Obama to elevate status of Army in Pacific

The Obama administration is moving to elevate the status of the general who leads soldiers in the Pacific to four stars.

The Obama administration is moving to elevate the status of the general who leads soldiers in the Pacific to four stars.

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US Army Pacific has been led by a three-star general for years.

The Pentagon said Monday that President Barack Obama is nominating Third Army commander Lt. Gen. Vincent Brooks to become the new Army Pacific commander and for a promotion to four stars.

Putting a four-star general in charge of U.S. soldiers in the Pacific would put the Army on par with the Navy and Air Force in the region. Both services are led by four-star commanders in the Pacific.

Brooks currently leads soldiers in the US Central Command area.

Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, the current US Army Pacific commander, plans to retire after 34 years of service.