Published：Jun 17, 03:45Last updated：Jun 17, 17:27

US Reverts Indo-Pacific Command to Original Name

Jun. 17, 2026 03:45

The US Department of Defense announced on June 16 that the US Indo-Pacific Command will officially revert to its original name, the US Pacific Command. The command's area of responsibility remains unchanged, extending from the waters off the US West Coast to the western border of India. Established on January 1, 1947, the command operated as the Pacific Command for over 70 years before being renamed in 2018.

Summarized

8News

7Media

Jun. 17, 2026 17:10

Former President Trump reinstated the name 'Pacific Command' for the US military's Indo-Pacific operations. The change was reported on June 17, 2026, amid ongoing military exercises in Thailand. The move has sparked questions about US strategic priorities in the region.

Jun. 17, 2026 17:27

The U.S. Defense Department renamed U.S. Indo-Pacific Command back to U.S. Pacific Command (USPACOM) in June 2026. The change honors the command's historical roots and regional legacy. The area of responsibility remains unchanged, covering waters from the U.S. West Coast to India. The command played key roles in post-WWII security and conflicts like the Korean War. The reversal comes eight years after the original name change to reflect strategic shifts.

The US Department of Defense has officially reverted the Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) back to its original name, Pacific Command (PACOM), marking a symbolic return to its 70-year historical identity. The change, announced on June 17, 2026, maintains the command's operational scope spanning from the US West Coast to India's western border, with headquarters remaining in Honolulu, Hawaii. This reversal comes eight years after the 2018 renaming that sought to emphasize strategic connectivity across the Indo-Pacific region. Huanqiu+2

🏛️ Historical Context

Established on January 1, 1947, PACOM is the oldest and largest US combatant command, playing pivotal roles in post-WWII security, the Korean War, and Vietnam War. The 2018 rebranding to INDOPACOM under the Trump administration aimed to reflect growing strategic ties with India and counter China's influence. The reversion now honors its legacy while keeping all operational parameters unchanged. Chosun Ilbo+2

🌏 Regional Implications

The command oversees military operations across approximately 30 countries, including key allies like Japan and South Korea, plus territories such as Guam and Alaska. While the name change doesn't alter its area of responsibility, it has drawn mixed reactions from India, which was geographically included in the 2018 rebranding. Analysts speculate whether this signals a shift in US strategic priorities away from countering China. Chosun Ilbo+2

⚖️ Political Reactions

Former President Trump, who initiated the original 2018 name change, supported the reversion, calling it a "return to proven traditions." The timing coincides with strained US-India relations and ongoing military exercises in Thailand. Defense officials emphasize that the move doesn't affect commitments to a "free and open Indo-Pacific," despite the nomenclature adjustment. Chosun Ilbo+2

JapanHonoluluSouth KoreaUS Pacific CommandIndo-Pacific Command