Posted on: Tuesday, April 30, 2002

Committee approves CINCPAC nominee

Advertiser Staff

The Senate Armed Services Committee last night approved the nomination of Adm. Thomas B. Fargo as commander in chief of Pacific Command, as well as the selection of Vice Adm. Walter F. Doran to head up Pacific Fleet.

The selections still need full Senate confirmation.

A ceremony transferring command from Adm. Dennis Blair, the present CINCPAC, to Fargo, is scheduled for 4 p.m. Thursday at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i at Kane'ohe Bay.

Practice for a joint service "fly by" for the change of command will be held today from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 4:30 p.m. at the Marine base, and officials warned of increased air traffic and noise.

Hawai'i-based aircraft, including C-130 transports, F-15 fighters, P-3 Orions, KC-135 tankers and Black Hawk helicopters, are among those that could be used in the fly by.

Deputy defense secretary Paul Wolfowitz is scheduled to attend the change of command. Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Air Force Gen. Richard Myers also may attend.

Fargo, 53, took over as Pacific Fleet commander on Oct. 8, 1999. Doran, 56, has been assistant to the Joint Chiefs chairman since September 2000.