Category: Defence Intelligence

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

DAGMAR NORTH TRAINING AREA, South Korea  –  

Early on the morning of February 6, 2025, the Marines of III Marine Expeditionary Force Support Battalion, III MEF Information Group joined Soldiers from 63rd Clearance Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division at the frozen grounds of Dagmar North Training Area, South Korea to conduct a joint training event.

This joint training event took place during III MSB’s preparation for their Marine Corps Combat Readiness Evaluation, which is scheduled to take place this week. The MCCRE is designed to test Marines and Sailors within the unit on how well they can perform their mission essential skills, and the preparation for it has spurred III MSB leaders to continuously seek and initiate opportunities to maximize the success of the MCCRE. Sgt. Wyatt Miller, platoon sergeant of III MSB’s engineer platoon, contacted the Army’s engineer unit to request heavy equipment operations at Dagmar North prior to the evaluation.

“There will be times where there’s interservice training, interservice operations or interservice communication, where something’s got to get done and it can only get done with help from both sides,” explained Sgt. Miller.

Miller noted that this was his first experience engaging in joint training during his time at III MSB, and that it certainly reinforced the idea that continuous training in a joint environment fosters better teamwork. “I think that’s a very valuable experience from both sides,” Miller added.

In the days leading up to the event, internal coordination and reconnaissance of the designated site for the event would help to set the stage and establish lateral limits for both units involved. Marines and Soldiers could be seen shoulder-to-shoulder in the freezing cold, planning and crafting a training event to fulfill both unit’s missions while increasing their interoperability.

Soldiers from 4th platoon were tasked with creating berms as fixed fighting positions for the Marines. At the same time, the Marines were tasked with supporting the Soldiers by providing security in the area and conducting patrol maneuvers, a form of training that provided insight on how to better prepare for their upcoming MCCRE. Following a convoy insert that preceded the dawn, the servicemembers began to set in and take their positions.

“This is exactly what we are here to do,” stated 2nd Lt. Melissa Wences, 4th Platoon leader of the Army engineers, emphasizing the value of the training event. “Getting my platoon of horizontal construction engineers out here and guiding them onto the construction of fighting positions in different terrain and difficult weather conditions is a reality check of where they are and what it’s going to be like for future exercises.”

As a support asset to the unit, the company’s primary focus is to dig vehicle positions and individual fighting positions to strengthen security around the area of operation. In light of the unit’s upcoming schedule, Wences saw this as an ideal opportunity to further her Soldiers’ training.

“This will lead into our battalion’s field training exercise next month,” said Wences. “Most of the Soldiers currently in the platoon are new to the Korean Peninsula, and it’s necessary for them to be familiarized with overcoming the challenges of a different terrain.”

The intent of this training was for the Marines of III MSB to establish a dynamic security posture, effecting a protective perimeter around a site designated for the Army’s excavation operations. The soldiers would operate and guide heavy construction equipment for vertical and horizontal engineer operations. Joint training events such as this one serve to hone the interoperability and integration capabilities of the joint force.

III MSB provides and coordinates direct combat service support, security, and administrative services to III MEF, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and III MEF Information Group Command Elements to enable III MEF to win in competition and conflict.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash.  –  

Airmen from the 7th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron launched operations in support of Bamboo Eagle 25-1, Feb. 5, 2025. The exercise demonstrates the critical role of rapid global mobility in the deployment and sustainment of Joint Force and international partner operations.

Bamboo Eagle 25-1 is a large-scale exercise testing participants’ capabilities to deploy quickly, establish operations, and maneuver the Joint Force and international partners in contested environments. Units across Air Mobility Command are participating alongside Air Combat Command to enhance interoperability, readiness, and global response capabilities.

The 7th EAS contributes to the exercise by employing C-17 Globemaster III aircraft to deliver personnel, equipment, and supplies to forward-deployed locations. The squadron’s mission highlights the strategic role of airlift in enabling theater mobility at the speed of relevance.

“The 7th EAS is building a team that can walk into the hardest places in the world, together, and solve problems that no one else can solve,” said Lt. Col. Matthew Weinberg, 7th EAS commander. “Bamboo Eagle 25-1 is the third of three exercises that we programmed to develop our Mission Generation Force Element across Air Force specialty codes, total force integrations, and joint lines. It also serves as the certification for the 7th EAS.”

