Despite a plethora of recent negative press, the Army remains steadfast in its support of Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

"Prior to coming here, and especially after being here the past two days, I remain confident in the leadership here and in the fact that they are taking care of things," said Gen. Lloyd Austin III, the Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army (VCSA). "Furthermore, the people that work and live here have faith in their command."

The March 23 visit, Austin's first to JBLM since becoming the 33rd VCSA on Jan. 31, was planned so that senior Army leadership could show support for the troubled base as well as ensure that I Corps and JBLM can continue to offer the best services and address the challenges facing the base's force effectively.

Surgeon General of the Army Lt. Gen. Patricia D. Horoho was also on hand to address the behavioral health re-evaluation process - involving more than 300 active and Reserve Soldiers and veterans - presently underway at the Madigan Healthcare System.

"As we decrease the stigma associated with receiving behavioral health, there will be more of a demand (for services)," said Horoho, who served as Madigan's commander from 2008 to 2009 and the Western Regional Medical Command commander until 2010. "However, we are encouraged by what we learned here today, and we remain committed to providing the best care and treatment to the force and their dependents."

In addition to Horoho, Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick, commanding general for the Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Michael Ferriter from U.S. Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM) and Command Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler, III accompanied Austin to JBLM.

Though he didn't address most questions regarding Staff Sgt. Robert Bales, including whether he would be tried at JBLM, Austin did say that the community could rest assured that the Army would make certain that the resources needed would be in place.

"The American people have been supportive of us and we want to make sure that people understand we (are) doing the right things," Austin said. "Both here at JBLM and throughout the Department of the Army."

Photo: Gen. Lloyd Austin, the 33rd Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army, spent some time last week at Joint Base Lewis-McChord to get a firsthand view of the base and its operations, which have been called into question recently following certain tragic events and accusations leveled against JBLM Soldiers.