United States Pacific Command

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Emblem of the United States Pacific Command
Emblem of the United States Pacific Command

The United States Pacific Command (USPACOM), led by the Commander, Pacific Command (CDRUSPACOM), is the supreme military authority for the various branches of the Armed Forces of the United States serving within its area of responsibility (AOR). Only the President of the United States, who is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the Secretary of Defense advised by the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) have greater authority. It is the oldest and largest of the ten Unified Combatant 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 East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Alaska, Madagascar, and Oceania. It also has control over U.S. military operations in the Pacific, including the state of Hawaii, Indian Oceans as well as over forces in Alaska.

The main combat power of USPACOM is formed by U.S. Army Pacific, Marine Forces Pacific, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Pacific Air Forces.

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PACOM Area Of Responsibility
PACOM Area Of Responsibility

The United States Pacific Command's area of jurisdiction can be quantified as follows: over fifty percent of the world's surface area —approximately 105 million square miles (nearly 272 million square kilometers)—, nearly sixty percent of the world's population, forty-three countries, twenty territories, and 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 (SEATO, 1955)
  • U.S./Japan (Mutual Defense Treaty, 1960)

In addition, PACOM's area of responsibility covers Taiwan whose defense relationship with the United States is governed by the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979)

Thirty-five percent of the total trade of 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, India, Russia, North Korea and South Korea.

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 comprises over 530 Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy officers and enlisted personnel with the support of an additional 110 civilian personnel.

In the operational chain of command, the Commander of USPACOM reports directly to the Secretary of Defense and the President. In the administrative chain of command, USPACOM reports through the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.[1]

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.

Prior to 2002, the office of the Commander had held the title of Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (CINCPAC). On October 24, 2002, the Commander was given the new title Commander, U.S. Pacific Command (CDRUSPACOM) along with some organizational changes. Note: CINCPAC is not to be confused with CINCPACFLT, the former name (and subordinate command of CINCPAC) of the Commander of the US Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT).[2]

Admiral Keating visits the Maldives on November 21, 2007.
Admiral Keating visits the Maldives on November 21, 2007.

USPACOM is a unified command which includes about 300,000 military personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps (about 20 percent of all active duty U.S. military forces). These forces are in three categories: Forward-Deployed (about 100,000), Forward-Based, and Continental U.S. (CONUS)-Based which comprise the remainder.[3]

 Military of the United States Portal
  1. ^ U.S. Pacific Command: About
  2. ^ U.S. Pacific Command: History
  3. ^ U.S. Pacific Command: About
v • d • e
Flag of the United States Unified Combatant Commands of the United States armed forces
Regional responsibilities Africa Command - Central Command - European Command - Northern Command - Pacific Command - Southern Command
Functional responsibilities Joint Forces Command - Special Operations Command - Strategic Command - Transportation Command
Inactivated United States Strike Command - United States Atlantic Command - United States Space Command - United States Readiness Command
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Pacific_Command"
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