By Pacific Island Times News Staff
The Department of Defense today announced the appointment of Rear Adm. Michael B.
DeVore as a senior military official for Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau representing the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
DeVore is currently serving as chief of staff, Naval Surface Forces/Naval Surface Force U.S. Pacific Fleet in San Diego, California.
He will be the new commander of the Joint Region Marianas, succeeding Rear Adm. Gregory Huffman who has been promoted as commander of the newly formed Joint Task Force Micronesia.
Catherine Cruz Norton, JRM deputy public affairs officer, confirmed that DeVore will assume Huffman's duties and responsibilities at JRM.
He will officially assume the post in June.
DeVore received his commission and a B.S. in Chemistry Education from Purdue University in 1995. He received masters from Georgetown University in 2002 and the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in 2006.
At-sea assignments include Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer in USS Taylor (FFG 50), fire control officer in USS Carney (DDG 64), operations officer in USS Mahan (DDG 72), commanding officer of Patrol Coastal Crew Foxtrot while embarked in USS Typhoon (PC 5) and USS Hurricane (PC 3), and executive officer and commanding officer in USS Stethem (DDG 63).
Meanwhile, Huffman was promoted to the rank of Rear Adm. (upper half)
during a ceremony administered by Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S.
Pacific Fleet on Wed., April 3 at the PACFLT Headquarters on Joint Base
Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
"It is an honor and privilege to continue to serve this great nation and our Pacific islands," said Huffman. "This is an exciting time for Guam and
Micronesia, and I am looking forward to continuing to advance the very important mission of supporting the warfighter and defending the homeland."
As part of his promotion, the two-star Admiral will assume a new role to lead the
activation of Joint Task Force Micronesia. Rear. Adm. Huffman will be designated
the Senior Military Official for the Joint Operations Area, which includes Guam, the CNMI, the FSM and Palau.
"The Indo-Pacific region is a dynamic area of operation and vital to our security
and prosperity. I remain committed to building on the progress we've achieved through our partnerships with federal, state and local governments throughout this region," Huffman said.
Joint Task Force Micronesia will be responsible for the homeland defense of
Guam, the CNMI, FSM and Palau to include defense support to civil authorities, and will provide foreign humanitarian assistance throughout the compact states in times of crisis.
