The Pacific Army Reserve based out of Fort Shafter Flats has a new commander.

Brig. Gen. Alexander I. Kozlov yesterday assumed command of 3,500 Reserve soldiers in Hawai'i, Alaska, Japan, South Korea, American Samoa, Guam and Saipan.

Among the troops are 2,500 citizen soldiers in Hawai'i and units including the 100th Battalion, 442nd Regiment, and the 411th Engineer Battalion, both of which have served in Iraq.

The Pacific Army Reserve, also known as the 9th Regional Readiness Command, has 24 units. Skills within the command include civil affairs, military police, infantry, linguistics, heavy construction engineers, public affairs, communications, medical, development schools, and installation and garrison support.

Kozlov received his first star at a promotion ceremony on Saturday.

Kozlov was commander of the U.S. Army Facility Engineer Group, 416th Engineer Command, in Darien, Ill. He replaces Brig. Gen. John Y.H. Ma, who commanded the Pacific Army Reserve since December 2002.

As a civilian, Kozlov is principal vice president at MacDonald-Bedford Professional Managers, Strategists & Trainers, a construction management company.