Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III delivers remarks during a change of command ceremony where Army Gen. Laura J. Richardson assumes duties as commander of U.S. Southern Command from Navy Adm. Craig S. Faller at Southcom headquarters in Doral, Florida.

Transcript

Good afternoon Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the United States Southern Command change of command ceremony during which Admiral craig. S Faller. United States Navy will relinquish command to General Laura j Richardson. United States Army. The ceremony will also acknowledge admiral fallers 38 year career as he retires from the United States Navy. The United States Southern Command is comprised of five components and three joint Task forces and they are represented at today’s ceremony by their commanders and senior enlisted advisors. The service components are United States Army South headquartered at Fort Sam Houston Texas. United States Marine Forces South, headquartered in New Orleans Louisiana. United States Naval Forces Southern Command headquartered at Mayport Naval Base Florida. United States Southern Air Force headquartered at Davis month um Air Force Base Arizona and United States Special Operations Command South headquartered at Homestead Air Reserve Base Florida. The Joint Task Forces are Joint interagency Task Force South located in Key west Florida. Joint Task Force Guantanamo located at Naval station Guantanamo Bay Cuba. And Joint Task Force bravo located at Soto Cano. Air Base Honduras. We are honored to have today Representatives of the many nations with which we are proud to partner with in central and south America and the Caribbean attending both in person and virtually here with us today are representatives from Antigua Bahamas. Barbados, Belize brazil Canada chile Colombia, Costa Rica Dominican Republic France, Guatemala Guyana Honduras. Jamaica Mexico. The Netherlands Panama Paraguay. Peru ST Lucia, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago. Also present are senior representatives from the Caribbean community implementation agency for crime and Security and the inter american defense board. A very special welcome to Senator Joni Ernst and United States Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Steve Womack. Also in attendance are the Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Charles Brown and the commandant of the Coast Guard. Admiral Karl Schultz. We would also like to welcome members of the diplomatic corps and our interagency partners as well as senior leaders from the federal military and civilian community. We are especially honored to welcome the Secretary of defense, the honorable Lloyd J. Austin the third and the Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A Milley, United States Army who will preside over today’s ceremony. Ladies and gentlemen please stand for the arrival of the official party and remain standing for honors, the presentation of colors, national anthem and invocation delivered by Captain Curtis Price, United States Navy command chaplain. Uh huh Arthur Right the other. Oh colors ready cut forward work. Yeah. Mhm. Yeah. Mhm. Okay please. Oh. Mhm. Mhm. Yeah. Oh yeah. What? Oh yeah yeah America land that I love. Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above from the mountains to the prairies to the oceans wide with phone. God bless America my home sweet home from the mountains to the prairies to the oceans wide with foam. God bless America. My home sweet home. God bless America. My home sweet home. Yeah. Yeah let us pray. Oh mighty God as we witness the transfer of authority and the military might of our great nation From one military commander to another. Help us to always keep in mind that such power is at its greatest when it is used in the pursuit of peace. May this day be a testimony of our nation’s commitment to peace and freedom around the world. May our ideals be on full display for all to see that we believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness and that we are willing to lay down our lives in the defense of those ideals. Grant this day your blessing as we celebrate the peaceful transition of command from Admiral Faller to General Richardson. Thank you for the last few years with Admiral Faller and for Martha and for teaching us above all else the transformative and strategic power of relationships. Bless them. Their daughter jess and her husband Sam and the grandchildren, Finn and Henry and bless their daughter Abby, her husband Brian and granddaughter Caroline. And as they set off on new adventures, bless their constant companions. Hunter and Elvis. And as we transition to new leadership bless now Lord our new commander. General Richardson. Grant her wisdom and her every decision as she leads us into tomorrow. Bless her husband. Lieutenant General Richardson. Her daughter Lauren and granddaughter. Anna extended family and friends. Help each to feel welcomed by the south um family blessed now each member of the um team and the mission you have entrusted to each of us. When we ask in your holy name. Amen, ladies and gentlemen, please be seated at this time. Please direct your attention to the screen. In the back of the gymnasium or a brief message from the Secretary of the Navy, the honorable Carlos del Toro Craig. I’m sorry I can’t join you today as you pipe ashore for the last time. Right now. I’m meeting with our allies and partners in the indo pacific region where you served so honorably for so many years. That’s just one of the many parts of the world that has benefited from your superior service throughout the years. When we commissioned together in 1983, it was clear that you had the technical skills to be a great generosity. But it was also clear that you have the leadership capability and the bedrock integrity to one day, reached the highest levels of command through every challenge. From Cold War to gulf War 9 11 to the tsunami. You’ve come through for our fleet, our navy and our world as Commander of South. Um you’ve delivered for our joint forests and our many great allies and partners in this hemisphere. The Unitas exercise we recently completed in Peru is a perfect example of that. Over 5000 personnel from 20 nations operated side by side on 32 ships. These opportunities to train and operate together are critical to the future, security and prosperity of this region. We all call home craig. That’s just one of the many achievements at south calm under your watch, compassion, determination, lifesaving leadership. You demonstrated in response to the earthquake in Haiti is an inspiration to us all. And thanks to you. South com is better position to counter threat networks respond to natural disasters and work together with our neighbors as a Cuban immigrant. I know the importance of freedom, dignity and security in the region. I know that we must stand alongside our allies and our partners in the south. The spirit of mutual strength and respect. I’m proud of all that you have done and everyone at South column has achieved and I know you leave this command in good hands. General Richardson. Thank you for taking on this crucial role. I look forward to working with you as well and to craig and Martha. Thanks for all that you’ve done for our sailors fair winds and following seas for your well deserved retirements. Congratulations Shipmate and classmates. Ladies and gentlemen, it is now my pleasure to introduce the Chairman. Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A Milley, United States Army. I wanna just take a moment and say thank you to all of you for being here and participating in this event. It’s an important event for our nation and most importantly, it’s an important event uh, for the Fowler and Richardson family and for the entire South com family. So thank you all for being here. There’s the Senators, this congressman, There’s members of the joint Chiefs. Uh, there’s all kinds of dignitaries. Chiefs of Defense from 47 different nations and partners here. So many of you have made the trip to be here to celebrate this day. And I just want to say thank you to all of you. I want to say a particular thanks uh, to the sec def presiding over the ceremony. I’ve known. Sec def Austin uh, for many, many years, decades. In fact, this is a man of enormous integrity, a man that I have seen personally up close in combat as we fought the fight on many, many occasions in the Middle East and elsewhere. We are incredibly lucky to have you standing tall as our secretary defense. Well, thank you sir for being here. There are many of you who are here, but perhaps none more important I think, than the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, space guardians and coast guardsmen and all of the many, many civilians assigned or attached to the United States Southern Command for 50 years. Southern Command has built an incredible reputation for regional expertise for inter agency cooperation and partnership throughout the entire Western Hemisphere. Uh, and there are thousands of you who are doing it 24 73 65 uh, risking your life, your limb uh, separating from your family and sacrificing on a day to day basis. And many of you who are, they’re assigned a senior, um, are not here today. So I want to extend a warm welcome to them. Even if they are joining us by zoom or Vtc or whatever means uh we have the integration of the inter agency efforts and military capabilities and the partners that Southern Command has brought together has really put meat on the bones of a concept that sector Boston has introduced to us called integrated deterrence. Uh and it means a great deal not only in Asia and Europe and Africa, the Middle East, but it means a great deal right here in our own Western hemisphere. The Southern Command works together with our partner nations to fight transnational criminal organizations, to counter the malign influences of adversary nations that dare to come into the Western Hemisphere to respond to natural disasters and help our friends in need to meet any challenge that comes our way. And so um does all of this with teams that work together to accomplish big things with a clear eyed goal of ensuring our hemispheric stability. Our regional partners of the bulwark of security and stability in this hemisphere. The United States is a great country, great power, but we don’t do anything alone. We do it with our friends and partners. And there are 23 I think represented here today of the 47 allies and partners that throughout the region and I’d like to acknowledge them with a round of applause Mhm. Many of the countries in the region have fought shoulder to shoulder with the United States military and various campaigns from World War Two to Korea to Vietnam and throughout, not only this region but elsewhere. Uh and that has been incredibly significant to our country. This is in fact a neighborhood of neighbors of the Western Hemisphere is and it’s all of ours. This hemisphere belongs to us and to no one else and we’re all shoulder to shoulder in that common cause to protect our hemisphere from any international threats. Economic competition is welcome. Any country that ever wants to compete economically is welcome to do so. But efforts to undermine the security of this hemisphere, undermine our collective security and our cooperation undermine our prosperity will be met with a strong partnerships that we have new together over many, many years under the leadership of Southern Command deterrence against our potential adversaries such as china or Russia or Iran or terrorists or drug cartels or human traffickers or any other threat will be met with a unified level of resistance by every single country in this hemisphere. And we have seen that over many, many years over the last three years, South com has done exactly that Under the great leadership of Craig Fowler, Admiral Fallon has accomplished all of these tasks to an exceptionally high degree. And for that craig not only me personally, as a friend of yours for many, many years, but on behalf of the United States, on behalf of all the countries in the Southern Command, A Aurora, I want to say thank you to you And Craig didn’t get here by himself. None of us ever do at these ranks. And it’s really because of Craig’s family that he sits here before you. After 38 consecutive years of faithful service to our country. Craig’s father couldn’t be here with us today, but he’s watching virtually. Craig’s father is an army veteran. So he chose the correct service craig. And uh, and I can only imagine why you did not join the army enough said even if you were classmates with the Secretary of the Navy, Craig’s mother unfortunately has passed on and couldn’t be with us. But I am quite certain that she is looking down upon this ceremony today with incredible pride in all that you have accomplished. It’s Craig’s mom and dad who molded him and gave him the values and the character that have withstood the pressure test of life at sea and peace and war and understood the demands of military high command in multiple theaters. The mom and dad, we also say thank you for loaning us Craig Fallon. Yeah. And I can also say without a doubt that Craig would not be here if it were not for Martha. She has been by his side for 37 of his 38 years of commission service And every single time she sings God bless America or the national anthem or any other song she inspires us. Also. Martha thank you. Yeah. You know, Martha Has managed the Fowler family through 27 moves a countless leadership positions over the years. She’s raised two tremendous daughters, Jessica and Abby while simultaneously serving the navy sailors and their families. And now in this joint command, she’s done the same for our soldiers, some marines, our airmen, Coast Guardsmen with thousands of hours of volunteer service and service. Also as an Arlington, lady Martha has comforted the families of our fallen who are buried in National Arlington National Cemetery. She doesn’t get paid a dime for anything she has done over the years and she’s been absolutely instrumental here at CNN. Her family heritage is also from Brazil and she demonstrates that the cloth of the United States is woven into the multicultural cloth of our nation. Her father Lynn all who Immigrated to the United States from Brazil in 1947. He also contributes and helps craig as a cultural advisor. Martha is a professional singer, as you just heard a classical guitarist and has served as the executive director for a major U. S. Company all the while. She has served those around her and being a fantastic example of what it means to be a serving military spouse. So thank you again, Martha for your leadership and your support to craig and Craig and Martha is incredibly, talented daughters. Abby and