On May 3, 2024, Defense Minister Lloyd J. King J. Austin III presided over the change of command of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command at Joint Base Hickam at Pearl Harbor. During the ceremony, Admiral Samuel Paparo took over the command from retired Admiral John Aquilino. The Department of Defense photo was taken by the US Air Force Technologies. Sergeant. Jack Saunders
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin presided over a U.S. Indo-Pacific command change ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in Hawaii on May 3, emphasizing the strength of U.S. partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region, according to the U.S. Department of Defense news website.
U.S. Navy Admiral Samuel J. Paparo Jr., who succeeded Adm. John Aquilino as commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on May 3, pledged a strong response to threats in the region.
The U.S. Department of Defense believes that the transfer of power in the U.S. Indo-Pacific region is taking place against an extremely complex background. The command change comes amid rising tensions in the South China Sea, with Beijing's increasingly hostile actions against U.S. allies' maritime communications in the area and a recent surge in "unprofessional" interceptions of U.S. aircraft that have exacerbated tensions in the South China Sea, the report said. The situation is further complicated by China's recent military restructuring and an increase in its defense budget.
It is now the "most dangerous time"
Aquilino handed over command of Indo-Pacific Command to Admiral Samuel Paparo at a dignified ceremony overlooking the USS Arizona Memorial and the USS Missouri Battleship on May 3.
Outgoing U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. John Aquilino (right) and incoming U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo salute each other during a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command change of command ceremony at Joint Base Hickam in Pearl Harbor on May 3. JOHN BELLINO LEVEL 1 EXPERT
In his speech, Aquilino said it was the "most dangerous period" in his 40-year service, but that the command was ready to take on the challenge.
Aquilino acknowledged Aquilino's efforts at the handover ceremony, saying that under Gen. John Aquilino's leadership, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command "has risen to meet this moment." And applaud him, "a decisive moment for our National Defense Strategy," for his leadership in changing the U.S. posture in the region.
Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Brown led the Pacific Air Force when Aquilino was commander of the Pacific Fleet. During his tenure, Aquilino "pushed our joint forces to think, act and operate differently," Brown said.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin noted that Aquilino has played a leading role in significant investments in critical ammunition and arming warfighters with critical capabilities. He also highlighted Aquilino's leadership in deepening partnerships across the region, which is an important part of the U.S. strategy to contain conflict within Indo-Pacific Command's broad area of responsibility.
The target of the confrontation remains China
Samuel Paparo, the new commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said at the handover ceremony, "We must be prepared to respond to the PRC's growing claims of invasion and expansion in the Indo-Pacific region." Looking ahead, the Joint Force will carry out this great responsibility with strength, determination and confidence. "And pledged a strong response to threats in the region.
It is clear that the United States still regards China as its strategic competitor. Previously, Paparo, a former commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, had long maintained a firm stance on Chinese actions in the region. On February 1 of this year, he claimed at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee that China was "expanding its aggression as a revanchist, revisionist, and expansionist country against all odds" and seeking to reset its borders with military power.
Notably, since its inception in 1947, every commander of Indo-Pacific Command and its predecessor, the U.S. Pacific Command, has been a naval officer. No Air Force, Army, or Marine Corps officer has ever headed the command. This demonstrates the importance of the service in the Indo-Pacific region.
Paparo has previously said that if his appointment is confirmed, logistics, including in-flight refueling, will be his top priority. He stressed that the U.S. must adopt a "more edgy, decentralized posture" in the region, and that Indo-Pacific Command must reconsider how it supports that posture.
Austin highlighted Paparo's experience in mission-critical missions around the world and his extensive experience in the Indo-Pacific Command theater. Paparo further emphasized the importance of close partnerships with allies to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.
In his speech, Paparo said: "As we look to the future, the Joint Forces will carry out this great responsibility with strength, determination and confidence. "Indo-Pacific Command, together with our partners, has the ability to deny and defend against attempts to undermine the peace brought about by an international rules-based order." This indicates the future development of Indo-Pacific Command.
From left to right: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Defense Minister Minoru Kihara and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro pose at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters at Camp Smith, Hawaii, May 2, 2024.
Committed to deepening key alliances in the Indo-Pacific region
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held talks with the defense ministers of Australia, Japan and the Philippines at the headquarters of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command in Hawaii. After the meeting, he emphasized that the United States is committed to deepening relations with key allies throughout the Indo-Pacific region. It marks an important milestone in the efforts of the four countries to enhance interoperability between their forces.
Speaking at a press conference after the talks, Austin said: "Just last year, the defense ministers of Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States met for the first time in Singapore. "Today's meeting, the second of its kind, builds on this momentum and helps advance our vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific shared by our four democracies."
Austin highlighted last month's maritime cooperation activity in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone — the second multilateral cooperation event of its kind in the past year. "Such events not only strengthen our interoperability, but also create connections between our troops," he said. "They underscore our shared commitment to international law in the South China Sea."
A U.S. Department of Defense official said ahead of the talks that the discussions were taking place at a critical time for defense cooperation across the region. "Japan and Australia are our most outspoken and staunchest allies," he said, and "as allies, not only how do we act together, but how do we think about addressing the really worrying actions and coercion that we see happening in many parts of the region, which is clearly something that we want to focus on together".
At the transfer of power, Austin said, "Indo-Pacific Command is working with our regional allies and partners like never before. He noted that a series of major regional joint exercises are indispensable to enhance interoperability with key allies.
He noted that the United States has made great strides with allies and partners in strengthening its regional military presence — from deploying the most advanced Marine Littoral Regiment in Japan to expanding U.S. access to four new locations under the Strategic Defense Plan and an enhanced defense cooperation agreement with the Philippines.
At a press conference after the meeting, Austin said, "We are gathered here because we share a common vision for peace, stability and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific. We have charted an ambitious course to advance this vision together, which is why today's meeting is so important. ”
Echoing Austin's sentiments, Paparo said, "This team is uniquely positioned to shape the current strategic environment to benefit our country, our allies, and partners, and we must act now with a sense of urgency, and we are on that path." ”
Brief analysis
The transfer of power from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command takes place against the backdrop of an extremely complex geopolitical environment. The new commander pledged a strong response to threats in the region, underscoring the strength of the U.S. in the Indo-Pacific partnership and saying it must be prepared to respond to the "Chinese threat." The change of command is intended to strengthen the U.S. military presence in the Indo-Pacific region and strengthen its ability to respond to tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin highlighted the importance of partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region. He noted that the U.S. commitment to deepening relationships with key allies throughout the Indo-Pacific region marks an important milestone in the four countries' efforts to enhance interoperability between their forces. All of this reflects Austin's commitment to the Indo-Pacific region and his drive to deepen partnerships.
Austin's actions in Hawaii herald the future of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and demonstrated that its determination to strengthen alliances, increase its military presence, and adopt a confrontational approach will not change.
The new Indo-Pacific Commander Paparo emphasized the importance of building a close partnership with allies and pledged that the joint force will fulfill this great responsibility with strength, determination and confidence. In his strategic plan, the United States must adopt a "more avant-garde, decentralized posture" in the region, and Indo-Pacific Command must also reconsider how it supports that posture. He further emphasized that close partnerships with allies are critical to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.
This indicates that the U.S. military's military activities in the Indo-Pacific region will become more frequent and challenging. In this regard, countries in the Indo-Pacific region must strengthen more targeted preparations to respond to this new and serious challenge.