Posts Tagged ‘Pacific Command’
US Pacific Command Change of Command Ceremony
Today, I was invited by the United States Pacific Command to photograph the Change of Command ceremony as Admiral Robert F. Willard relinquished command to Admiral Samuel Locklear III upon his retirement after 39 years of military service. Guest speakers at the ceremony included the United States Secretary of Defense, Leon Panetta, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Martin Dempsey.
I’ve had the privilege to photograph Adm. Willard at a few events before, and even have a few of my photos of Hawaii military events hanging in his office in Washington D.C. I wish him the best in his retirement!
2012 Change of Command at U.S. Pacific Fleet
Today at Pearl Harbor, in a change-of-command ceremony at Kilo Pier, Admiral Cecil D. Haney became the new commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. He succeeds Admiral Patrick M. Walsh, who was the commander for the past two years, who is now retiring after 34 years in the Navy. Walsh was honored for his service with many stories of his accomplishments, as well as a few laughs, while his wife, Andy, was also honored during the ceremony for her service as a leader among Navy spouses. Speaking at the ceremony were Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, the Chief of Naval Operations, and Admiral Robert F. Willard, Commander of U.S. Pacific Command.
Thanks go out to Pacific Fleet for inviting me to cover this event!
The USS Missouri and the USS Arizona Memorial served as the ceremony's backdrop.
Admiral Patrick M. Walsh salutes as he arrives at the stage.
JPAC Arrival Ceremony For America’s Heroes
On September 10th, I was invited by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command to attend an arrival ceremony for the recovered remains of fallen U.S. personnel from World War II and the Vietnam War. These remains received full military honors during the ceremony at Hickam Air Force Base, before being transported to JPAC’s Central Identification Laboratory to undergo the forensic identification process.
As an Army wife with a husband currently deployed to Afghanistan, I must commend JPAC for their mission, which is “to achieve the fullest possible accounting of all Americans missing as a result of our nations past conflicts.” Granting families who have suffered losses some closure, and simultaneously granting these fallen heroes the recognition they deserve is a truly noble cause.
Our day began with a video briefing on JPAC’s mission, introduction to the commander and other JPAC members, and a brief tour of their forensics lab.
Major General Tom, Commander of JPAC
JPAC CIL forensic anthropologist Carrie Brown gives a talk about forensic evidence used for identification.
Dogtags recovered from Vietnam.
An American Flag displayed in front of one of the lab's rooms.
Skulls created from X-rays of the scientists' own skulls, printed in plaster with a 3D printer. Part of an experiment for future identifications.
Names of Americans who have been identified so far.
We then carpooled out to Hangar 35 for the ceremony. The following information is from the JPAC press release:
The remains receiving full military honors represent losses associated with the Vietnam War and World War II. An honor detail made up of JPAC military members will carry four flag-draped transfer cases from a C-17 to a bus that will transport the cases to JPAC’s laboratory for analyses. The first two transfer cases represent the Vietnam War and were recovered from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The remaining transfer cases were recovered from the Republic of Vanuatu and Germany, and represent World War II losses.
To view my complete collection of photos from the event, please click here. I would like to thank JPAC for the opportunity to observe and photograph this solemn event, and for their service to our country.
© 2010-2012 Dallas Nagata White
