Hirono Attends INDOPACOM Change of Command, Advocates for Whole of Government Approach to National Security in the Region

HONOLULU – Senator Mazie K. Hirono, the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Seapower Subcommittee, attended the official change of command ceremony for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) today at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The ceremony marked the formal transition from outgoing Commander Admiral Harry B. Harris to incoming Commander Admiral Philip S. Davidson. INDOPACOM is the military’s largest combatant command, with an area of responsibility covering more than half the world’s surface.

“During his time in Hawaii as commander of PACFLT and INDOPACOM, I’ve gotten to know Admiral Harris and his wife Bruni very well. I join our state and country in thanking them for their service,” Senator Hirono said. “At a time when we face an array of threats in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, I look forward to working closely with Admiral Davidson as part of our whole of government approach to national security in this critically important region of the world.”

As a member of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Hirono secured a number of provisions in the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act that support a whole of government approach to national security in the Indo-Pacific Region. The FY2019 NDAA includes Hirono-authored measures that would ensure Pacific Command has the resources and infrastructure it needs to support the National Defense Strategy, expand the capacity of the Asia Maritime Security Initiative to increase partnerships and promote a whole-of-government approach for stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, and emphasize the benefits of military training exercises with regional allies.