Nag-assume na bilang ika-26th commander ng U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) si Adm. John Aquilino kapalit ni Adm. Philip Davidson.
Mismong si US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III ang nanguna sa Change of Command Ceremony na isinagawa sa Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Pamumunuan ni Aquilino ang oldest and largest combatant command ng US at ang nasa 380,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen, Guardians, Coast Guardsmen, at Department of Defense civilians.
Si Adm. Aquilino ang siya ring responsable sa lahat ng U.S. military activities sa Indo-Pacific kung saan nasa 36 na mga bansa ang sakop nito, 14 time zones, at mahigit 50 percent populasyon ng buong mundo.
Ang Indo-Pacific region ang siyang priority theater ng U.S. Department of Defense.
Pinuri ni Secretary Austin si Davidson bilang USINDOPACOM commander.
“Admiral Davidson has done the nation a great service with his focus on deterrence in the region and the investments he’s made in our network of allies and partners. The Indo-Pacific Command is better prepared, better trained, and better equipped today than it ever was,” pahayag pa ni Austin.
Binigyang-diin ni Austin na sa panahon ngayon dahil sa mabilis ang pag-iba ng sitwasyon, mahalaga na magkaroon ng mga bagong pag-iisip at aksiyon mula sa Defense Department para matugunan ang mga mga hamon na kanilang kahaharapin.
“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. 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,” dagdag pa ni Sec. Austin.
Sinabi ni Austin, tiwala siya sa kakayahan ni Aquilino para harapin ang mga hamon sa Indo-Pacific region.
“Your new commander knows the stakes, he knows the people, and he knows the challenges. Admiral Aquilino, you are the right leader at the right time,” wika ni Austin.
Si Aquilino ay dating US Pacific Fleet commander, bago nag-assume bilang commander ng USINDOPACOM’s kaya alam nito ang critical role sa pagbibigay ng 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. 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,” pahayag ni Aquilino.
Siniguro naman ni Aquilino na kaniyang ipagpapatuloy na magkaroon ng magandang working relationship sa kanilang mga kaalyadong bansa at tugunan ang mga 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. I am honored and humbled to take on this important position during a most consequential time,” wika ni Aquilino.
