Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Cynthia Clark | Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel J. Locklear bids farewell to Lt. Gen....... read more read more
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FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii – Gen. Vincent K. Brooks relieved Lt. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski as Commander, U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), at Historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, Tuesday, July 2. Present at the ceremony was Chief of Staff of the Army, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno and commander, U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Samuel J. Locklear III.
While any change of command is an important milestone for any U.S. command, this one held additional importance, by marking the first time since 1974, USARPAC was under the command of a four-star general. Spearheaded by the late U.S. senator from Hawaii, Daniel Inouye, this momentous occasion solidifies our nation’s commitment to the re-balancing of the military to the Asia-Pacific region.
“This is a fulfillment of something that was Senator Inouye’s desire for a long time,” said General Brooks. “We never left the Pacific, but we did have our attention focused on some other areas as well. This is about returning our focus back to the Pacific. To be able to join at a time like this, when this priority has been established, by our President, by our nation, is quite an honor indeed – especially to join such a historic organization as this one.”
A common theme of this ceremony was Senator Inouye’s legacy. This was evident when his wife, Irene, shared ‘The Inouye Star’ to Gen. Brooks, which represents the late senator’s role in increasing the Pacific’s importance in our nation’s stance in defense of the region. According to Inouye, “my late husband felt that this fourth star was critical to our position in the Pacific.”
General Odierno continued to stress the importance of the U.S. Army in the Pacific region, and really drove home the point of the addition of another star to USARPAC.
“It reflects the growing importance our nation and our Army place on this region, USARPAC will require a leader who will work in a joint inter-agency and multi-national environment and General Vince Brooks is that combat-tested leader who understands the importance of this region to our nation, is the right solider to build on the great successes of Frank Wiercinski and U.S. Army Pacific into the future.
Weircinski, ended his Army career where it began. He reported to the 25th Infantry Division as a 2nd Lt., 34 years ago, and is living a “dream come true” by completing his illustrious career where it started.
“We depart with great confidence in the future of U.S. Army Pacific because of your continued service,” he concluded.
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2013 06:57 |
| Story ID: | 109676 |
| Location: | FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 330 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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