Air Force general becomes newest SOUTHCOM commander

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MIAMI (AFNS) --  Gen. Douglas M. Fraser became the first-ever Air Force officer to lead U.S. Southern Command during a change-of-command ceremony June 25 at the command's headquarters here.

More than 300 invited guests and military leaders attended the event, including Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Vice Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff Marine Corps Gen. James E. Cartwright as General Fraser relieved Navy Adm. James Stavridis for the top SOUTHCOM position.

General Fraser comes to SOUTHCOM from U.S. Pacific Command, headquartered in Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, where he served as the deputy commander. As SOUTHCOM's commander, he is now responsible for overseeing all U.S. military operations in Latin America and Caribbean.

"The transnational and transregional challenges we face to security, stability, and prosperity in the Americas can only be met through strong, enduring partnerships," General Fraser said. "I'm eager to work with this great team of professionals at Southern Command and our partners in South Florida and throughout the region"

"I have followed this gentleman for many years," General Cartwright said. "I am in the General Fraser fan club and have been for a long time. This is a wonderful appointment."

General Fraser is SOUTHCOM's 21st commander since it was designated in 1963. He takes over following Admiral Stavridis' nearly three-year stint at SOUTHCOM, a tenure that included the rescue of three American hostages held for five years in Colombia, the growth of several multinational exercise programs, the institutionalization of humanitarian and disaster relief missions and a complete headquarters reorganization.

Admiral Stavridis heads to NATO as the Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, headquartered in Mons, Belgium. He will also serve as the commander of U.S. European Command, in Stuttgart, Germany.

In addition to his previous post, General Fraser has also served as commander of Alaskan Command, a component command of U.S. Pacific Command; 11th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces; and Alaskan North American Defense Region, headquartered at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska.

A 1975 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and 1992 graduate of the National War College, General Fraser earned a master's degree in political
science from Auburn University in 1987.

Prior to the ceremony, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz officially promoted General Fraser to a four-star general at a small gathering of family, friends and military leaders in the SOUTHCOM headquarters.

SOUTHCOM is one of six geographic combatant commands in the DOD. The command's region encompasses more than 30 countries in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Its mission is to conduct military operations and promote security cooperation to achieve U.S. strategic objectives.