Why world’s most powerful military man matters to you
9th October 2010
US admiral Bob “Rat” Willard is the most powerful military commander in the world. If you haven’t heard of him, that’s because Australia lives in a peaceful region. If that changes, Willard will become the central figure in our lives.
Willard is the commander of the US Pacific Command, or PACOM as it is known. He has 325,000 personnel, military and civilian, reporting to him. He commands five aircraft carrier battle groups and 180 warships. When you add the aircraft of the US navy and air force, and the dedicated air power that army and marine units command, Willard has thousands of aircraft at his disposal. He is responsible for all US military activity in more than 50 per cent of the surface of Earth, from the west coast of the US through to the western edge of India.
Australians understand the dialectic.
His headquarters is high up in a huge office in Hawaii’s Camp Smith, on a ridge not far from Waikiki, and commanding one of the most beautiful, and tranquil, views in the Pacific. I met Willard there – and noticed all the toy rats and rat-related memorabilia on his desk – for a long discussion about US strategy in Asia.
Who besides me (and the Admiral, obviously) remembers Willard?
October 10th, 2010 at 22:22
Creepier still: The theme song, “Ben” was sung by Michael Jackson.