JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii —
The name of U.S. Pacific Command has changed, but the mission of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command will remain the same, command officials said at the change of command here today.
Defense Secretary James N. Mattis announced the name change during his remarks at the ceremony.
With Navy Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. handing over the reins to Navy Adm. Philip S. Davidson, the command has changed its name, but both men stressed the command will continue the mission of security and stability in the region from the coast of Africa to the coast of California and all points between.
Hawaii truly was the crossroads of the Pacific today, as representatives from Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, India, New Zealand, Canada, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brunei, and Nepal attended the change-of-command ceremony on the water in Pearl Harbor.
In the background were the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri, signifying the alpha and omega of America's commitment to the region during World War II. Since the end of that war, Pacom has been instrumental in maintaining security and promoting peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
Commitment to International Order
Upon assuming command, Davidson stressed that for more than 70 years, the Indo-Pacific region has been largely peaceful. “This was made possible by two things: the commitment of free nations…
