New Fort Detrick Boss Has Hospital Background

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- The Army is installing a new commander at Fort Detrick in Frederick.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Caravalho succeeds Maj. Gen. James Gilman at a ceremony Friday morning. The event also marks Gilman's retirement from 35 years in the Army.

The job includes command of the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, based at Fort Detrick. The unit includes medical research, development and acquisition; and medical logistics management.

Caravalho is a career medical services officer. He was previously commander of the Northern Regional Medical Command at Fort Belvoir, Va. The region includes seven Army medical centers, hospitals and clinics.

Fort Detrick is home to the military's main biological defense laboratory and a number of federal agency biodefense labs.

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