Posted at 4:07 p.m., Monday, March 26, 2007
Keating assumes top job in U.S. Pacific Command
Advertiser Staff
Adm. Timothy J. Keating today assumed command of U.S. Pacific Command headquartered at Camp Smith at a ceremony attended by more than 700 guests.Among those in attendance were U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace.
Pacific Command, the oldest and largest of the U.S. military's unified commands, covers half the globe and 43 countries from the West Coast to the East Coast of Africa.
Keating, 58, who previously commanded U.S. Northern Command in Colorado, is the 23rd commander of U.S. Pacific Command, including stints at the helm by deputy commanders who twice filled in briefly until an appointee arrived.
Other than those temporary assignments, Keating's selection for the job represents a 60-year Navy lock on the position since it was created in 1947.
