US INDOPACOM即將發足

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The move is seen as a counter measure against China’s assertive moves.

“The 2018 National Defense Strategy – the first of its kind in a decade – acknowledges Pacific challenges and signals America’s resolve and lasting commitment to the Indo-Pacific,”

US Secretary of DoD Mattis stressed “the international order put in place at the end of World War II,” and “Most nations in the region recognize the benefits of the current order.”

He also analogized the Indo-Pacific as “America focuses west.”

Now we understand that the US forces are “a cornerstone of ‘a region open to investment and free, fair and reciprocal trade, not bound by any nation’s predatory economics or threat of coercion’.”

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Holds Change of Command Ceremony    20180530 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.

Pacific Command Change Highlights Growing Importance of Indian Ocean Area    20180530

JOINT BASE PEAR HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --

Defense Secretary James N. Mattis today stressed the importance of the Indian Ocean region of U.S. Pacific Command’s area of responsibility and announced that the Defense Department is renaming the combatant command as U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Mattis made the announcement at the change-of-command ceremony here where Navy Adm. Philip S. Davidson relieved Navy Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., who had commanded Pacom for the last three years.

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

‘From Bollywood to Hollywood’

The command stretches “from Bollywood to Hollywood, and from penguins to polar bears,” Mattis said, and it plays an important part in America’s National Defense Strategy.  “The 2018 National Defense Strategy – the first of its kind in a decade – acknowledges Pacific challenges and signals America’s resolve and lasting commitment to the Indo-Pacific,” he said.

The region has benefitted greatly from the international order put in place at the end of World War II, the secretary said.  Most nations in the region recognize the benefits of the current order, he added, which has raised quality of life across the region.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command seeks to strengthen the bonds across the region and is a cornerstone of “a region open to investment and free, fair and reciprocal trade, not bound by any nation’s predatory economics or threat of coercion, for the Indo-Pacific has many belts and many roads,” Mattis said, alluding to China’s “One Belt, One Road” policy for the region.

The command will give U.S. diplomats the security anchor they need to negotiate with all nations in the region, Mattis said, adding that America will continue to work with allies and seek to strengthen bonds and build new ones in the region.  Diplomats will continue to work for peace, but will do so “from a position of strength,” he said.

“Relationships with our Pacific and Indian Ocean allies and partners have proven critical to maintaining regional stability,” the secretary said.  We stand by our partners and support their sovereign decisions, because all nations, large and small, are essential to the region if we are to sustain stability in ocean areas critical to global peace.”

(Follow Jim Garamone on Twitter: @GaramoneDoDNews)