President Obama signed off on an update to Unified Command Plan 2011 that, among its modifications, reflects the disestablishment of US Joint Forces Command that occurred in August, announced Defense Department officials Wednesday. The Pentagon in April issued UCP 2011, the newest version of the strategic document that defines the missions and responsibilities of the US military’s combatant commands. Obama on Monday approved “Change 1” to that plan. Change 1 also removes responsibilities for information operations, military deception, and operations security from US Strategic Command. The Joint Staff will assume them. Meanwhile, STRATCOM gains the Joint Warfare Analysis Center, previously a subordinate command to JFCOM. And, US Transportation Command adds responsibility for global standing joint force headquarters held under the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command, another asset formerly under JFCOM.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3