'This is what we live for': Admiral Harry Harris takes command of US Pacific forces
Highest-ranking Asian American in navy born in Japan but raised in Tennessee and Florida
US and foreign officials welcomed four-star Admiral Harry Harris, the highest-ranking Asian American in the US navy, as commander of the United States' oldest and largest geographic combatant command on Wednesday in Honolulu.
Harris assumed command of the US Pacific Command from Admiral Samuel Locklear in a ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbour-Hickam.
"There's no shortage of challenges that confront us," Harris said, noting North Korea's nuclear ambitions, China's land claims in the South China Sea and Russia's resurging military aggression.
The United States is in the midst of a "rebalance" in the Asia-Pacific region to strengthen relationships and shift resources due to growing concern over these and other challenges.
"This is hard work, but this is what we live for," Harris said. "If called upon, we will fight tonight to defend American interests in the vast Indo-Asia-Pacific."
The US Pacific Command is responsible for military operations in the areas stretching from the US West Coast to the west coast of India, and from the Arctic Sea down to Antarctica.