New chief takes command over U.S. Pacific Fleet
By Loren Moreno Bruce Asato | The Honolulu Advertiser
With 210 sailors looking on from atop the battleship USS Missouri along with hundreds of distinguished guests gathered on Ford Island, Adm. Walter F. Doran yesterday handed over command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Adm. Gary Roughead, former deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, assumed the role of Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, which is made up of approximately 200 ships, 1,400 aircraft and more than 190,000 sailors, Marines and civilians.
Doran, who took command in May 2002, has served in the Navy for 38 years. He said he was encouraged by the progress that has been made and was optimistic about the future of the fleet because Roughead "understands perfectly the challenges of the Pacific."
Gov. Linda Lingle, Sen. Daniel Akaka, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command Adm. William J. Fallon, as well as leaders from Japan, Korea and Australia attended the ceremony.
"While he served here in the Navy command, our relationship was very close," said Akaka of Doran. "He works so well with people and I can see a future for him to be diplomatic in that sense."
Doran has built positive working relationships with naval leaders around the world, especially from the Pacific region, Clark said.
"When they get to us in Washington, I can tell you they can never stop talking about their time in Hawai'i and the grand times that they have enjoyed especially with Walt and Ginny Doran," said Clark.
Doran's relationships with leaders in the Pacific region, specifically Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, and India, helped engineer a rapid response for humanitarian aid to tsunami victims in Southeast Asia. Doran is also credited with a responsive combat force that excelled in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom and for deploying five of the six carrier strike groups that helped topple Saddam Hussein, said Clark.
"Adm. Doran's leadership in this global struggle for liberty and justice is a profound responsibility that he has shouldered with driving purpose and selfless honor," said Clark.
When Roughead's flag was raised and Doran said, "Adm. Roughead, I am ready to be relieved," the 1973 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy became the 30th commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. The change-of-command ceremony took place alongside the USS Missouri with the USS Arizona Memorial in the background.
Roughead said there is no higher honor than to accept command in the shadows of the battleship Missouri from such a distinguished predecessor.
"Walt Doran has set a very, very high bar," he said.
Akaka said he remembers Roughead from the days he worked as the Navy's chief of legislative affairs.
"I am delighted to have him here because he will carry the torch here for the Navy and continue to do a good job," said Akaka.
Advertiser Staff Writer
Adm. Walter F. Doran and his wife, Ginny Doran, departed from the platform yesterday after relinquishing command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet to Adm. Gary Roughead. Roughead (left, on platform) is the former deputy commander of the U.S. Pacific Command. He called the task of taking over leadership of the U.S. Pacific Fleet a challenge because his predecessor, Doran, "has set a very, very high bar."
Adm. Walter F. Doran, outgoing commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, yesterday continued the fleet's change-of-command ceremony by leading other officers past the USS Missouri.
