Colonel takes charge of Joint Task Force-North
By Chris Roberts / El Paso Times
Article Launched: 06/11/2008 12:00:00 AM MDT



Tuesday, Col. MacFarland assumed command of Joint Task Force-North. JTF-North is responsible for matching military units that need training with civilian law enforcement agencies that request assistance.

JTF-North coordinates missions to counter trans-national threats anywhere along the borders of the continental United States.

The MacFarland family has other ties to Fort Bliss.

"My grandfather was in the 82nd artillery. It was a horse artillery unit in 1930, 1931," MacFarland said after the ceremony at the Fort Bliss Air Defense Artillery Museum. "This was his first assignment out of West Point."

MacFarland returned to Fort Bliss in 1990 to work on the Strategic Defense Initiative -- known as "Star Wars" -- at the Air Defense Center. He rejoined the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment when the first Gulf War began. During the war, he was the deputy regimental operations staff officer.

He also served in Iraq during the current war, including a tour as commander of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, when his unit was involved in negotiating with Sunni tribes in the then hostile Al-Anbar province.

MacFarland took over from Brig. Gen. Anthony Ierardi. Ierardi is going to Afghanistan, where his duties will include training and equipping the Afghan military and national security forces.

"Tony took it to a whole different level," said



retired Brig. Gen. Joe Riojas, who commanded JTF-North before Ierardi took over and now runs the University of Texas at El Paso's Office of Strategic Initiatives. "He (made) a significant difference across the nation."
Ierardi's wife and son will remain in El Paso during his tour. "Our house is your house," MacFarland told Ierardi's wife during the ceremony, "and anything we can do for you, we'll be more than happy to do."


Chris Roberts may be reached at chrisr@elpasotimes.com; 546-6136.