Army Secretary John McHugh says an Australian two-star general will become one of two deputy commanders of U.S. Army Pacific, which oversees most American soldiers in the Asia-Pacific region.

Maj. Gen. Richard Maxwell Burr of the Australian Defense Force will direct training and supervise the command’s efforts to work with countries in south Asia, plus Australia and New Zealand.

McHugh told reporters today the appointment is an extension of previous cooperation between Australia and the United States.

Maj. Gen. Roger Matthews is the command’s other deputy commanding general. He says Burr gives U.S. Army Pacific a regional expert who understands the intricacies of dealing with American allies in the region.

Burr will report to Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, a three-star general and U.S. Army Pacific’s top commander.