Military News
U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet changes command
By Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth, Defense Media Activity – Hawaii News Bureau
Jan 22, 2012 - 2:01:53 PM

Blackanthem Military News

U.S. Navy Adm. Cecil D. Haney, incoming U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, gives a speech during the U.S. Pacific Fleet change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Jan. 20, 2012, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth, Defense Media Activity – Hawaii News Bureau

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII – Adm. Cecil D. Haney took command of the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet from Adm. Patrick Walsh during a ceremony, Jan. 20, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Jonathan Greenert presided over the ceremony. He welcomed Haney and praised Walsh for his leadership during his time as the Pacific Fleet commander.

“[Walsh] knows what it means to take care of a command,” Greenert said. “He has harnessed the Pacific fleets, teamwork, talent and resources, while refusing to take the credit for the command's success.”

Adm. Robert F. Willard, commander, U.S. Pacific Command, also praised Walsh for his work leading all U.S. military support efforts during Operation Tomodachi.

"As the magnitude of this epic disaster reached an unprecedented scale of any of our experience, my senior staff implored me to assign our senior-most joint warfighting commander to lead the U.S. response. That morning, Adm. Pat Walsh assembled elements of his joint task force staff and prepared to depart for Japan,” Willard said. "Every day I observed Pat’s organization, initiative, imagination and drive to provide Gen. Oriki (Japan Joint Staff) and his forces every service they required, including nuclear engineering expertise on an unprecedented scale. Such leadership will never be forgotten in Japan, nor in the Pacific Fleet. That is the legacy of Adm. Pat “Sponge” Walsh.”

Walsh, who is retiring after 34 years of active duty service, leaves with the confidence that the Pacific Fleet is in good hands.

“If ever there was a person who’s ready for the challenge to assume command of the Pacific Fleet, it’s Cecil Haney,” Walsh said. “He’s had a sterling career filled with many challenging assignments. He knows the Pacific.”

Haney, the former deputy of the U.S. Strategic Command, became the 33rd Pacific Fleet commander since the fleet was established in 1941.

“I am grateful and honored to be standing here before you and remain in awe of the opportunities our United States Navy and this nation has provided me,” Haney said. “Given the rich history and importance of this area of responsibility, I will do my utmost to serve you and especially the sailors, civilians and families that make up the U.S. Pacific Fleet.”

The U.S. Pacific Fleet is headquartered in Hawaii and is responsible for more than half the world’s surface, from the West Coast of the United States to the Indian Ocean. It commands approximately 180 ships, 2,000 aircraft and 125,000 sailors and Marines, as well as civilian personnel.

ADDITIONAL PHOTOS:

With historic Pearl Harbor memorials USS Missouri and the USS Arizona as a backdrop, U.S. Navy sailors secure the admiral's flags during the U.S. Pacific Fleet change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Jan. 20, 2012, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth, Defense Media Activity – Hawaii News Bureau	U.S. Navy Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of Naval Operations, salutes as he passes through the ceremonial sideboys during U.S. Pacific Fleet change of command ceremony held at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Jan. 20, 2012, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth, Defense Media Activity – Hawaii News Bureau
Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, chief of Naval Operations, presents the Distinguished Public Service Award to Andy Walsh on behalf of the secretary of the Navy. Walsh, the wife of Navy Adm. Patrick M. Walsh, was recognized for her work in the community during the U.S. Pacific Fleet change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Jan. 20, 2012, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth, Defense Media Activity – Hawaii News Bureau	Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert (left), chief of Naval Operations, Navy Adm. Patrick M. Walsh (right) and his wife, Andy Walsh, pose for a photo after Andy Walsh was awarded the Distinguished Public Service Award from Greenert on behalf of the secretary of the Navy during the U.S. Pacific Fleet change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Jan. 20, 2012, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth, Defense Media Activity – Hawaii News Bureau
U.S. Navy Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert, chief of Naval Operations, gives a speech during the U.S. Pacific Fleet change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Jan. 20, 2012, in Honolulu, Hawaii.Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth, Defense Media Activity – Hawaii News Bureau	U.S. Navy Adm. Patrick M. Walsh and his wife, Andy Walsh, pass through ceremonial sideboys following a change of command ceremony during which he turned over command of U.S. Pacific Fleet to Adm. Cecil Haney at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Jan. 20, 2012, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael Holzworth, Defense Media Activity – Hawaii News Bureau