TOKYO — Two key Navy positions in Japan will soon be changing guard, the Navy announced Thursday.

Rear Adm. James D. Cloyd, commander of Task Force 70, will take over for Rear Adm. Richard Wren as commander of U.S. Naval Forces Japan, according to a Navy release.

Cloyd would be promoted to a two-star admiral prior to assuming command, the release said.

Rear Adm. John R. Haley, director of operations and plans for the chief of naval operations, is taking over Cloyd’s position as commander of Task Force 70.

Haley is no stranger to the Pacific. He was pulled from his staff assignment in Hawaii early to assume command of the USS George Washington after its previous commander was fired in 2008 following a fire onboard that caused more than $70 million in damage.

No date has been set for either change of command.

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