US Admiral Visits RBAF Commandef
By Lyna Mohamad

Bandar Seri Begawan - Visiting Commander of the United States Pacific Command (US PACOM), Admiral Timothy J Keating, yesterday paid a courtesy call on the Commander of Royal Brunei Armed Forces, Pehin Data Lailaraja Major General Dato Paduka Seri Awg Hj Halbi Hj Md Yussof.

Prior to the courtesy call that took place at the Ministry of Defence, Bolkiah Garrison, Admiral Keating was presented with the General Salute Ceremony by the Guard of Honour mounted by personnel of the Royal Brunei land Forces (RBLF). He then proceeded to the reception room for the courtesy call.

The Admiral along with his wife, Mrs Wandalee Keating, and 12 delegates arrived in the Sultanate last Tuesday for a two-day official visit - the Admiral's introductory visit since he assumed command of the US PACOM on March 27, 2007.

He graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1971, followed by duty aboard USS Mason (DD 852) in the Western Pacific. He completed flight training in August 1973 and was ordered to Attack Squadron 82 (VA-82), deploying twice to the Mediterranean aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68).

Amongst his previous posts were postings to Attack Squadron 122 (VA-122), NAS Lemoore, California and subsequently serving with Commander, Carrier Air Wing 15 as Staff Landing Signal Officer, deploying to the Western Pacific/Indian Ocean aboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63).

Following his many postings at various posts, he reported as deputy commander, Carrier Air Wing 17 in January 1991, participating in combat operations in support of Operation Desert Storm from USS Saratoga (CV60).

He next served as a Chief Naval Operations Fellow with the Strategic Studies Group in Newport and following a duty with the Joint Task Force Southwest Asia in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, deployed as Deputy Commander Carrier Air Wing 9 aboard CVN 68 to the Arabian Gulf, and later in July 1993 assumed command of Carrier Air Wing Nine (CVW-9).

In November 1994, Admiral Keating reported to NAS Fallon as Commander, Naval Strike Warfare Center, and then returned to the Naval military Personnel Command in September 1995 as Director Aviation Officer, Distribution Division.

After serving in this post, he was then posted to several more postings before his last posting, assuming Command of North American Aerospace Defence Command and US Northern command on November 5, 2004 before assuming his current post of Commander of US PACOM.

Admiral Keating's awards include the Defence Distinguished Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, Distinguished Service Medal with Gold Star, Legion of Merit with three Gold Stars, Defence Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Gold Star, three Air Medals, Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars and Combat "V" and various unit and campaign awards. He has over 5,000 flight hours and 1,200 "arrested landings". -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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