The Army yesterday announced that Maj. Gen. Bernard S. Champoux will be the next commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks.

Champoux most recently was chief legislative liaison for the Secretary of the Army in Washington, D.C.

Champoux, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, had two prior Hawai'i postings in his Army career.

From 1996 to 1998 Champoux commanded the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry "Wolfhounds" at Schofield.

From October of 2003 to June of 2005, Champoux was assistant division commander for operations at the Wahiawä post.

During a deployment to Afghanistan, he was deputy commanding general for Combined Joint Task Force 76.

The Pentagon did not specify a change-of-command date.

Champoux will arrive at a time of continuing high levels of deployment for Schofield soldiers.

About 4,500 soldiers from the 3rd "Bronco" Brigade and division headquarters returned to Hawai'i in October and November from northern Iraq.

The Pentagon in October announced it was ordering the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team at Schofield Barracks back to Iraq next summer amid plans by the U.S. to wind down its presence in the country.

The 4,300 soldiers with the Stryker Brigade returned to Hawai'i in February and March from 15 months in northern Baghdad, Taji, Tarmiyah and Abu Ghraib. The brigade has about 330 of the 19-ton Stryker armored vehicles.

In August, some 2,400 soldiers with the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade left on a yearlong deployment to northern Iraq. The brigade sent nearly 100 helicopters on the deployment.

Champoux will take over from Maj. Gen. Robert L. Caslen Jr., who was promoted to be the next commanding general of the Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Caslen also is getting a third star. He has led the 25th Division since May 2008.