Gen. Gary North assumes command of Pacific Air Forces based in Hawaii

Gen. Gary North takes over Pacific Air forces

HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii — Gen. Gary North is taking command of the United States Pacific Air Forces based at Hickham Air Force Base in Hawaii.

North assumed control Wednesday after 3 1/2 years of leading air campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan.

He takes over for Gen. Howie Chandler, who relinquished command to become vice chief of staff of the Air Force at the Pentagon. Chandler had commanded Pacific Air Forces since November 2007.

North became a four-star general in a ceremony before the change of command.

Military leaders praised North for his experience in charge of air bases in Japan and Korea.

North was also the director of operations for U.S. Pacific Command at Camp Smith, Hawaii, and deputy director of politco-military affairs for the Asia-Pacific region in the Pentagon.