Defense Secretary James Mattis presides over Southcom change of command

DORAL, Fla. – Defense Secretary James Mattis said the U.S. military brings stability to most of Latin America through its operations at the South Florida-based Southern Command headquarters.

Mattis spoke Monday at a ceremony appointing Navy Adm. Craig Faller as new leader of the command that oversees U.S. military operations in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is also responsible for security of the Panama Canal and the naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Also taking part in Monday's event is Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Faller is taking over for Navy Adm. Kurt Tidd.

According to his Navy biography, Faller currently serves as senior military assistant to Mattis. He has previously led combat forces in support of U.S. operations in the Persian Gulf, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Faller is a native of Fryburg, Pennsylvania.