CAMP SMITH, Hawaii — U.S. Pacific Command's deputy commander, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Douglas M. Fraser, will be promoted to the rank of general and take command of U.S. Southern Command on June 25.

Fraser, who has served in his current position since April 2008, was confirmed by the Senate June 10 for his new assignment at SOUTHCOM, which is one of the nation's six geographically focused unified commands, with responsibility for U.S. military operations in the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

"It is truly an honor to have been nominated by the president and subsequently confirmed by the Senate," Fraser said. "I am looking forward to the challenges ahead, and to engaging with key leaders and personnel within the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government, as well as military and government leaders of nations throughout the Southern Command area of focus to address issues of mutual concern."

Over the past three-and-a-half decades, Fraser has served in a variety of Air Force and joint assignments, in both operational and staff positions.

Among other operational assignments, he commanded a fighter squadron in the Pacific, a combined air operations group in the U.S., including periods of combat operations during Operation Southern Watch, and a combined air wing supporting worldwide airlift and providing forces for combatant command operations.

Fraser's staff positions include Headquarters, U.S. Air Force; the Office of the Secretary of Defense; a previous assignment with U.S. Pacific Command; and the Air Force Space Command staff.

In addition to military experience, Fraser lived in Bogota, Colombia, for three years and graduated from high school there. "I have maintained a life-long interest in and affinity for Latin America and the Caribbean," he said.

Fraser is a 1975 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and 1992 graduate of the National War College. He earned a master's degree in political science from Auburn University in 1987.