Panel OKs Pacific chief nominee

The nomination of Adm. Harry Harris Jr. as the next commander of all armed forces in the Pacific cleared a key Senate committee Tuesday, sending it to the floor for a vote by the full Senate.

The Senate Armed Services Committee approved the nomination of Harris, current commander of the Pacific Fleet, as head of the Pacific Command.

Sen. Mazie K. Hirono, a member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee who voted in favor of Harris’ nomination, said in a news release: "During my conversations with Adm. Harris, we both agreed on the importance of our country’s strategic rebalance to the Pacific and the vital role Hawaii plays in our national security. Adm. Harris has led with distinction throughout his military career. I am confident in his ability to lead our armed forces in the Pacific and look forward to continue working with him upon his confirmation by the full Senate."

Harris is the highest-ranking Japanese-American naval officer and the first to attain the rank of a four-star flag officer. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Harris has served in every geographic combatant command and was assigned in 2011 as the assistant to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Since October 2013, Harris has served as commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Headquartered at Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii, the U.S. Pacific Command is the oldest and largest of the United States’ unified commands.