U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) held a change of command ceremony April 30 at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where Adm. Philip Davidson relinquished command to Adm. John Aquilino.
The Indo-Pacific region is the U.S. Department of Defense’s priority theater for U.S. national security. In his remarks, Davidson noted the continued challenges in the region.
“The strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific is not between two nations, it is a contest between liberty – the fundamental idea behind a Free and Open Indo-Pacific – and authoritarianism, and the absence of liberty,” said Davidson. “The United States has always demonstrated a willingness to stand up for, to defend, and to put our lives on the line in the name of liberty.”
“We have spent much of our time at INDOPACOM focused on strengthening our alliances and enhancing our emerging partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region,” noted Davidson. “The United States is deeply committed to advancing and expanding these vital relationships further to help promote our collective peace and prosperity while enhancing security and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”
Aquilino, who was previously the U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, acknowledged USINDOPACOM’s critical role in providing regional peace and security.
“The Indo-Pacific is the most consequential region for America’s future, hosts our greatest security challenge, and remains the priority theater for the United States,” said Aquilino. “We will compete to achieve our national interests, cooperate where we can, and confront where we must to ensure we maintain a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”
Aquilino emphasized he will continue to focus on working alongside allies and partners to address collective security issues.
“For more than over 75 years, the U.S. in partnerships with like-minded allies and partners have created an environment where all nations could thrive and prosper,” said Aquilino. “I am honored and humbled to take on this important position during a most consequential time.”
Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, who presided over the ceremony, said today’s rapidly changing environment is going to demand new thinking and action from the Defense Department to create an integrated deterrent across all realms of potential conflict.
“Throughout American history, deterrence has meant fixing a basic truth within the minds of our potential foes, and that truth is the costs and risks of aggression are out of line with any conceivable benefit,” said Austin. “To make that clear today, we’ll use existing capabilities, and build new ones, and use all of them in networked ways—hand in hand with our allies and partners.”
General Mark A. Milley, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, reflected on the significance of Davidson’s service of leading the joint force in the region and passing the title of commander to Aquilino.
“The Indo-Pacific is the globe’s crossroads. We the United States of America, and your Joint Force, safeguards the transit of the goods and information that keep the world running,” said Milley. “We are a team of teams and this country, as well as the many nations who are represented here today, are thankful for Phil’s leadership and look forward to the guiding hand of Adm. Aquilino to bridge the Indo-Pacific into the future.”