Jessica. They couldn’t be here with us in person today. But they are watching as well. And I would like to say just a word or two about them because it is your unconditional love of your father. That has allowed him also to be sitting here today. Jessica is the mother of two boys, Henry and Finn and Abby is the mother to their first granddaughter Caroline. There are both talented, resilient, smart, good parents, wonderful adults. And I can tell you they are both the best friends of Craig and Martha. They moved just about every year in school. Sometimes they didn’t want to but they did anyway and they didn’t volunteer for this life of service. They were drafted into it. But they did it nonetheless. And they served and sacrificed every bit as much as anyone of us in uniform. So thank you, jester and Abby for your service and sacrifice. Which one of them? Yeah. Which Hollywood square are they correct? Very good. So craig is done some incredible things here at South Common throughout his career. A career that started humbly on the deck plates of the the mighty socar the USs south Carolina, a nuclear power guided missile cruiser. Through his command of the Ali burke destroyer. The USS stethem a ship that was named after a sailor who refused to aid terrorists on a T. W. A flight 847 and paid for his resistance with his life. Craig also commanded the Carrier Strike Group three providing options for the then centcom commander. An incredible combat air support to both Iraq and Afghanistan. You’re an operations new dawn and enduring freedom. Craig has also done all the hard staff jobs including the Centcom J7 and then later the senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense General Secretary. Retired Mattis Craig’s accomplishments are numerous and his leadership has impacted the entire joint force and he is personally ensured that us competitive and positional advantage here in the Western hemisphere through a results oriented campaign, some of which you just heard from the Secretary of the Navy assessing outcomes and working together with our partners, both in the region and across the interagency. Craig is tied together all kinds of activities for the common good. His champion professionalism with our partner nations and the security force business. He has led senior enlisted development and I want to highlight he played a crucial role in the first ever hemispheric Why Defense senior enlisted leader conference and that he was done. He did that with his trusted assistant. His commands are Major Ben jones over here. At his sights are major jones. Thank you for all you do. And all you represent as a senior enlisted in South Kona Craig’s focus on senior enlisted development shares with the entire region. One of the key strengths of the U. S. Military, the professional N. C. O. Corps and they are in fact the standard bearers and the watch keepers of our entire profession. So thank you sir. Okay and Craig led South com to focus on threats specifically transnational criminal organization and Craig developed an innovative approaches to combat them in close cooperation with our interagency partners and South commons, demonstrating what integrated deterrence is all about. He championed the first ever all domain plan to counter transnational criminal organizations throughout the hemisphere with our partner nations and improved our intelligence sharing through multinational, nontraditional I. S. R. And machine learning all of you under craig’s leadership, every single soldier, Sailor, Airman Marine Guardian Coast guardsmen puts it all on the line for the security and stability of this region and alongside our partners, many of whom have made the trip here today to congratulate Craig and Martha and to welcome Laura and Jim Richardson, all of you are what makes this command so special and I’m thrilled to see what happens next under the steady leadership of Laura Richardson as she assumes command here in just a few minutes under the hand of Secretary Defense Austin Laura is exactly the right person at the right time to take command at South Kona. She and her husband Jim or a tremendous example of what it means to serve and I’m certain that she will build upon the work and accomplishments that craig and the entire team here have done Greg Martha, the entire nation. Thanks you, thanks you and your entire family for your service and sacrifice over four consecutive decades. So right now we’re gonna up in a couple of tokens of appreciation that have been earned through your four decades of faithful service and we in the military and we in the nation honor you and your entire family. So now let’s go ahead and present your awards. Ladies and gentlemen, this time, General Milley will present awards to Admiral and Mrs. Fowler. Mrs. Fowler. Please join Admiral Faller in General Milley. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated during the presentation of awards. The Secretary of Defense has awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Craig’s father, United States Navy For exceptionally meritorious service in a duty of great responsibility as Commander, United States Southern Command from November 2018 to October 2021. Admiral Faller strategic vision and served the United States maintain a competitive and positional advantage in the Western hemisphere by aligning the new United States Southern Command Strategy and campaign plan with the national military, national defense and national security strategies. He tirelessly led the first ever all domain plan to increase targeting of transnational criminal organizations and facilitated partner nation participation and disruptions. The expeditiously supported partner nation humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts highlighted by lifesaving responses to hurricanes, ETA and Iota and an earthquake in Haiti. He orchestrated the command’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and created a safe work environment with the highest standards of force, health protection, the distinctive accomplishments of Admiral Faller culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and reflect great credit upon himself. The United States Navy and the Department of Defense. Mhm. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has awarded the Distinguished Public Service award to Martha P Faller, who distinguished herself by exemplary leadership, service and support to United States Southern Command soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Guardian civilians and family members from November 2018 to October 2021. During this period, she worked tirelessly as a representative of goodwill and selflessly advocated for quality of life issues for command personnel and their families throughout the south calm area of responsibility. Her extraordinary talent and enthusiasm in supporting numerous command wine, special events supported the United States Southern Command build our team line of effort centered on themes of working together shared best practices and improving readiness. Mrs. Fowler rapidly recognized the need to support service members, civilians and family members. She initiated the creation of and became an advisor for Team South com. This United Force multiplier to build morale and unity, enhanced member and community quality of life and provide community resources through a network of communication and mutual support. The