Navy Admiral assumes JPAC command

  • Published
  • By Army Staff Sgt. Matthew Chlosta
  • JPAC Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  Navy Rear Adm. Donna L. Crisp assumed command of the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command from Army Brig. Gen. Michael C. Flowers Jan. 4.

The ceremony was officiated by Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating, commander of U.S. Pacific Command.

Crisp, a graduate of California State University at Long Beach, was commissioned in 1974. She is the former Director for Manpower and Personnel for the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C.

"JPAC has a unique and critical mission of accounting for the men and women of our Armed Forces that preserved our freedom and protected the security of others," Crisp said during the ceremony.

"Those, whose fate has never been resolved, have been in the minds and hearts of their families, fellow Americans and the members of JPAC."

This assignment to Hawaii is the fourth for Crisp during her more than 30 years of service. She was most recently stationed on Oahu with Pacific Fleet between 2002 and 2004.

"America will not forget those who sacrificed so much," Crisp said. "We also remember the concerns of our families who have maintained a steadfast vigil and continue to search for answers and the peace that comes with certainty."

Flowers is the second commander in JPAC's history. During his two-year assignment, JPAC conducted over 150 recovery missions and identified over 200 missing service members, to include the first-ever World War I identification and the first identification using nuclear DNA.

The ceremony marked the end of a 30-year career for Flowers, who received his commission in 1977 as an aviation officer through the University of Kansas ROTC. During his service, Flowers served in combat during Operations Urgent Fury, Desert Storm and Desert Shield. He also took part in peace-keeping operations in Haiti and Kosovo.

"Thank you, JPAC. Until they're home," Flowers said in his final remarks, ending with the JPAC motto.

Crisp takes command as JPAC teams prepare for the first deployments of 2008. Teams will depart over the next two weeks to Cambodia, Laos, and Palau.