degree at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
A native of Sisters, Ore., Sundvall is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy where he earned his commission. A command pilot with over 2,300 hours in F-16s and T-37s, Sundvall has served overseas tours at Misawa Air Base, Japan and Kunsan Air Base, Korea. He has completed two staff tours; two years at the Pentagon on the Headquarters Air Force Staff in the Concepts, Strategy and Wargaming Division and two years at U.S. Pacific Command as the Chief of Northeast Asia Plans. Sundvall commanded the 8th Operations Support Squadron on his second tour at Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, from July 2008 to July 2009.
Sundvall has received additional master’s degrees from the Air Force Institute of Technology and the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal, the Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters and the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Joining Sundvall in the Norfolk area are his wife, Laura and their four children, Kyle, Kade, Skyler and Quinn.
| Date Taken: | 08.15.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 08.16.2012 09:59 |
| Story ID: | 93323 |
| Location: | NAVAL STATION NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 273 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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