United States Pacific Command
|
|
Hickamairforcebasesaltlake.jpg
The United States Pacific Command, led by the Commander, Pacific Command also called USPACOM and CDRUSPACOM, is the supreme military authority for the various branches of the Armed Forces of the United States serving within its area of responsibility. Only the President of the United States, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and his council of joint chiefs has greater authority. It is the oldest and largest of the unified commands. Based in Honolulu, Hawai'i on the island of O'ahu, the United States Pacific Command's sphere of control extends from the west coast of the United States mainland to the east coast of Africa (excluding the waters north of 5° S and west of 68° E), encompassing all of Asia, Australia, East Africa and the Pacific Rim. It also has control over US military operations in the Pacific, including the state of Hawaii, Indian Oceans as well as over forces in Alaska.
The main combat power of PACOM is formed by U.S. Army Pacific, Marine Forces Pacific, U.S. Pacific Fleet and U.S. Air Forces Pacific.
| Contents |
Area of responsibility
Within the United States Pacific Command's area of jurisprudence are over fifty percent of the world's surface area —approximately 105 million square miles (nearly 169 million square kilometers)—, nearly sixty percent of the world's population, forty-three countries and their twenty territories and possessions as well as ten territories and possessions of the United States.
It is charged with preserving and protecting five out of seven mutual defense treaties signed by the United States with its allies:
- U.S./Republic of the Philippines (Mutual Defense Treaty, 1952)
- U.S./Australia/New Zealand (ANZUS - U.S., 1952)
- U.S./Republic of Korea (Mutual Defense Treaty, 1954)
- U.S./France/Australia/New Zealand/Thailand/Philippines (South East Asia Collective Defense, 1955)
- U.S./Japan (Mutual Defense Treaty, 1960)
Thirty-five percent of the total trade the United States globally falls within the watch of the United States Pacific Command, amounting to more than $548 billion in 1998. Five of the world's largest militaries are monitored by the United States Pacific Command: People's Republic of China, Russia, India, North Korea and South Korea. In contrast, 19 percent of U.S. trade is with the European Union, 20 percent is with Canada, and 18 percent is with Latin America. Asia-Pacific nations, not including the U.S., account for about 34 percent of the Gross World Product (the U.S. accounts for 21 percent of GWP).
Headquarters
Offices for the United States Pacific Command are based at the Nimitz-MacArthur Pacific Command Center at Camp H.M. Smith near suburban Salt Lake and Moanalua. The staff is comprised of over 530 air force, army, coast guard, marine corps and navy officers and enlisted personnel with the support of an additional 110 civilian personnel.
Commanders
Commanders, U.S. Pacific Command/Commanders, U.S. Pacific Fleet
- Admiral John H. Towers (01 Jan 47 - 28 Feb 47)
- Admiral Louis E. Denfeld (28 Feb 47 - 03 Dec 47)
- Admiral DeWitt C. Ramsey (12 Jan 48 - 30 Apr 49)
- Admiral Arthur W. Radford (30 Apr 49 - 10 Jul 53)
- Admiral Felix B. Stump (10 Jul 53 - 14 Jan 58)
Commanders, U.S. Pacific Command
- Admiral Felix B. Stump (14 Jan 58 - 31 Jul 58)
- Admiral Harry D. Felt (31 Jul 58 - 30 Jun 64)
- Admiral Ulysses S. Grant Sharp (30 Jun 64 - 31 Jul 68)
- Admiral John S. McCain, Jr. (31 Jul 68 - 01 Sep 72)
- Admiral Noel A.M. Gayler (01 Sep 72 - 30 Aug 76)
- Admiral Maurice F. Weisner (30 Aug 76 - 31 Oct 79)
- Admiral Robert L.J. Long (31 Oct 79 - 01 Jul 83)
- Admiral William J. Crowe Jr. (01 Jul 83 - 18 Sep 85)
- Admiral Ronald J. Hays (18 Sep 85 - 30 Sep 88)
- Admiral Huntington Hardisty (30 Sep 88 - 01 Mar 91)
- Admiral Charles R. Larson (01 Mar 91 - 11 Jul 94)
- LTG Harold T. Fields (11 Jul 94 - 19 Jul 94)
- Admiral Richard C. Macke (19 Jul 94 - 31 Jan 96)
- Admiral Joseph W. Prueher (31 Jan 96 - 20 Feb 99)
- Admiral Dennis C. Blair (20 Feb 99 - 2 May 02)
- Admiral Thomas B. Fargo (2 May 02 - 26 Feb 05)
- Admiral William J. Fallon (26 Feb 05 - present)
Establishment
The United States Pacific Command was established on January 1, 1947 by President Harry Truman and was originally headquartered in the Salt Lake subdivision of Honolulu. It took control over all Armed Forces of the United States in what was once called the Pacific Theater during World War II. In 1972, the United States Pacific Command's responsibilities were greatly expanded to include the Indian Ocean, Southern Asia, and the Arctic. In 1976, it was again expanded to include parts of Africa. President Ronald Reagan expanded it again with the inclusion of the People's Republic of China, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Mongolia and Madagascar. In 1989, actions were taken to clarify the extent of authority given to the Commander, Pacific Command.
Resources
- United States Pacific Command (http://www.pacom.mil/)