Adm. William J. Fallon Thursday gave what is likely to be a final farewell to the state Legislature, acknowledging the "tragic" activities he'll have to face in the Middle East, but saying he would like to retire in Hawai'i.

"I have no doubt that the tasks in front of us are immense," Fallon, 62, told the state Senate. "I have, I think, a good understanding of the consequences in many directions and the actions that await us in the future."

Fallon, the head of U.S. Pacific Command at Camp Smith for just under two years, is awaiting U.S. Senate confirmation as the new head of U.S. Central Command, a job that will put him in charge of the unpopular Iraq war and fragile progress made in Afghanistan since 2001.

Fallon and his wife, Mary, were recognized by both state houses in separate sessions at the Capitol, receiving a standing ovation in each.

"We don't know how fast we may have to leave," Fallon said. The four-star admiral said he received a phone call from Washington, D.C., Thursday morning saying the Pentagon hoped the transition could be accomplished "in an orderly manner."

He said that the nation and President Bush have asked for "a new approach, different leadership" in Iraq, "and I'm going to, in Navy parlance, answer the bell."

The president wants to send an additional 21,500 U.S. troops to Iraq to try to stabilize Baghdad. Fallon told the Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday that he believed the situation in Iraq can be turned around, "but time is short."

Fallon did not take questions from the Hawai'i news media, as the recognition by the state Senate and House and a visit with Gov. Linda Lingle came in rapid succession. Aides said Fallon also was holding off comment pending Senate confirmation.

Fallon returned from Washington, D.C., three days ago after testifying at the Senate confirmation hearing.

Fallon would be the first admiral to be in charge of Tampa, Fla.-based U.S. Central Command in its 24-year history. Experts have said his selection signals an emphasis on a wider role for the command as concerns increase with Iran. Two aircraft carrier strike groups are being sent to the Persian Gulf.

The Vietnam War veteran and naval aviator's sea-service background continued to flavor his comments, including his thoughts on retiring with his wife in Hawai'i.

"Sometime soon, we expect to take our leave, but we certainly look forward to coming back very soon and very often," he said. "I have an anchor somewhere in my back pocket that I will be able to reach for hopefully one day soon and throw it down, and we'd be delighted to be able to do that here."

Fallon said he and his wife had hoped to be in Hawai'i another year, and that he has mixed emotions about leaving.

State Sen. Fred Hemmings, R-Lanikai-Waimanalo, said he hoped the admiral would use the diplomatic skills he showed deepening relations with other militaries in the Pacific when he assumes his new position in the Middle East.

"Adm. Fallon is launching into a daunting storm," Hemmings said. "In one hand he has the might of the nation. But what makes this man great is the other hand — he has the wreath of peace and diplomacy."

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.