PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- Adm. Timothy Keating handed over leadership of the United States Pacific Command on Monday to Adm. Robert Willard.

The Hawaii-based command oversees all U.S. military operations from California to Pakistan.

Keating stepped down as commander in chief of the U.S. PACOM after more than two years at the post.

Among the many dignitaries at the ceremony was Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.

"Leading a military organization in this part of the world requires a deft touch: a diplomats sensibilities, a scholars depth of the past, a commercial tycoon's business sense. Tim Keating has provided all of that and more," Gates said.

Keating was awarded the defense distinguished service medal for his work and quoted Thomas Jefferson and Jimmy Buffet in his farewell speech.

"'Kids can play on the shore each day, and all are safe within.' It is to that goal that we pledge our lives and our fortunes and our sacred honor," Keating said. " It's been a grand adventure. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Then came the official change of command.

Willard has commanded the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor since 2007.

In his first speech as the Pacific Command's new leader, Willard said he marveled how much this part of the world has changed in the last 30 years.

"Yet constant in that time is the recognition of the vast and growing importance of Asia to the rest of the world, in both an economic engine in its own right and as a major thoroughfare for U.S. and world commerce. Our nation's interest is here," Willard said.

Willard also said that he looks forward to serving the more than 300,000 men and women now under his command.