More than 18,000 paratroopers stood together Thursday on Pike Field as the 82nd Airborne Division hosted a change-of-command ceremony.

Maj. Gen. James L. Huggins took command of the 82nd Airborne Division from Maj. Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti.

Huggins comes to the All-American Division after serving as the director of operations, readiness and mobilization for the office of the deputy chief of staff in Washington, D.C., from July 2008 to present.

“If you had to build a soldier to command the 82nd Airborne Division, it would look like James Huggins,” said Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, 18th Airborne Corps commander in an Army news release. “His unparalleled experience in peacetime and combat will make for a seamless transition as the division prepares for the challenges ahead.”

As commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division, Huggins will lead more than 22,000 paratroopers, whose mission is to strategically deploy within 18 hours of notification, conduct forcible entry parachute assaults and secure key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of U.S. interests.

Huggins was commissioned as a second lieutenant of infantry through Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1980.

This is a homecoming of sorts for the new All-American Commander, who previously served as a company commander in the 3rd Battalion, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, the battalion commander of 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment and later as the brigade commander for the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.

He also served as the chief of staff for the 82nd Airborne Division and chief of staff of the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg.

“I am exceptionally happy to be back at Fort Bragg and Fayetteville, which I believe is the model for the U.S. Army in terms of what ‘right’ looks like for a military and civilian community,” Huggins said.

The new commander has been afforded many unique professional experiences and opportunities to include tours with the 3rd and 25th Infantry Divisions, as well as two operational deployments and six combat tours in Operation’s Just Cause, Desert Shield/Storm, Enduring Freedom and three Iraqi Freedom tours, the news release said.

Huggins’ awards include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with three oak leaf clusters), The Bronze Star Medal (with five oak leaf clusters), the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with three oak leaf clusters), the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (with oak leaf cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (with two oak leaf clusters), Combat Infantryman Badge (with star), Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge (with bronze star), Air Assault Badge and the Ranger tab.

Scaparrotti, who recently led elements of the Division Special Troops Battalion on a successful 13-month combat deployment to Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, will be leaving the 82nd to serve as the special assistant to the 18th Airborne Corps Commander.

Scaparrotti said, “It has been my greatest honor to lead this historic division and to once again stand among the ranks of the All-Americans.”