distinctive accomplishments of Mrs. Fowler are in keeping with the finest traditions of public service and reflect great credit upon herself. The United States Southern Command, the Department of Defense and our Nation. Ladies and gentlemen, Admiral Mrs. Fathers daughters, Mrs. Jessica alexander and Mrs. Abigail heading here are joining us virtually Mrs. Fowler on behalf of her daughters will receive from General Milley certificates of appreciation signed by the Secretary of the Navy. The certificate reads on the occasion of your father, Admiral Craig, as follows, retirement from the United States Navy. You have earned the nation’s grateful appreciation for your own faithful and dedicated service. Your steadfast support, understanding and love helped make possible your father’s lasting contribution to the United States of America. His 38 years of service and commitment meant that he often missed holidays and important family events and with every new assignment it meant packing up again, saying goodbye to friends and starting a new school. Through it all you remain resolute and resilient. Thank you for always keeping the faith and for blooming where planted your spirit of sacrifice and devotion to family, reflect great credit upon yourself and the Department of the Navy. Ladies and gentlemen at this time, Master Sergeant Williams represent a bouquet of roses to Mrs. Fowler on behalf of the men and men and women of the United States Southern Command It in accordance with tradition, the roses are in full bloom representing the many contributions she has made to this command and community throughout her tenure at U. S. Southern Command. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, please remain seated as Admiral Faller and Command. Sergeant Major jones present the Joint meritorious Unit a warrant and streamer to headquarters, United States Southern Command. The Joint meritorious unit Award recognizes Joint units and activities for outstanding heroism or achievement performed during times of war, international tension, national emergencies or extraordinary situations that involve national interests by direction of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Secretary of Defense. The Joint Meritorious Unit Award has been awarded to United States Southern Command For exceptionally meritorious service during the period of one November 2018 – 30, September 2021. During this period, Headquarters United States Southern Command. Its Security cooperation, offices, components and Joint and interagency Task Forces demonstrated exemplary commitment and leadership to become a mission ready and trusted partner. Working collaboratively with the inter-agency partners and allies to ensure the Western Hemisphere is secure, free and prosperous. The Southern Command team executed over 500 Humanitarian assistance projects totaling over $100 million central and South America and the Caribbean impacted by COVID-19 powerful storms and a devastating earthquake. The Southern Command team pioneered new initiatives to establish relationships with key interagency partners, improve awareness across the enterprise and enhanced integration and coordination across the region. The commands counter threat operations, capacity building and rapid response activities, increased interdictions by 55 leverage public private partnerships to help promote regional stability and strengthen relationships and interoperability throughout the Western Hemisphere by their exemplary performance of duty. The members of the United States Southern Command have brought great credit upon themselves and the Department of Defense at this time. The Secretary Defense, the honorable Lloyd J. Austin the third will conduct the change of command ceremony from Admiral Faller to General Richardson. Please remain seated Warriors since the beginning of history have traditionally rallied around a standard as a symbol of unity and loyalty. Today the United States Southern Command continues this tradition. Command Sergeant Major Benjamin Jones, United States Army representing the importance of noncommissioned officers to the armed forces of the United States and within the United States. Southern Command will pass the colors to the outgoing commander. Admiral follow, relinquishes the colors to Secretary Defense. The honorable Lloyd J. Austin the third, thereby signifying termination of his period in command. The Secretary Defense presents the colors to the new commander. General Richardson charging her with the responsibility for mission accomplishment and the welfare of her forces. General Richardson assumes command and returns the colors to the command Sergeant Major, signifying her acceptance of command responsibilities and the continuation of the mission. United States Southern Command Office of the Commander subject, assumption of command by authority of the President of the United States of America. The undersigned assumes command of the United States Southern Command. Miami Florida Effective 29, October 2021 signed Laura J. Richardson. General, United States Army Commanding, Yeah, ladies and gentlemen. The Secretary of events. The honorable Lloyd J. Austin to third. Mhm Yeah, good afternoon everyone. It is great to be here. You know, after my time at Central Command. Coming back to Florida always feels like coming home at the outset. Let me thank the families and friends of Admiral Faller and General Richardson for joining us. It’s great to see so many of you here in person and I want to thank everyone who’s joining us virtually as well. I’m glad to be here with members of Congress and General Milley and many of our Department of Defense colleagues as well as business and community leaders from south Florida. I also want to welcome our guests from around the region, including ministers and chiefs of Defense diplomats and government representatives. We are honored to have you with us. Let me also offer a word of special thanks to all those who worked hard to put this event together. You have taken a gymnasium and turned it into a very, very special place. And all of us who are here recognize that That’s no simple feat. So a round of applause for all those who work. Mhm. Now we’re here to celebrate some of Admiral followers proudest achievements. We’re also here to salute Dostum’s outstanding new leader. General Richardson. But before I say more about these two tremendous leaders. I want to say a few words about the important work that you all do here in mid-august the men and women of this command. We’re ready for a quiet Saturday after a busy work week. But at 8:30 AM, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Haiti and churches and schools and homes collapsed boulders block the roads. one of America’s Neighbors needed help. And so you raced to respond all of you from Admiral Faller on down, You sent aircraft to survey the damage, helicopters from joint Task Force bravo and Puerto rico’s National Guard delivered food and aid and working together with U. S. A. I. D. You save hundreds of lives. It was a massive effort. But you know, that’s what South com does. Time and again. You step up after disasters. You also helped disrupt criminal organizations and you helped keep illicit drugs away from our shore’s and you never let up. Even during a global pandemic. And even across a huge region with major security challenges, You know, South