Joint Task Force Micronesia holds assumption of command ceremony

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam—Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, presided over the establishment ceremony of Joint Task Force-Micronesia at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam on June 14, 2024, where Rear Adm. Gregory C. Huffman assumed command.

The milestone highlights the significance of the first two-star command in the region in more than 70 years.

“Defending this homeland through the vision of the Guam Defense System, commanded and controlled by Joint Task Force-Micronesia is my No. 1 priority. This joint area of operations is critical terrain that enables the success of delivering integrated deterrence,” said Paparo. “By ensuring our joint force and our joint capabilities are in the right place at the right time, we are able to deliver strong deterrence to prevent conflict. Its strategic importance cannot be overstated.”

Huffman’s role as the senior military officer in the region, will emphasize the Department of Defense’s support to our pacing challenge throughout the region, and bolster relationships with U.S. allies and partner nations in the joint operating area.

The JTF-M joint operating area will include U.S. territories (Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, and Wake Island) and the Freely Associated States, comprised of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau.

“Our team thinks, acts, and operates differently, while continuing to be an innovative force that deters aggression. Our adversaries will see our accomplishments in the region, and they will see our commitment to strengthening relationships with our neighbors in the region,” said Huffman. “They will see how our military emphasizes a collaborative vision with our Allies and partners that prioritizes stability and a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

Huffman, the son of a career naval officer and a 1989 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, brings a wealth of insight to the role, based on his experience as the recent Commander of Joint Region Marianas.

The mission of the JTF-M is to synchronize operations and activities across all domains, enabling a robust warfighting posture, while enhancing partner nation capacity. The Task Force will promote regional stability, provide homeland defense, Defense Support to Civil Authorities, and foreign humanitarian assistance through a whole of government approach. (PR)