New York’s historic 42nd Infantry Division welcomes new commander

FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pennsylvania - The Soldiers, families, and friends of the New York National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division welcomed their new commanding general during a change of command ceremony here Nov. 18, 2024.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Jack James assumed command of the Troy, New York-based division from Maj. Gen. Joseph Biehler.

"Today, we welcome back Maj. Gen. Jack James to the division as the new division commander," said Maj. Gen. Raymond Shields, the adjutant general of New York. "Jack served here for a while as the deputy commanding general. The great Soldiers of the 42nd Inf. Div. deserve the best leader we can find, and you were the right leader for this organization."

James, a career aviation officer who has served in multiple command positions throughout his career, comes to the Rainbow Division from the 53rd Troop Command, where he served as the unit's commanding general since December 2023.

As New York's senior military officer, Shields oversaw the ceremony and ceremonially passed the unit's flag, or colors, from one commander to another, signifying the end of Biehler's command and the start of James' responsibility as the division's commanding general.

"What an incredible honor to command the 42nd Infantry Division, Rainbow; it's really something else," James said to the ceremony's attendees. "I'm honored and thrilled to serve as your commander. This is a privilege and a responsibility of a lifetime. I accept this task with deep gratitude and cognizant of the many tasks ahead."

The division and key staff from subordinate brigades across multiple states are at Fort Indiantown Gap conducting training during the unit's command post exercise III. The exercise simulates forces and events to focus on the command and control of unit commanders and staff. CPX III will lead into the division's Warfighter exercise early next year, further testing the command post's abilities and better preparing the headquarters for future operations.

"Our mission is clear; we're here at Fort Indiantown Gap for command post exercise III, a critical milestone that will help us further hone our professional craft and ensure the division headquarters is ready to plan, prepare, direct, and execute large-scale combat operations," James said.

Following the change of command ceremony, Biehler officially retired from the Army after serving in the National Guard for more than 37 years.

"It has been a true honor to have commanded the historical 42nd this past year," Biehler said during the ceremony. "I want to thank the members of this headquarters for your focus and dedication in getting the unit prepared. I will miss serving along (with) you, and I wish all of you all the best and all the greatest success. Thank you for allowing me to serve with you for these last 37-plus years."

James has served in numerous key leadership and staff positions. He has led American Soldiers at the platoon, troop, battalion, brigade and general officer levels. Key roles include attack helicopter platoon leader, attack helicopter troop commander, battalion operations officer, battalion executive officer, brigade operations officer, and battalion commander.

He led the 42d Combat Aviation Brigade from 2014 to 2019, thereafter serving as Commanding General, 53d Troop Command and Deputy Commander, 42d Infantry Division. During his career, James has deployed on multiple occasions.

In addition to his overseas service, James has participated in responses to numerous domestic emergencies including Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Sandi and others.

James is a traditional National Guard Soldier who has balanced civilian and military careers for over twenty years. In his civilian career, James serves as a Vice President at New York Life Insurance Company.

James is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Distinguished Graduate of the U.S. Army War College and holds an MBA from New York University. He is a Master Army Aviator and is rated in the AH-64, AH-1, UH-60, UH-1 and fixed wing aircraft.

The 42nd Infantry Division, one of only eight divisions in the National Guard, was initially created with the United States' entry into World War I. Comprised of National Guard units from 26 states and the District of Columbia, the newly formed division was said to stretch like a Rainbow from one end of America to the other.

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