The U.S. military today will get a new commander for the Asia-Pacific region.

Adm. Robert F. Willard will assume control of the U.S. Pacific Command at a ceremony today, succeeding Adm. Timothy Keating, who is retiring.

Willard has spent the last two years leading the U.S. Pacific Fleet out of Pearl Harbor. He has also served as the commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet from Japan.

During the 1980s, Willard was the operations and executive officer of the Navy Fighter Weapons School featured in the Hollywood movie "Top Gun."

The Pacific Command covers an area stretching from Hawai'i and Alaska to India. As its commander, Willard will oversee about 325,000 military and civilian personnel.