Adm. William J. Fallon, head of the U.S. Pacific Command based here on O'ahu, is known for innovation and strategic thinking.

Those skills will be crucial assets if his next assignment goes through.

President Bush has tapped Fallon to be the first admiral to head the U.S. Central Command and to lead the joint ground war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Congress should approve the nomination.

Fallon surely has the skills and aptitude to take over for the current head of CentCom.

In charge of the overall military effort for the Pacific since February 2005, Fallon has distinguished himself as a hawk on the global war on terror and on the use of joint and combined war fighting. He's also worked to improve military-to-military relations with a key adversary, China. He's made it a priority to reach out to other Asian countries, such as India, to develop their own abilities to deal with internal security issues.

Such diplomacy makes Fallon an ideal choice, particularly as the president searches for a new strategy on the war. If put on the job, Fallon must be given the authority to make the course corrections needed to achieve an honorable ending to the current situation.

Fallon's departure would be a great loss to our state. He and his wife, Mary, have provided great leadership during their tenure here.

We hope that his replacement will be someone who is familiar with the Pacific, and can bring continuity to the missions that Fallon has continued from his predecessor, retired Adm. Tom Fargo.