The world’s largest forward-deployed naval force welcomed a new commander during a change of command ceremony in Yokosuka, Japan, on Thursday, according to a release.

Vice Adm. Patrick J. Hannifin took over for Vice Adm. Fred W. Kacher as commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet, which covers the Navy’s largest operations area, deploying between 50 and 70 vessels and submarines, 150 aircraft and more than 27,000 Navy and Marine personnel.

“I’m deeply proud of our U.S. 7th Fleet ships, aircraft and sailors who operate forward to advance a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Kacher. ”Our goal at U.S. 7th Fleet is that this One Team is so prepared, so ready, that every day our potential adversaries look out at what we do and how we do it and conclude, ‘today is not the day.’”

Kacher, who began hi

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