Freedom Shield

An exercise set to reflect the Korea Theater of Operations – a combined, joint, all-domain, and interagency operating environment. This annual exercise aims to build understanding between Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, the United Nations Command, and ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), ensuring their ability to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance Alliance response capabilities against a spectrum of security threats. It will feature live, virtual, constructive and field-based training, engaging personnel from the various military services.

Videos

Video by Cpl. Rhianna Ballenger, Stephen Bates, Sgt. Michael Parnell, Sgt. Jessica Rutledge

Brig. Gen. Peder Swanson Retirement Ceremony

Joint Task Force-National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington

May 12, 2023 | 44:14

Brig. Gen. Peder L. Swanson was recognized for his more then 28 years of service in the United States Army and United States Army Reserve during a General Officer retirement ceremony conducted by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" ceremonial units of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW) held at Conmy Hall, Fort Myer, Virginia, May 12, 2023.

Brig. Gen. Swanson received his commission in 1995 from Wheaton College’s (Illinois) ROTC program. After graduating from the Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to the 67th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) in Wurzburg, Germany. After serving for a year as the combined U.S. Army Medical Department Activity Wurzburg and 67th CSH Adjutant, Brig. Gen. Swanson deployed in support of the NATO peacekeeping mission in the Balkans, serving as a Medical Task Force S-1. He subsequently served as Company Executive Officer and Company Commander for the 67th CSH. Brig. Gen. Swanson then transitioned into a Chief of Healthcare Administration role with oversight for a network of ten primary care clinics throughout Bavaria. Returning to the United States, he was assigned to the U.S. Army Recruiting Command with geographic responsibility for the recruitment of healthcare professionals in Northern California.

In May 2001, Brig. Gen. Swanson separated from active duty to assume a position in Leadership & Organizational Development at Kaiser Permanente’s corporate headquarters in Oakland, California. Soon after September 11, 2001, Brig. Gen. Swanson returned to service in the Army Reserve with Headquarters, 2d Medical Brigade as the Assistant Chief of Staff, Personnel. Feeling compelled to return to active federal service, Brig. Gen. Swanson began serving in the Active Guard and Reserve program in 2003 as the S-3, 921st Field Hospital. He served a second assignment with U.S. Army Recruiting Command and subsequently as the S-1 for the Western Medical Area Readiness Support Group.
In early 2009, Brig. Gen. Swanson was assigned as the Chief of Plans, 30th Medical Command in Heidelberg, Germany and immediately deployed with the first theater-level medical command in Afghanistan. In this role, Brig. Gen. Swanson was part of setting the theater for a surge of US and NATO forces and facilitating technical arrangements with allied partners for the care of U.S. Service members across Afghanistan. Upon completing his assignment with the 30th Medical Command in Heidelberg, Brig. Gen. Swanson completed an Army War College Fellowship at the University of Texas, Austin before being assigned to Headquarters, Department of the Army in the Office of the Surgeon General. He served as the Army Medicine G-3/5/7 Executive Officer and Medical Plans Officer. After a unique opportunity with the Army Transition Team preparing a strategic assessment for the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army, Brig. Gen. Swanson served as the Army Reserve Advisor for the U.S. Army Warrior Transition Command and as Deputy Surgeon, Health Affairs & Policy in the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve. His final assignment in the National Capitol Region was in the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he served as the Director, Reserve Component Medical Programs and Policy.

Brig. Gen. Peder Swanson assumed his role as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations) for the 3d Medical Command (Deployment Support) in May 2022. Previous to this position, he served as the Deputy Commanding General (Operations) for the 807th Medical Command (Deployment Support).

Brig. Gen. Swanson received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Wheaton College (IL) and a Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma. He is a graduate of the Army War College, the Joint Forces Staff College (AJPME), the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the AMEDD Officer Advanced Course.
Among his awards and decorations, he is a recipient of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Expert Field Medical Badge. He is also a member of the Order of Military Medical Merit.

In his current civilian vocation, BG Swanson is a Principal with Top Corner Consulting, LLC specializing in strategic planning & integration within the U.S. Intelligence Community. BG Swanson is currently supporting the organizational strategy of the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Virginia.