Hawaii-based Navy forces now have a new commander overseeing base operations in the islands.

Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett relinquished command of U.S. Navy Region Hawaii on Tuesday at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in a ceremony that for its backdrop had the USS Missouri, the USS Arizona Memorial and the visiting aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson.

“We have had our share of challenges over the last three-plus years, but we have also had opportunities to make things better and move forward together,” Barnett said. “The importance of community, collaboration and relationships has never been more vital.”

Barnett assumed his command in Hawaii in June 2022. It was a time when the Navy was desperate to repair its image in Hawaii in the aftermath of the 2021 Red Hill spill that contaminated the Nav

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