Com covers over 16 million square miles. That’s more than five times the size of the contiguous United States. And some might find that daunting. But to you, it’s just another day’s work and I want you to know how much we appreciate it. So let’s have a round of applause for all that you do. You’ve earned it take about South. Um, as you heard the chairman say, when we talk about this area of responsibility, we’re talking about our neighborhood. So shutouts work is vital to American security and American interests and American values and when there’s instability nearby, it can echo here at home Think of the crisis of COVID 19 or the transnational criminal organizations that thrive on corruption and he wrote democratic institutions or the disruption and damage of climate change. We have to tackle these challenges together as neighbors and friends and self com is building and strengthening true partnerships rooted in respect and communication and candor. A true partnership means deepening the ways that we work together. And so um has years of experience of conducting military exercises with our partners. And Craig Fowler will tell you that this is one of the reasons that we had such a well-coordinated international relief effort after Hades recent earthquake. We know our military partners and they know us. And True Partnership means expanding security Corporation Today. South com helps our neighbors deter detect and defend against cyber threats. This command helps counter drug traffic and True Partnership also means humanitarian assistance and disaster response, whether it’s an earthquake or a pandemic or a catastrophe related to climate change. We’re there to help. And so when Covid 19 hit, Admiral Filer secured more than $90 million for medical equipment and field hospitals and cold storage containers and more for our partners. United States government has also donated nearly 34 million vaccine doses to this region and we’re going to keep on fighting Covid in the region because that’s what Friends do and because we understand that a threat to global health anywhere is a threat to security everywhere. And finally, True partnership means that this administration will continue to make it a priority to build closer ties across the hemisphere. You know, back in June Vice President Harris visited Guatemala where she talked about finding hope in the face of crisis. The Vice president said hope does not exist by itself. It must be coupled with relationships of trust and so um strengthens those relationships of trust each and every day. And that gets us all closer to the bright future that this hemisphere can share. You see, our partnerships are based on much more than proximity. They’re based on shared values of equitable growth and prosperity and they’re based on common commitment to human rights and human dignity and they’re based on the region’s longstanding consensus in favor of democracy. Last week, my friend and colleague Secretary of state Blinken was in Latin America and I want to reiterate something that he said, he said a strong democracy works for all of its people, not just the wealthy or the well-connected and not just the powerful but for all of its people. The military’s job is to respect the will of the people, not politics and to protect democracy. Now defending these shared values will rely on what I call integrated deterrence. It is a 21st century vision for security that pulls together technology and operational concepts and capabilities all woven together and deeply networked so that we can continue to deter conflict seamlessly across every domain and throughout every theater and from every foe under integrated deterrence. The United States military doesn’t stand apart. We’re here to support and strengthen, strengthen the work of our diplomats and to help advance a foreign policy that uses all instruments of our power in this region. That means helping our neighbors strengthen their capabilities. It means sharing information and it means working in lockstep with our partners. These relationships can help help combat malign influence in a region that’s vital to the United States of America and our network of alliances and partnerships are a force multiplier that no competitor can match. No. Admiral Fowler has been executing this strategy ever since he arrived at CNN. He attributes his ability to think big to its parents actually. His mother, Audrey, who I know is dearly missed and his father Henry who served in the army and who is watching virtually with his wife, JD. And during Craig’s time at the Naval Academy he met Martha Who has been by his side as you’ve heard for more than 37 years and Martha on top of being an outstanding vocalists and guitarists. You have demonstrated selfless servants to this nation on behalf of the whole department. I want to thank you for your lifetime of support, your support for Craig, your support for our military and your support for this command. As you heard the chairman say, the following followers have two wonderful daughters, Jessica and Abby who you saw on the screen there a minute ago. And Jessica and Abby as the chairman said, you had to move just about every year in school. And as young girls, you survived the greatest tests of any families Fortitude course. I’m talking about camping and your parents took camping to a whole new level with a cross country trip in one of those Coleman pop up campers. So you deserve a medal for that. But seriously you served right alongside your dad and I know that your parents could not be prouder of who you’ve become and the career is that you are pursuing and the families that you are raising Now I had the chance to work with admiral. Follow when he was my J three at centcom. We soon discovered that we share a love of fishing and while craig has flawless operational skills during work hours, it turns out that he’s not much of a map reader when it when the fish are biting. But when it comes to navigating south, tom Admiral Craig. Faller leaves nothing to chance. He’s brought the inter agency and our partners closer together and he really listens and that’s pretty refreshing coming from Washington because there sometimes you can run into people who don’t listen. They pause but not Admiral Faller. You’d be hard pressed to find the name a leader in this region who he hasn’t reached out to. He believes to his core that there’s no such thing as an unimportant partner or an unimportant member of the team and from this very Jim, he’s held town hall so that he could hear directly from all of you. And I hear that often when you had a free moment, the admiral might pop by your desk and ask how your day is going and what you’re working on. So Admiral, as you signed off today, you bring to an end a tremendous career that has spanned nearly four decades craig. I know that your last day in uniform may be bittersweet, but as you retire, I hope you will take deep pride in knowing that you have made a large and lasting contribution to the defense of this nation, a nation that you love dearly bravo Zulu and well done my friend. Now we’ve got a tremendous trail trail blazing leader to seize the baton and that’s General Laura Richardson for the better part of three decades. The United States Army has benefited from her professionalism and dedication. So I want to thank her parents who always told her that you can do anything that you