Adm. John Aquilino, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, opened the ceremony by thanking Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, for sending her finest leaders to U.S. Pacific Fleet.
“You’re looking on the world’s biggest warfighters sitting behind me,” stated Aquilino. “On this planet’s most regarding theater, towards our world’s most harmful adversaries, what has been chosen to run this theater are our greatest warfighters. That’s not by chance.”
Adm. Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, presided over the ceremony. She welcomed Koehler and praised Paparo for his management throughout his time because the PACFLT commander.
“Sam, you understood that probably the most highly effective device now we have — our true strategic benefit — comes from our sturdy relationships with our allies and companions,” stated Franchetti. “And that our shared values and customary curiosity bind us collectively, and put extra prepared gamers on the sector — each single day. Sam, I can’t be extra happy with the work that you have accomplished because the Pacific Fleet commander, and I am enthusiastic about what’s but to return as you head up the hill (to Camp Smith), and turn out to be the twenty seventh commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command subsequent month.”
Franchetti welcomed Koehler saying: “You know the way to construct sturdy groups to get after our important mission right here within the Indo-Pacific at this important time in our nation’s historical past. There is no such thing as a another prepared to guide this Fleet. I’m completely assured that you’re the proper individual on the proper time to guide our Sailors within the Indo-Pacific. And I sit up for seeing all that this Fleet will accomplish in your watch.”
Whereas below Paparo’s command, PACFLT certified as a joint process drive, established Process Pressure 504, a process drive targeted on fight sustainment; Fleet Info Warfare Command Pacific; expanded alternatives for deployed ship restore in India; and accomplished quite a few joint and mixed multi-lateral operations throughout the area with allies and companions.
“These accomplishments and lots of extra have demonstrated {our capability} and our will to our would-be adversaries. These accomplishments have deterred battle and preserved the peace,” stated Paparo.
He took a second to deal with the Sailors, chief petty officers, civilians and officers throughout the Fleet, each at sea and ashore.
“One of the best a part of my job has been watching this crew in motion,” Paparo stated. “I recognize all that you’ve got accomplished over the past three years. And as I utter these phrases, your efforts proceed. Each day you proceed constructing a more practical combating drive. I’m honored to stay your teammate as I take up my subsequent responsibility, and I’m proud to show over command to Adm. Stephen “Net” Koehler.”
Koehler involves the historic Pearl Harbor headquarters from Washington, D.C., the place he served as director for Technique, Plans and Coverage, J5, Joint Employees.
“I couldn’t be extra excited and honored to imagine command of the best fleet on this planet, whose capabilities are second to none,” stated Koehler. “The U.S. Pacific Fleet solutions our nation’s name to compete with unity of objective, with out hesitation, and with a strong and resolute drive.”
Koehler is the thirty eighth commander because the Fleet’s Pearl Harbor headquarters was established in February 1941. He commissioned by means of the Naval Reserve Officers Coaching Corps (NROTC) at College of Colorado at Boulder in 1986, and was designated a naval aviator in March 1989. He has flown over 3,900 hours within the F-14 Tomcat and F-18 E/F/G Tremendous Hornet with 600 service landings.
“Success throughout competitors would require a bias for motion, fixed drive for excellence, continued vigilance, and the power to quickly transition to seizing the initiative and holding it,” stated Koehler. “Success would require teamwork with exact execution and mastery of the fundamentals, after which stretching ourselves operationally and tactically as a crew of groups. Success would require cooperation throughout the supporting components of the Navy, collaboration throughout numbered fleets, joint integration, and teamwork with allies and companions.”
U.S. Pacific Fleet is the world’s largest fleet command with an space of operations that encompasses 100 million sq. miles, practically half the Earth’s floor, from Antarctica to the Arctic Circle and from the West Coast of the USA into the Indian Ocean. The U.S. Pacific Fleet consists of roughly 200 ships and submarines, practically 1,200 plane, and greater than 130,000 Sailors and civilians.