The exercise underscores the importance of mobility air forces in ensuring regional stability and security. AMC units participating in Bamboo Eagle 25-1 include the 7th Airlift Squadron from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington; the 41st AS from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas; and the 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, among others.

“Bamboo Eagle 25-1 reinforces the ability of our Airmen to generate combat power when and where it’s needed most,” said Col. Sergio Anaya, 62d Airlift Wing commander. “The 7th EAS plays a pivotal role in showcasing how we ensure mobility dominance in the Indo-Pacific theater.”

Bamboo Eagle 25-1 is part of a series of exercises designed to refine operational concepts and maintain a combat-ready force. Through realistic training scenarios, mobility Airmen remain prepared to project power, deter aggression, and support global operations alongside allied and partner nations.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  –  

A joint force of 89 Republic of Korea and U.S. senior Noncommissioned Officers came together from across the Korean Peninsula to attend the 2025 iteration of Backbone University, February 3-7, on Camp Humphreys.

Backbone University is a one-week developmental course focused on providing NCOs of the E-7 pay-grade with an understanding of the joint operations environment while instilling valuable lessons on leadership that they can take with them to improve their organizations and the military as whole.

“This week was impressive. The strength of the Alliance and the future of our services and countries were in safe and capable hands with these outstanding senior NCOs and chief petty officers leading in our formations,” said Sgt. Maj. Joseph Gaskin, Operations Sergeant Major of United States Forces Korea and Backbone University Director. “For the first time, participants worked together on capstone projects which focused on learning from examples of Republic of Korea and U.S. Medal of Honor recipients from the Korean War. To see all these senior noncommissioned officers and chief petty officers from the joint and combined multinational force come together this week, overcome language barriers, work together in a mission command centric environment, intent based leadership, solve problems, face a very restrictive timeline, it was very inspiring to me.”

The curriculum allowed participants to engage with senior leaders such as Gen. Xavier T. Brunson, Maj. Gen. William H. Taylor, and Command Sgt. Maj. Jack H. Love, who were more than keen to share their insights and experiences with leadership, an NCOs purpose and function in a senior commander’s staff, and core lessons they learned along their journey.

“Some of the things that really stuck with me were the 15 Secrets of Leadership from Command Sgt. Maj. Love. I’m going to take those lessons back and give it to my junior leaders and senior leaders so we can get moving on the right direction,” said Sgt. 1st. Class Daltyn Phelps, battery operations NCO, 210th Field Artillery Brigade.

“One of the 15 secrets to leadership was inspect what you expect, and that really struck a chord with me coming from the airborne community. A lot of things get overlooked, like hands in pockets, things not being buttoned down or not having the right tools on you. That really struck me because I feel like that’s one thing that we can improve on as senior NCOs.”

Participants started and ended each training day with teambuilding focused events such as: PT sessions led by Marine Forces Korea, Special Operations Command Korea, and Combined Forces Command; dodgeball tournaments and traditional Korean field day events such as three legged races; and the ‘Culminator’, which saw platoons fight through a six-mile-long slog of ice and snow all the while tackling obstacles, and carrying supplies such as water cans and simulated casualties.

“Being in this training is beneficial for me personally, because I have never really worked with different branches before,” said Chief Petty Officer Voss, logistics specialist, Command Navy Forces Korea. “I’m grateful for this opportunity to work with Army, Marines, Air Force, and also ROK forces, because we have exercises where we have to brainstorm and learn about how the other branches approach problems, and we come up with different solutions that we wouldn’t normally think of, and as a group we produce better products.”

“We had many branches from Korea, the U.S., and even New Zealand working together,” said Master Sgt. Joo-Won Hong, Republic of Korea Air Force, 19th Fighter Wing. “There were a lot of opportunities for me to integrate with our Alliance partners and learn different ways to tackle the challenges.”

Ultimately, Backbone University is about building strong, joint teams, reaffirming the strength of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, and preparing a stronger NCO Corps capable of dominating the battlefield.