want to do. Her father, Jan served in the army reserves and her mother Suzanne nudge the future general towards ROTC ROTC in college And we’re lucky that two of Laura’s three siblings, Janice and Darwin also joined the army. This is an extraordinary military family in flight school at fort Rucker. Laura met her husband. Jim Lieutenant General Jim Richardson is now the deputy commanding general of army futures command. Jim thanks for all that you do now you don’t mess with Team Richardson, you don’t mess with. Early in Operation Iraqi. Freedom Laura commanded an assault helicopter battalion and Jim commanded an attack to tight and together they flew missions to support the same infantry brigade on the ground And during one Operation Jim’s Apache was badly damaged. Now pilots will tell you that flying low and slow in enemy territory is just about the most dangerous thing that you can do. But Jim had Laura by sight and she flew her Blackhawk alongside Jim to him back to safety. Talk about husbands who need to ask for directions. But the Richardson’s always get each other home. And above all your teamwork has shone through. In raising your daughter Lauren. She is serving her country as well as an analyst for the U. S. Coast Guard. Now in Washington, Laura headed up the army senate liaison division and she would bring congressional delegations into Iraq. That’s how I first got to know Laura and I’ve been impressed with her ever since. Most recently she led us army north doing everything from fighting wildfires to helping Americans get vaccinated. It was an extraordinary time and she did an extraordinary job. Everyone who has served with her has learned two things. First, there isn’t a crisis that she can’t handle. And second she loves skittles. So if you don’t love skills you’re gonna see a lot of skittles now from now on Laura. So it never hurts to have a bunch of skittles handy when the when the generals around as the president says she is pushing open the doors of opportunity for all women in our military. And today general Richardson will make history as the first woman to ever lead como. But she but she will tell you that being first doesn’t matter when you’re focused on being the best and that’s exactly what she is Laura, I have complete confidence in you and I know that you’re going to do what it takes to ensure that this great command gets better and better and better. The stakes are high and in south com saw exactly that when hurricanes ETA and iota struck nearly a year ago within just two weeks, two category four storms that pummeled central America in a small community in Honduras, the storms destroyed people’s homes But four buildings stood strong. Socom special purpose marine air ground task force had built these buildings five years earlier and that’s where neighbors found shelter from the storms. And I can’t think of a better testament to the work of this great command. Under Admiral Filers leadership South com helped fortify everything that those structures represent, our commitment to the region, our support for our neighbors, our dedication to our shared security and those buildings are symbols of the mighty foundation upon which General Richardson will build south. Um you know that the storms may come, but the work that you build endorse and the trust that you build endorsed and the hope that you build indoors. Thank you and Godspeed. Yeah. Mhm. Ladies and gentlemen, Admiral Craig? S Faller, United States Navy. Mm hmm. Mhm. I wasn’t sure if I’d be smiling or crying. Thank you two best words in the English language. Our thoughts are filled with gratitude. That’s the way I would describe how I feel, how we feel about today. We’re grateful for the opportunity to have served this great nation and in this wonderful command, we’re very thankful for all that are here today for those that are watching virtually. We’re thankful for the love and support of so many for so long that allowed us to do this and surf. We could not have done it without all of you and our family on the screen. It’s been a rewarding and humbling journey. I want to echo what the Secretary of Defense said about the work that went into a ceremony like today as much as I kept saying, let’s only have one rehearsal. That was probably not realistic. The from the audio visual to the tech to just put in the match down. I’d like to thank our team protocol. Joint Visitors Bureau. Everybody else has played into this. Some mighty garrison team. Thank you very much. Yeah. Yeah. We’ve all worked through the challenges of a global pandemic. And were those of us that are here are grateful for good health. However, at the same time we wish more family could have been here including our daughters Jessica and Abby because of those last minute covid complications that we’ve all had to deal with. We’re unable to travel here in a tent. We’re the lucky ones. Our thoughts and prayers go to so many who have suffered tremendously during this pandemic. This secretary, thank you for your leadership mentorship, humility, example of selfless service and for your fishing tips sir. I’m gonna try to uh up my game a little bit here in the next few weeks and months. Chairman, I appreciate you appreciate your advice. You’re offering humorous advice as well as the a political way you’ve led the Joint force on behalf of all of us. Thank you. Yeah, distinguished guests, friends, family team South com mentors And members of the last class from the Best Service Academy. But the last class to ever have a true plea beer. The Naval Academy class of 1983 and a few of them snuck in over here. Welcome. I would like to personally thank the volunteer South um advisory group, conclude members that are present here today. Your experience in context has really helped to command and it helped me to enable better decisions. So thank you. We’re blessed here in this region, particularly in Miami who many call the capital of Latin America at least are our family in brazil calls it little rio. I’m not sure about that but we are blessed here to have a patriotic community of family oriented community represented today by our hometown mayor Mayor JC Bermudez Mayor, thank you for being here and Commissioner Pepe Diaz right alongside him. Thank you both. I also really appreciate the support from the legislative branch. Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa combat veteran yourself are hometown congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Representative Steve Womack from Arkansas colonel. All of you have been great supporters of our south Korean team, our military and our families to get us the resources we need to defend this great nation. Thank you very much. Mhm To my amigos, Minister of Defense Security ministers, Chiefs of Defense commissioners, senior enlisted advisors and your spouses from this great shared neighborhood of ours neighborhood of promising freedom. The Western hemisphere, thank you for your friendship and trust gracias por su um assad a country Enza. Mhm. Mhm. I’ve come I’ve come to know all of you and I value the trusted partnerships and friendships were formed this neighborhood is our shared home and we must defend it together, proximity matters. We must continue to value that our people to people, connections are built to last. We must invest in this aspect of our relationship through more personal exchanges, more education and more exercises. We must be on the field together to compete and win our neighborhood of the Western hemisphere is the number one economic trading region for the United States with vital resources such as the global lifeblood, freshwater and lithium and renewable energy. We must recognize that strategic importance key to what makes this our shared neighborhood, our our values here is to democratic principles abiding by the rule of law and respect for personal freedoms and rights as professional security forces. We swear oaths to ensure we remain aligned to those values and I know we have worked tirelessly together to increase the professionalism are south Korean team and our partners. It’s the number one thing we must do. Professional forces win. We do the right thing. We earn our legitimacy by staying aligned to our constitutional oaths. Even in the face of intense challenges and existential threats. Professional forces embrace an ethical North Star that points towards human rights, rule of law, respect for differences, respect for women, peace and security and the key role of non commissioned officers. We build trust. Professional Fortnite have a relentless drive to be the best we call that combat readiness. And this is the ultimate element of integrated deterrence. Over the past three years, the democracies of our shared neighbors have been under assault from a vicious circle of threats. Cross cutting threats that include corruption, climate change, COVID-19 major hurricanes, earthquakes, volcanoes. Transnational criminal organizations and the corrosive and malign influence of the people’s republic of china. Under this assault threats when there was every reason to stray from that ethical North Star security forces, mi amigos represented by the leaders you see here today remained professional. We remain professional. Mhm. Mhm. Professional. A political combat ethical forces. That’s the foundation of winning and that’s what we have focused on building. So thank you which is gracias Obrigado, Merci beaucoup for your commitment to professionalism as ever. Inspired attendance today, Laura Jim, Welcome aboard. Congratulations. You are commanding a great team of professionals in a wonderful neighborhood. We appreciate your enthusiasm and family orientation during tono turnover and we know you’re excited and ready. Congratulations you are to our self com team. Military civilians, contractors, components, the big eight garrison and families Martha and I were humbled by your selfless service and sacrifice. We pledged you to serve you with our utmost energy and passion and we did. We left nothing on the field. We gave it our all thanks for all you do to defend our nation and build trust. I’ll miss walking around and hearing your stories. We will miss you. Thank you. Finally, I would like to recognize the most important part of my own professional and personal journey. My family Since July 6, 1979 when I swore an oath to support and defend the constitution of the United States of America. My family has stood with me, my dad, Henry and his wife JD watching from our future hometown at State College Pennsylvania Dad. You’ve always been there for me. Thanks for being my breast friend. Thanks for inspiring me and I love you Yeah. To my late mother Audrey she always had the Keenest interest in others. You’re going to get 1000 questions mom. I know you’re watching with pride. I love you. Yeah. Yeah. To my sister’s Jody and Lynn and brother Neil see you up on the screen. Thanks for being there and supporting me. I know I’m not always the best about calling and remembering events and dates but but you never stopped calling. You never stopped loving me. Thank you to Martha’s dad, Leanne Ellen and brothers and sisters who are watching today. Thanks for your support Leonel dad bobo. You came to United States from Brazil in 1947 and to me who represents the promise of our shared neighborhood where people can have hope and work hard to fulfill their dreams. Thanks and to mark this late mother Judy who was always cheering us on and so supportive of our service. Thank you Yeah. To our daughters, Jessica and Abby and your beautiful families. Thank you. I volunteered to serve your mom and I volunteer together when we swore an oath in our marriage valves. But military Children don’t get to volunteer. You’re born in this life of service. It was never easy but your courage and resilience made a difference and we’re proud of you. Thank you and we love you. Yeah. To my wife Martha. Everyone needs Martha. I have mine 37 years plus we swore an oath and we faithfully and lovingly carried that promise forward every day. Every step, every move. We constantly said this won’t last forever. But we will, we did. We will and I do. I love you. Yeah. My final point is this, it’s about love in the great book. The bible john 15 13 States Greater love has no one than this to lay down one’s life for one’s friends loves of great force multiplier. It’s the glue that builds trust and so ultimately why I serve in state love of country love of the constitution. United States of America. Love of our military family, love of our family. We are filled with gratitude and love. Thank you Muchas gracias obrigado, merci beaucoup. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Mhm Yeah, mm hmm. Mhm, mhm. Mhm Yeah, yeah. Ladies and gentlemen, the Commander, United States Southern Command General Laura j Richardson, United States Army. Yeah. Oh well good afternoon ladies and gentlemen Dama si caballero’s moy buenas tardes go to R. J Jonah prima di thank you so much for attending. Today’s very special ceremony here at United States Southern Command headquarters. Both Admiral Fowler and I appreciate the tremendous turnout today and I appreciate the strong relationships which are a testament to our great partnerships with our central American South American and Caribbean partner nations in our shared neighborhood. I would like to give a warm welcome to our distinguished visitors. Members of our United States Congress ambassadors, Ministers of Defense, Chiefs of Defense, their spouses. United States Chief of Staff of our Air Force comment on in the United States Coast Guard. Special guests, community guests from Doral and Miami Family, friends who have traveled from Texas and the South com team. It is really a special day and we are so honored to have you with us in person. Your presence here reinforces our shared commitment to a secure, free and prosperous Western hemisphere. I would like to thank President Biden Secretary Austin and General Milley for their trust and confidence in me for this very important position. I am following behind my fellow shipmate Admiral Faller who has been an incredible combatant Commander. Secretary Austin and Chairman Milley, thank you for the kind words Thank you for officiating, officiating today’s ceremony, your guidance and your invaluable words of wisdom. Craig Martha Thank you so much for the warm welcome to South com. You have been the best sponsors I could ever ask for. But more importantly, I would like I want to thank you for your 38 years of loyal and dedicated service to our nation. I wish you both the best of luck and retirement and enjoy the time you spend with your daughter’s grandkids, your father and most importantly fishing as all of us know our military families are our strength and foundation and I am here today because of my family and I want to thank my husband Jim, a lieutenant general in the army as well. We have been a dual military family for 3.5 decades. My daughter Lauren, who works at the U. S. Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D. C. And my granddaughter, my granddaughter, Ana, who’s four years old are also here today. Yeah, I want to thank all three of them for their support, encourage encouragement and patience over my 35 years in the army. Without that support, we would not have been able to sustain a dual military family and I am very grateful and I love you. Mhm. Also my parents are watching virtually from Colorado dr Jan and Sue Strickland as well as my sisters Elaine and Janice my brother Darwin and their families. Thank you for everything I love you guys. Yeah. To our south com team, I’m honored and excited to serve alongside you and lead this team in an era of great change. We’re seeing rapid events and technology that requires us to understand, decide and act faster in all five domains for potential conflict, land, sea air, space and cyberspace. We’re dealing with cross cutting threats that know no borders, pandemics, corruption, transnational criminal organizations, irregular migration and climate change. We’re now in an era of long term strategic competition and it’s a competition between democracy and authoritarianism. These challenges are unfolding right here in our shared neighborhood. I grew up in a small town called Northglenn Colorado where everyone knew respected and trusted each other. Our region is also a neighborhood where we respect trust and support each other. We have so many mutual bonds. Geographic, historical, cultural and economic and this is why we want to see each other succeed. The security of this region is inextricably linked to our own national security. Today. Many of our closest partners are still fighting bravely against COVID-19 and we are all too familiar with the devastation caused by this deadly pandemic and I empathize with those who have felt its horrific impacts. We will continue to fulfill our our enduring promise to be a trusted partner. We will keep supporting whole of government efforts To help our partner nations recover from COVID-19. We will focus on rebuilding regional resilience, expanding our security cooperation and multilateral exercises and increasing training and education. We will synchronize our efforts across all combatant commands to narrow the seams are competitors are trying to exploit. We will draw upon the strength in our neighborhood from partners who share our values of freedom, democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and gender equality. We must pick up the pieces left by the pandemic and transform our relationships To meet 21st century security challenges. But simply we’ve all got to be on the field together wearing the same Jersey South com. D. O. D. The interagency, our partner nations, the private sector and NGOs. If we do that, I have no doubt we will win but only if we work together who toss I look forward to continuing to serve the American people by leading this great team at U. S. Southern Command. Vamonos. Thank you. Muchas gracias obrigado merci. Yeah. Ladies and gentlemen please remain standing for the retirement of the colors. All right entirely. Color color color. Yeah. Four. Yeah. Mm. Work. Yeah. Ladies and gentlemen please remain standing for the playing of the armed forces medley. Mm Thank you. Mm hmm. Mm hmm. It’s yeah. Mhm. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mhm. Moment. Mhm. Mhm. Yeah. Mhm. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Mm. Yeah. Yeah. Mhm. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Mhm. Mhm. Mhm, mm hmm. Right. Yeah. Mhm. Yeah. Yeah. Mm. Yeah. Yeah. Mhm. Yeah. Mhm. Mhm. Yeah. Ladies and gentlemen please be seated. It is customary at Davey retirements to read the watch symbolic of the transition of duty from one sailor to another at this time Chief Carlton, Anthony, United States Navy oversight the watch for admiral falling For over 38 years. This failing stood the watch while some of us were in our bunks at night, this silent Stewart to watch while some of us were in school learning our trade. This failure stood the watch. Yes. Even before some of us were born into this world, this sailor stood to watch in those years when the storm clouds of war were seen brewing on the horizon of history. This feeling stood the watch many times he would cast an eye ashore to see his family, Martha Jessica and Abby standing there needing his guidance and help needing that hand to hold during hard times. But he still stood the watch. He stood to watch for over 38 years. He stood the watch so that we our families, our fellow countrymen because he’s silently and safety knowing a sailor had to watch. Today, we’re here to say. Shipmate the watch stands, relieved, relieved by those you lead, got it and train. Shipmate you stand relieved the men and women of the United States Southern Command have the watch right boys who Today’s side boy detail is comprised of members from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy Air Force and Coast Guard who represent the more than 2000 service members located throughout the United States Southern Command area of responsibility. The Bosnians wait for today’s ceremony is Mr. Steven Howard representing the United States Southern Command civilian workforce comprised of more than 600 personnel. Chief Anthony will present our national insulin to Admiral Faller. Ladies and gentlemen, you are about to witness the passing of our nation’s most cherished symbol of freedom, the stars and stripes on behalf of your many shipmates, including those who have made the supreme sacrifice. We wish to present you the sailors most honored and cherished possession, the United States national incident, the flag which you have so proudly served and so honorably defended, accept it. And remember that the young men and women that you have trained, guided and inspired will follow in your footsteps and defend it with equal pride in recognition of Admiral Father’s time at sea. The flag has been flown over the uss john c Stennis in recognition of Admiral Father’s time ashore. The flag has been flown over the United States Naval Academy where he started his military career and over the pentagon signifying his time and service to the Department of Defense And today over United States Southern Command headquarters and recognition of admiral followers, remarkable naval career and a tribute to his 38 years of honorable and dedicated service to our nation. Mhm. Ladies and gentlemen, please stand at this time. Admiral Father will request permission from the Secretary Defense to go ashore for the final time. In keeping with time honored naval tradition, we will be piping ashore. Admiral Faller and his family. Mhm. Okay. Admiral United States Navy retired and family departing me. 76. Yes, happened there. Mhm. It’s a while. My sky. My best if I never try. Two can see bye you. Mhm. There’s founded the Rebel watch this do you want? Mhm. Really? The Lord. That’s my character. You make it. Ladies and gentlemen, please remain standing for the departure of the official party. Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes today’s change of command ceremony. The men and women of the United States Southern Command. Thank you for attending