New U.S. PACOM Commander Visits Manila

Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III

Commander, U.S. Pacific Command 

Adm. Locklear is a 1977 graduate of the United States Naval Academy.

His career as a surface warfare officer includes assignments aboard USS William V. Pratt (DDG 44), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), USS Callaghan (DDG 994), and USS Truxtun (CG 35), culminating in command of USS Leftwich (DD 984). Subsequent command assignments include commander, Destroyer Squadron Two; commander, Nimitz Strike Group; commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet; and commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, U.S. Naval Forces Africa, and Allied Joint Force Command Naples.

Ashore, he served as executive assistant to the Vice Chief of Naval Operations; the 78th commandant of Midshipmen, United States Naval Academy; director, Assessment Division (OPNAV N81); director, Programming Division (OPNAV N80); and, as director, Navy Staff.

He is a 1992 graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from the George Washington University.

Locklear is the commander, U.S. Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii.

His personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Service Medal with one gold star, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with four gold stars, Bronze Star Medal, and numerous individual, campaign and unit awards.

http://www.navy.mil/navydata/bios/navybio.asp?bioID=180

New U.S. PACOM Commander Visits Manila

MANILA, July 17, 2012 - Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, the four-star Admiral who heads the U.S. Pacific Command based in Honolulu, Hawaii, had productive discussions with senior Philippine government officials on maritime and regional security issues during a visit to Manila on Monday, July 16.  This was Admiral Locklear’s first visit to the Philippines since taking command of U.S. Pacific Command in March.   

At a meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III, Admiral Locklear thanked the Philippines for its hospitality and collaboration with visiting U.S. military personnel and U.S. Navy ships, which contribute millions of dollars to the Philippine economy via port fees and crew expenditures.

The Admiral also expressed his satisfaction with the recent visit to the Philippines of the USNS Mercy, which completed a two-week medical mission to the island of Samar.  During the Mercy’s mission, its 1,200 crew members and mission members drawn from partner nations and non-governmental organizations worked with Philippine government and non-governmental organizations and experts in the fields of medicine, dentistry, civil engineering and community development, to host medical, dental, veterinary and community service events and subject matter expert exchanges that reached thousands of people.  The Admiral noted that Filipino-Americans represent a significant percentage of the crew aboard the Mercy, which is typical of many U.S. Navy ships.

The Admiral also paid courtesy calls on Secretary of National Defense Voltaire T. Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Jessie Dellosa at Camp Aguinaldo and on Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert F. del Rosario.  He visited the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Fort Bonifacio.

“The United States has a multi-faceted and enduring partnership with the Philippines based on respect for Philippine sovereignty and admiration of Philippine democracy,” said Admiral Locklear. “My visit to Manila is an important part of building relationships with Asian Pacific nations, as the United States renews and reinvigorates its engagement with this region,” he added.

The U.S Pacific Command oversees an area that encompasses about half the earth's surface; includes 36 nations; and is home to more than 50% of the world's population, several of the world's largest militaries, and two of the three largest economies.  With allies and partners, USPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Asia-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, and deterring aggression.   

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