PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — A 1981 graduate of Vergennes Union High School has become a one-star general in the U.S. Army.
Jeffrey A. Farnsworth was promoted to brigadier general March 13 in a ceremony at the Pentagon. His parents are Carol and Allen Farnsworth of Waltham.
Farnsworth is the deputy commanding general for operations at U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command (USASMDC/ARSTRAT).
“Vermont has a rich history of patriots and public servants advancing our interests as a nation,” he said. “The communities and people of Waltham, Vergennes, Ferrisburgh and Addison provided a great start. Growing up in the foothills of the Green Mountains along Lake Champlain where our nation was founded inspired my imagination and invoked my passion to explore the world and make a positive difference.”
USASMDC/ARSTRAT’s commanding general, Lt. Gen. David L. Mann, presided at the ceremony in the Pentagon’s Hall of Heroes. Farnsworth’s wife, Gabriele (“Gaby”), parents and Mann pinned on his new stars.
Gaby is originally from Munich, Germany, and married Jeff in Vergennes during the “snowstorm of the century” March 13, 1993. Allen and Carol Farnsworth still reside at Jeff’s boyhood home in Waltham just outside Vergennes. His brother, Paul, and sister-in-law, Jodi, live with their two children in East Middlebury.
As the “DCG-O,” Farnsworth assists Mann on all operational matters anywhere in the world. Based at the USASMDC/ARSTRAT Operational Command Post, Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., he provides oversight of the Army’s operational space and ballistic missile defense forces and other special operating units, which are assigned to U.S. Strategic Command. These forces are comprised of active, reserve and National Guard Soldiers in the 1st Space Brigade, 100th Missile Defense Brigade and other special operating units.
The 1st Space Brigade contributes to Department of Defense space capabilities that enable the Army and its coalition partners to fully exploit space services for missile warning, reconnaissance/surveillance, navigation and weapons guidance, tracking of forces, global communications and other services.
The 100th Missile Defense Brigade conducts operations under the control of U.S. Northern Command and provides the nation’s only limited defense against ballistic missile attack from North Korea.
“The Army is a major user and provider of space capabilities, so Jeff’s job is very important to the Department of Defense, the United States and our international partners and allies,” Mann said.
Other operating units in USASMDC/ARSTRAT conduct satellite communications operational planning and technical support; radar operations to characterize spacecraft and objects in space for situational awareness; and global Friendly Force Tracking services for the Defense Department, U.S. government agencies and allies.
Farnsworth also provides administrative oversight of the Army’s Astronaut Detachment and guides the Army Space Professional Development program.
“I owe my success to the great Soldiers and Civilians that I have had the honor to team with over the last 28 years,” he said. “Without their professionalism, perseverance and achievement I would not have this great honor. I will now seek to serve our Soldiers and Civilians around the world to better our position as an Army and nation from this position of greater influence that I am both humbled and honored to hold.”
Farnsworth holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Norwich University and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the Army War College in Carlisle, Pa.
USASMDC/ARSTRAT has space and missile forces based, forward-stationed or deployed in more than nine nations and in Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, California and Maryland. The command also conducts applied research and technology demonstrations and develops future capabilities for space, high altitude, missile defense, directed energy and cyber capabilities.