An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | May 30, 2018

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Holds Change of Command Ceremony

By U.S. Pacific Command

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii -- Adm. Phil Davidson relieved Adm. Harry Harris as Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), in a ceremony on Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Wednesday, May 30.

Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis presided over the ceremony. During his remarks Mattis praised Harris’ tenure and highlighted the importance for strong leadership in the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.

“PACOM is our primary combatant command, standing watch and intimately engaged with over half of the earth’s surface and its diverse population,” said Mattis. “The United States is today and has been for two centuries a Pacific nation.”

Harris, born in Japan and reared in Tennessee and Florida, is a 1978 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and began his tour as the 24th PACOM commander in 2015.

“Men and women of the U.S. Pacific Command, and your families...what you do on a daily basis is of fundamental importance to our nation's defense. I'm proud to serve alongside you,” said Harris.

At a time of increasing contention in the region, Harris conveyed his respect and confidence in his successor to the critical post in the Indo-Pacific.

“Admiral Phil Davidson is well-suited to operate in the complex international milieu that is the Pacific Command in the 21st Century,” said Harris. “He understands completely both his strategic and operational responsibilities. I'm pleased, indeed gratified, that I leave this post in his hands...a battle tested leader whose experiences and expertise span the globe in a multitude of important security and operational assignments.”

Davidson, a native of St. Louis, Mo. and 1982 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, reflected on U.S. Pacific Command’s pivotal role in regional peace and security, and reiterated American commitment to the region and our allies and partners.

“For more than 70 years, the Indo-Pacific has been largely peaceful,” said Davidson. “In most ways, this was made possible by two things: the commitment of free nations to the free and open international order… and the credibility of the combat power within U.S. Pacific Command... To our allies here in the Indo-Pacific, you will have no better ally. To our partners, I look forward to advancing our partnership in a way that serves our mutual interests.”

Davidson, the 25th PACOM commander, takes charge after a successful tour as Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command/Naval Forces U.S. Northern Command in Norfolk, Va.

His previous command assignments include command of Carrier Strike Group 8/Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and USS Taylor (FFG 50).

Ashore, Davidson has served in fleet, interagency and joint tours as a flag officer. He was previously the director, Maritime Operations, U. S. Fleet Forces Command, the senior military advisor to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) at the State Department, and the deputy director for Strategy and Policy in the Joint Staff/J-5.

He served earlier in his career in policy, strategy and operations billets on multiple tours with the U.S. Pacific Fleet staff, the Navy staff and the Joint Staff, and as the Navy’s military aide to the vice president of the United States.

During the ceremony, Mattis announced that PACOM was changing its name as well as its commander.

“In recognition of the increasing connectivity between the Indian and Pacific oceans, today we rename the U.S. Pacific Command to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command,” said Mattis. “Over many decades this command has repeatedly adapted to changing circumstances and today carries that legacy forward as America focuses west.”

USINDOPACOM protects and defends, in concert with other U.S. Government agencies, the territory of the United States, its people, and its interests. With allies and partners, USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression, and, when necessary, fighting to win. This approach is based on partnership, presence, and military readiness.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
Twitter
348,314
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
U.S.-India Relationship Critical to Free, Open Indo-Pacific
U.S. Marines from the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, 1st Marines, celebrate the end of a live fire exercise with Indian Army soldiers during exercise Bright Star 2023 in Egypt, Sept. 10, 2023.
Sept. 20, 2023 - A shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific bolsters the U.S.-India relationship as the two countries continue to strengthen defense ties, a senior Pentagon official said...

Innovating Logistics in the Pacific the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade Supports Talisman Sabre 23
The 8th Theater Sustainment Command Commander Maj. Gen. Jered Helwig, highlights key points of the Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore operation to the Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth and other senior leaders during Talisman Sabre 2023 in Bowen, Australia, July 31, 2023. JLOTS demonstrates the critical capability of bringing vehicles and equipment to the shore in austere environments or when port facilities are unavailable. Talisman Sabre is the largest bilateral military exercise between Australia and the United States, with multinational participation, advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific by strengthening relationships and interoperability among key allies and enhancing our collective capabilities to respond to a wide array of potential security concerns.
Sept. 20, 2023 - The 402nd Army Field Support Brigade (AFSB) deployed in support of the 8th Theater Support Command and Talisman Sabre 23 (TS23) in Australia from June 19 through August 4...

US Army sustainers provide sealift to Australian armor for Super Garuda Shield
Australian Army M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks and vehicles are unloaded from the United States Army Vessel SSGT Robert T. Kuroda at Tanjung Perak Port in Indonesia during Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023. At the invitation of Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI), Australia is contributing over 125 personnel from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to Exercise Super Garuda Shield 2023 (SGS23). SGS23 is an TNI and United States Indo Pacific Command led bilateral training activity. It is focused on joint operations with international partners in and around East Java in Indonesia from 31 August to 13 September. Held since 2009, the ADF first participated in 2022, and in 2023 is contributing an Australian Army force element including a Troop of M1A1 Abrams tanks from the 1st Armoured Regiment. The contingent also includes an Infantry Platoon from the 10th/27th Battalion, Royal South Australian Regiment, command and control elements, and a range of armoured vehicles, trucks and recovery vehicles. (Photo by Australian Defence Force Cpl. Dustin Anderson)
Sept. 19, 2023 - With Logistics Support Vessel 7 SSGT Robert Kuroda already in Australia for Talisman Sabre 2023, the conditions were set to transport Australian Defence Force tanks and equipment to Indonesia for Super Garuda Shield...

Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the U.S.-Pacific Islands Forum Summit
Sept. 19, 2023 - President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. will host Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) leaders at the White House on September 25, 2023 during the second U.S.-Pacific Island Forum (PIF) Summit taking place September 25-26...

Joint Press Statement for the 23rd Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue
Sept. 18, 2023 - The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense (MND) held the 23rd Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) on September 18, 2023 in Seoul...