Maj. Gen. Brian Eifler, outgoing commander of 11th Airborne Division and the division’s new commander, Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, at the change of command at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, on June 27, 2024. The change of command ceremony is the division’s first since its reactivation in June 2022. (Kourtney Nunnery/U.S. Army)

The Army’s 11th Airborne Division, revived two years ago to serve as combat-ready unit for potential conflict near the Arctic Circle, changed command on June 27 for the first time.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert assumed command from Maj. Gen. Brian S. Eifler at the division headquarters at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska.

Eifler has been 11th Airborne Division commander since the Pentagon reestablished the division in 2022. President Joe Biden has nominated Eifler for promotion to lieutenant general to serve as deputy chief of staff for Army G-1, the service’s labor force section. He will require Senate confirmation.

Hilbert most recently was deputy chief of staff for Army G-8, the services plans and logistics office.

The 11th Airborne Division includes two brigade combat teams. The 1st Brigade uses variants of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter when deployed as airborne troops and is based at Fort Wainwright near Fairbanks. The 2nd Brigade parachutes from transports into landing zones and is based at Elmendorf-Richardson near Anchorage.