Category: Defence

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MONTEREY, Calif.  –  

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), visited the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) to hear updates from students, faculty, and leadership on priority research efforts, and address the command in the latest Secretary of the Navy Guest Lecture (SGL), on the security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region, and highlighted the critical role NPS plays in developing military leaders and warfighting solutions, Dec. 10.

An NPS graduate, Paparo’s day began with updates on relevant research efforts from faculty and students in briefings and poster sessions addressing the unique needs of the Indo-Pacific region, including logistics and force design.

“This was a great opportunity to discuss real-world applications touching both defense management and operations research that will have immediate and lasting impact for INDOPACOM,” said Harrison Schramm, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Defense Management who is leading a project addressing joint force sustainment.  “We are leveraging the intersection of student operational experience, practitioners, and industry to assist with scaled implementation.”

Prior to his guest lecture, Paparo engaged with students at a research poster session. Included were U.S. Navy Lt. Jordan Whittle and U.S. Navy Lt. Adam Summers, who both graduate this December. They presented their capstone/thesis work titled “Unmanned Flotillas: A Cost- Effectiveness Analysis for Sea Denial Operations,” which won the Surface Navy Association award for academic excellence.

“Our classified thesis gave us a chance to apply what we learned to real-world operational needs,” said Whittle. “The opportunity to share our solution directly with Admiral Paparo was something Adam and I did not expect, but it went very well.”  

“For both of us that was out first time briefing a four-star Admiral,” Summers added. “When we shared the nature and sponsor of our research, he asked us to send him our completed thesis. He is in receipt of our work.” 

Following the poster session was the SGL with more than 1,300 students, faculty, and staff in attendance to hear from Paparo, who leads all U.S. military operations across the vast Indo-Pacific covering 36 nations, 14 time zones, and 60 percent of the world’s population. 

During the guest lecture, he stressed the importance of the region where nearly a third of global trade passes through the South China Sea. With seventy percent of U.S. Joint Forces under his command, Paparo expressed the magnitude of the challenge emphasizing technological superiority to counter threats from regional adversaries and conveyed a sense of urgency to the NPS community assembled.

Paparo also emphasized the transformative role of technology in modern conflict. He explained that future wars will be won by those who can “see, understand, decide, and act faster,” underscoring the necessity of integrating artificial intelligence (AI), electronic warfare, and space operations into military strategies, and “finding ways to combine AI tools and human decision making that deliver a decision advantage.”

“The information age will not replace the industrial age, it will accelerate it,” he said, underlining the critical importance of combining knowledge tools with precision effects in order to maintain a strategic edge. 

He also highlighted the vital role that institutions like NPS play in preparing future leaders to navigate this rapidly changing landscape. He recognized the school’s proximity to Silicon Valley, praised its pioneering history, and its continued focus on technical research, noting these as key assets for advancing defense innovation.

“We must have elite institutions that are focused on defense problems, and this is why the Naval Postgraduate School was started in the first place,” said Paparo. “I can clearly see the importance of NPS today. First, its students have a unique understanding of warfare, second is its geography in such close proximity to the hub of innovation for the world, and third you are in the Pacific – where I need you most.” 

Paparo urged students and faculty to continue driving innovation and discussed how collaboration with the private sector can accelerate technological advancements.

“NPS is one of the elite schools of this country,” Paparo noted. “America needs elite, highly technical institutions that are executing research and development at the zenith of science to address our unique defense problems.”

Following the lecture, students asked their own questions on the daily challenges he faces in INDOPACOM as well as in the DOD. 

In response to a question on why the U.S. private sector has outpaced DOD in technological innovation, Paparo emphasized the importance of partnerships between the military and industry, noting NPS’ comparative advantages and collaborations with tech leaders that will be crucial in closing this gap.

He was also asked about the significance of unmanned systems in modern warfare, citing their expendability and innovative potential. Paparo made the point that autonomous, unmanned, weaponized drones have been a feature of the U.S. arsenal for decades, citing the Tomahawk cruise missile from 1980’s, and noted the difference today is low cost and diffusion of the technology.

“The value in drones is their lack of value,” Paparo said. “I don’t want to send a human being to do something that an unmanned aerial vehicle can do. But the weak link in drone warfare today is the network that it’s acting on. Every night they learn this in Ukraine. Every night they’re putting drones out, and every night they’re switching up their network. I believe electronic warfare is the next level of overmatch, and I favor AI for use in this way.”

Concluding his remarks, Paparo gave a sobering reflection on potential impact of modern conflict in the Indo-Pacific, stressing that deterrence remains America’s highest duty. He reaffirmed the importance of strength, readiness, and alliances in securing peace.

Paparo’s visit underscored the essential role of defense education and research at institutions like NPS to develop tech-savvy, decisive military leaders, while driving relevant innovation with industry partners to meet the complex security challenges of the 21st century.

“This institution [NPS] is important to the Navy, the United States of America and the world. I saw some great capstone thesis projects today, and it just made me beam with pride about the level of thinking that’s going on here. So, I’m proud to be your teammate.”

