United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM)

Since my arrival in Florida, time has certainly flown by…

I assumed command last Thursday morning, the 25^th of June, with a truly a magnificent Change of Command ceremony at the United States Southern Command headquarters here in Miami. A beautiful sunrise greeted me

Gen. James “Hoss” Cartwright, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presents me with the official colors—called a “guidon” or standard—of Southern Command. This part of the ceremony signifies the actual transfer of leadership responsibility from Admiral Jim Stavridis, pictured here standing behind the Vice Chairman, who departed to take command of NATO and European Command forces.

as I came to the event, and I was very fortunate to be able to share this special time with family and friends, as well as our international and interagency partners and members from several non-governmental organizations. Near the end of the ceremony, the skies darkened and it started to rain…instead of letting it dampen our spirits, however, we remembered the adage that rain during any significant event is a sign of good fortune. With the downpour as an indicator, we are going to have a great tour! Thank you very much to all who were able to come join us in Miami to help us celebrate the occasion! Rena and I would also like to extend our sincere thanks and gratitude to Jim and Laura Stavridis—they set the bar amazingly high!

This command and this entire region have benefited immensely from their tireless travels, your level of personal engagement, and the dedication to partnering and teamwork within our shared home. Fair winds and following seas!

It is a tremendous honor to be entrusted by the President of the United States and the Secretary of Defense to serve as the leader of such an incredible organization as Southern Command, and to be able to return to this vibrant region. After graduating from high school in Bogotá, Colombia in 1971, I never dreamed that I would be able to come back to the extended neighborhood I once called home. My career in the Air Force had me flying planes, and leading those who fly and maintain them, so I was pleased to be told that I was to “take the stick” here at SOUTHCOM. I have come home…and I look forward to my trips into the region as I reacquaint myself with the lands of my youth.

Now, I truly have the mantle of command. Who knows how we ever got anything done prior to the invention of the Blackberry? I don’t think I’m quite old enough to remember smoke signals and carrier pigeons, but I’m close!

I discussed some of these initial thoughts and plans with our service component commanders and joint task force commanders later Thursday afternoon. I shared my priorities with them, and then listened to frank discussions on their top issues and proposed solutions. Across the board, the message was the same: we want to continue the amazing work and build on the tremendous efforts and relationships that have been built over the last several years. I look forward with great interest to visiting each of these commands and getting to know the men and women who are on the ground, doing the great work and carrying the message that “we care” to all our partners and neighbors in the region. (Picture from Change of Command)

One of the shining examples of such joint, combined, interagency and international cooperation and partnership is the Joint Interagency Task Force–South (JIATF-S) located in Key West. I was honored that my first official act as Commander was to preside at the Change of Command as RADM Joe Nimmich handed over the helm of this national treasure to RADM Dan Lloyd. In a parallel to my ceremony, Dan is following in the footsteps of another gifted leader who has excelled in every possible manner and set records in each of the past three years.

I am presenting the outgoing commander of the Joint Interagency Task Force, South (JIATF-S), Rear Admiral Joe Nimmich with a Defense Distinguished Service Medal for his exceptional leadership and accomplishments while at the helm of what is truly a national treasure and the gold standard of joint, combined, interagency and international teamwork and cooperation in confronting the challenge of illicit narcotics trafficking. Standing behind Joe is another outstanding officer with a stellar career, Rear Admiral Dan Lloyd, who took command of JIATF-S on 26 June.

And just likeat my Change of Command, Dan was lucky to have great weather during his transition, as well—it rained buckets! I’m beginning to see a theme here, and I think it bodes well for the future.

After an eventful weekend with family and friends, AND with some unexpected work, I addressed my new Command for the first time on Monday morning. What I told them applies equally well to how I expect to approach my efforts in the region:

Act with Integrity
Innovate and look for ways to improve
Partner to build on one another’s strengths
Persevere and find a way to make good things happen.

In just a few short days, I’ve already been able to bear witness to the extraordinary bonds of friendship, camaraderie and teamwork. This is due in large part to the open and professional exchange at all levels—public and private, civilian and military, foreign and domestic—that you all have worked so hard to create and nurture. I hope we can all continue to build on this—I truly feel that no one of us is as strong as all of us together!

If the first 5 days are any indication, this is going to be an exciting and event-filled tour…I only hope it lasts as long as possible. It is absolutely wonderful to be back home—I cannot wait to start meeting and reacquainting myself with all the other inhabitants of our extended familia!

- Gen. Doug Fraser