“You know, as you watch these NCOs come together, overcome all the barriers of communication, and draw upon lessons from the past to drive us into the future, the way they engage with the senior mentors who came to visit each day, the tough questions that they proposed, all of them really inspired me,” said Gaskin. “This easily fits the purpose of our core of NCOs and chief petty officers; we’re fighting and war winning. The grit these NCOs displayed this week tells me that our Alliance is strong, and our future is solid. We’re in capable hands with each one of these people who are leading our formations.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Camp Humphreys, South Korea  –  

The Republic of Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Forces Korea, and other partners hosted the “Opening Gambit” training exercise (TTX) at Camp Humphreys in Pyeongtaek, South Korea, from February 3-7, 2025.

The TTX, was facilitated by the Center for Naval Analysis, enables the discussion of bilateral crisis management to ensure the ROK-U.S. Alliance is postured and prepared to respond in pre-crisis circumstances.

Combined training such as this demonstrates our commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and is the foundation of maintaining a combined robust defense posture to protect the ROK-U.S. Alliance against any threat or adversary.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

NAVAL AIR FACILITY ATSUGI, Japan  –  

Approximately 60 members from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force and U.S. Air Force conducted a C-17 Globemaster III static loading test at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan Feb. 3-4.

The training event was a part of Keen Sword 25, a bilateral training exercise that took place in the vicinity of Japan from Oct. 23, 2024, through Nov. 1, 2024.

Keen Sword demonstrates and advances interoperability, validates force posture, and reinforces solidarity of the U.S.-Japan alliance by exercising the most modern
equipment and procedures under realistic conditions.

“AC-17 loading test was postponed during KS 25,” said Jake Carrico, U.S. Forces, Japan transportation planning specialist. “Japan Self-Defense Forces requested the training event be rescheduled for February 2025 to meet this training exercise objective.”

The training included a joint inspection, load planning, and a C-17 static loading test with Japan Self-Defense Forces members from the 1st Helicopter Brigade, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Air Defense Missile Group. Also, USAF members from 730th Air Mobility Squadron and 374th Logistics Readiness Squadron, Yokota Air Base, and 535th Airlift Squadron, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

“This is important bilateral training event provides JGSDF and JASDF members to practice contingency-loading of their equipment on a USAF C-17,” said Carrico.

During the two-day training event, JGSDF members conducted their CH-47JA Chinook helicopter loading onto a USAF C-17. Also, JASDF members loaded their Antenna Mast Group vehicle and MIM-104 Patriot missile system, including USAF loading members conducted joint inspections and load planning according to the Air Transportation Test Loading Activity (ATTLA).

“The ATTLA provides instructions on how to prepare and transport equipment, including foreign nations, on USAF aircraft.” said Staff Sgt. Eric Shaah, 730th Air Mobility Squadron air transportation specialist. “We inspected cargo for airworthiness to include hazardous materials check, cargo build up, and proper vehicle transport configurations.”

The two-day exercise offered the opportunity to liaise with the JSDF in a show of bilateral interoperability and to use the safest and most efficient methods to upload and download their assets using U.S. airlift.

“In total 143,000 pounds of rolling stock were prepared, loaded, and unloaded from a C-17.” said Shaah.

According to a senior JASDF official, using the C-17 cargo aircraft enables a strategic capability to reconfigure large assets like the CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter for airlift around the country.

“Exercising the capability to support and collaborate with our partner nations strengthens our ability to project combat power anywhere on the globe,” said Shaah, “During these two days, we were able to demonstrate the joint inspection requirements to the JASDF and JGSDF so that they have familiarization with the mathematical computations and loading process in the event that they need to deploy their equipment and personnel via mobility airlift.”

This training provides an enhanced mutual understanding of aircraft loading procedures and strengthens cooperation between USAF and the JSDF to respond to humanitarian crisis or contingency. The U.S.-Japan alliance has served as the foundation for regional peace and security for nearly 75 years and remains indispensable to our mutual security interests in the Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

HONOLULU, Hawaii  –  

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, front center, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joins Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, front second from left, Chief of Staff of the Japan Joint Staff, for a group photo during the Joint Senior Leaders Seminar at USINDOPACOM headquarters on Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii, Feb. 11, 2025. The JSLS aims to continue strengthening bilateral commitments between the two nations and throughout the region. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Angel Heraldez)