Watch Adm. Paparo’s guest lecture at NPS: https://youtu.be/FD8A2Fr5OAY

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

The Alliance faces an increasingly severe strategic and nuclear threat environment. The Government of Japan and the Government of the United States of America are committed to reinforcing extended deterrence in order to promote regional stability and deter the outbreak of conflict.

Based upon accumulated discussion primarily through the Extended Deterrence Dialogue (EDD), the Governments of Japan and the United States have formulated the Guidelines for Extended Deterrence. This document reinforces the Alliance’s existing consultation and communication procedures related to extended deterrence. The Guidelines also address strategic messaging to maximize deterrence and enhance measures for U.S. extended deterrence, bolstered by Japan’s defense capabilities.

The Alliance will continue to explore how best to ensure extended deterrence is strong and credible.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  –  

The Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Montana (SSN 794) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following a change of home port from Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, Dec. 23, 2024.

Montana’s arrival marks the ninth Virginia-class fast-attack submarine homeported at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and the submarine will be assigned to Submarine Squadron 1.

“We’re all very excited to be here in Pearl Harbor and we appreciate the great welcome,” said Cmdr. John Gilligan, commanding officer of USS Montana. “This crew did extraordinary work in Virginia to get to this significant milestone. It was an honor to go to sea with them. Now that we’re here in the Pacific, we’re ready and eager to get out there doing the work of the Navy.”

Capt. Aaron Peterson, commander, Submarine Squadron 1 met the Montana pier side upon arrival to welcome the crew to their new home. “On behalf of the Pacific Submarine Force Ohana, I enthusiastically welcome the officers and crew of the good ship Montana, with the warmth, culture, and spirit unique to the state of Hawaii,” said Peterson. “I look forward to getting Montana’s crew trained, certified, and out to sea to defend our nation, and our allies and partners from aggression.”

Before completing its home port shift from the east coast, Montana completed a post-shakedown availability at Newport News Shipbuilding and was re-delivered to the Navy in November 2024. “Through a great effort by the crew, working with our industry partners, we’ve completed our availability and rejoined the Fleet. We’re ready to execute any task we’re called upon to complete throughout the Indo-Pacific,” said Gilligan. “The crew has been looking forward to executing this change of homeport, reuniting with our families, and bringing the Montana community all together. We’re thrilled to join the team here in Hawaii and stand ready to defend our nation.”

Commissioned on June 25, 2022, at Naval Station Norfolk, Montana is the second warship to be named after the state, following the armored cruiser USS Montana (ACR 13). The boat is more than 377 feet long and can displace nearly 7,800 tons. Montana has a crew of approximately 140 Sailors and is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

The U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force provides strategic deterrence, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, precision land strike, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and early warning, and special warfare capabilities around the globe.

For more information, contact csp_pao@us.navy.mil or visit our website at https://www.csp.navy.mil/.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PORT KLANG, Malaysia  –  

This visit marks the second U.S. Navy aircraft carrier visit to Malaysia in just over a month since 2012. The U.S. established diplomatic relations with Malaysia in 1957 following Malaysia’s independence from the United Kingdom, elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership in April 2014.

“Malaysia is a key partner for us in the Indo-Pacific. Our visit reinforces the importance of this partnership to the United States,” said Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, Carrier Strike Group ONE (CSG-1). “Visiting Port Klang provides us with an important and unique opportunity to collaborate with our Royal Malaysian Navy counterparts, continuing to build upon our strategic and mutually beneficial partnership, while also providing our Sailors well-deserved downtime to explore the area and build connections within the community.”

The U.S. and Malaysia cooperate closely on security matters, including counter-terrorism, maritime domain awareness, and regional stability, and participate frequently in bilateral and multilateral training, exercises and visits.

“The back-to-back visits of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and the USS Abraham Lincoln to Malaysia underscore the depth and strength of our security ties—an enduring cornerstone of the U.S.-Malaysia Comprehensive Partnership,” said U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan. “Building on decades of close collaboration, we continue to bolster our security partnership and remain committed to working with Malaysia to advance our shared vision of a free, secure, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.”

During their stay in Malaysia, the nearly 7,500 Sailors from CSG-1 will participate in cultural exchanges, community relations events, and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR)-sponsored tours to enhance cultural understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

“On behalf of America’s Favorite Aircraft Carrier, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude to the people of Port Klang and Kuala Lumpur for welcoming the Sailors of USS Carl Vinson with such enthusiasm and warm hospitality,” said Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer, USS Carl Vinson. “We are delighted to welcome Malaysian Navy and government officials aboard Vinson, and we are grateful for the opportunity to immerse ourselves in the rich history and culture of Malaysia.”

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group consists of USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) ONE and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) one, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) Two, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG 104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110).

CVW-2 is composed of nine squadrons flying the F-35C Lightning II, F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growler, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, CMV-22 Osprey and MH-60R/S Seahawks.

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

For more news from CSG-1 and Carl Vinson visit: https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CSG1, https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN70