New garrison commander takes reins of Fort Hunter Liggett

KING CITY, Calif. (KION) A traditional change of command ceremony took place at Fort Hunter Liggett near King City this past week, with a new garrison commander taking charge of the army base.

The colonel tells KION she has big plans over the next two years of her tenure there.

Colonel Lisa M. Lamb brings with her a slew of military experience, boasting three master's degrees, including one from the US Army War College.

Her last assigned duty was in Stuttgart, Germany, where she was director-secretary of the Joint Staff at US Africa Command. She has been in Hawaii, the Pentagon and was involved in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

But there is one thing the new garrison commander is most proud of.

"First and foremost, I am a mom of four amazing daughters," said Colonel Lamb.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Colonel Lamb is taking over as garrison commander of Fort Hunter Liggett now. She describes the job as being pretty much like a mayor of a city: you're responsible for housing, the fire and police departments, public works and all other base operations.

"I would say my greatest passion is people and putting people first. And continuing some of the initiatives that my predecessor Colonel Charles Bell started," said
Colonel Lamb.

Initiatives like the mirco grid, net zero project, which aims to make US military bases more energy efficient. Fort Hunter Liggett is one of the few army bases testing this technology out.

"We're projected to be at net zero in about 14 months or so. So during my tenure, I'll have an opportunity to see that project that's started with my predecessor before my predecessor and I'll be able to see that all the way through," said Colonel Lamb.

The colonel also wants to make sure the base does a lot of community outreach, focusing on helping their neighbors out in times of need, especially post COVID-19 pandemic.

And already, she seems to be enjoying our Central Coast.

"I'll be honest, in King City, I've already eaten at The Cork & Plough twice, twice! I took my family out there and that was a great spot," said Colonel Lamb.

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KION got a chance to sit down with Colonel Lisa Lamb one-on-one to talk about what she is planning for the future of the army base, including how she wants to reach out to more of the surrounding communities.

Colonel Lamb was scheduled to meet with Salinas city leaders at 5 p.m. on Friday, an appropriate endeavor perhaps since she tells us being the garrison commander at Fort Hunter Liggett is pretty much like being the mayor of a city.

Colonel Lamb comes from Pittsburgh and was previously stationed in Stuttgart, Germany, where she was director-secretary of the Joint Staff at US Africa Command. She is taking over for Colonel Charles Bell Jr., who was the garrison commander since June 2019.

Colonel Lamb was sworn in for the job on Wednesday and she says she is people-focused. She wants to ensure the mission of the fort is carried out to its fullest in the next two years of her tenure.

"It's my goal, as we come out of COVID and as we look to open back up services, that we focus on what we can do to help the community out and help our neighboring communities as well as our own Fort Hunter Liggett garrison," said Colonel Lamb.

Lamb says she is first and foremost a mom of four amazing daughters, the youngest of who will join her at Fort Hunter Liggett to work on the base.

KION's Josh Kristianto will have more on the story tonight at 10 and 11.