Source: United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/08/2025 07:45 PM EST
02/08/2025 07:17 PM EST
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Source: United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/08/2025 07:45 PM EST
02/08/2025 07:17 PM EST
Source: United States AFRICOM
U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John W. Brennan, Deputy Commander, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Rose Keravuori, Director of Intelligence, U.S. Africa Command, met with Libyan leaders, Feb. 4-6, to promote increased security cooperation between the United States and Libya.
The two generals and the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Libya Jeremy Berndt met with officials from both the Government of National Unity (GNU) and Libya National Army (LNA) in locations throughout Libya, to include Tripoli, Benghazi, and Sirte, a city where U.S. support to the fight against Da’ish in 2016 helped the people of Sirte and the surrounding region regain peace and stability.
While there, leaders from both the GNU and LNA expressed commitment to greater military unification and cooperation efforts through face-to-face engagements and training that benefits both sides, contributing to Libyan efforts to overcome divisions and foster unity.
“This week was a significant step in forwarding our efforts with Libya’s civilian and military leaders throughout the country,” said Brennan. “Brigadier General Keravuori and I were able to meet with leaders at various levels, to include tactical unit levels, to see where the United States can serve as a catalyst to bring about a unified country able to defeat malign actors who threaten North Africa and U.S. security interests.”
In Benghazi, Brennan, Keravuori and Chargé d’Affaires Berndt met with LNA Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar and LNA Ground Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar. The leaders discussed U.S.-Libya cooperation supporting stability in the country and Libyan-led efforts to reunify military institutions.
The U.S. delegation spent time in Tripoli where they engaged with GNU Prime Minister and Acting Minister of Defense Abdul Hamid Dabaiba and Deputy Defense Minister Brig. Gen. Abdel Salam Zubi, discussing security cooperation, efforts to promote regional stability, and Libyan-led efforts to unify its military and security institutions.
Leaders also met with GNU Chief of Staff General Mohammed Haddad, Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Salah Namroush, and the Director of Military Intelligence and 444 Commander Maj. Gen. Mahmoud Hamza where topics of discussion included professional development of Libya’s military and opportunities to strengthen bilateral defense ties.
Finally, Brennan and Keravuori traveled to Sirte and met again with Lt. Gen. Saddam Haftar and visited several tactical units as well as the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) Headquarters. There they explored training and technical assistance opportunities to enhance cooperation among Libyan security forces throughout the country in accordance with recent United Nations Arms Embargo modifications granted by the U.N. Security Council.
“We thank our partners in the east and west for receiving us and continuing to engage with us on their important efforts to reunify the Libyan military,” said Chargé d’Affaires Berndt. “A strong and unified Libyan military will help Libya safeguard its sovereignty in the face of malign actors and regional instability.”
“On this trip we were able to witness a lot of positive reconstruction and efforts to increase military professionalism in Tripoli, Benghazi, and Sirte. What we observed demonstrates Libyan resolve, resilience and desire for stability, economic development, and prosperity through cooperation with the U.S. government and private investment,” said Brennan. “A stronger and more unified Libya is better for the people of Libya and for regional security. We look forward to building on existing defense activities and investments that move toward our shared goals of a safe, secure, and prosperous Libya.”
U.S. Africa Command is one of seven U.S. Department of Defense geographic combatant commands. The command is responsible for all U.S. military operations, exercises, security cooperation, and conducts crisis response on the African continent in order to advance U.S. interests and promote regional security, stability, and prosperity.
For more information, visit our website, Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact U.S. Africa Command Media Relations at africom-pao-media@mail.mil.
Source: United States Coast Guard
News Release |
U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska |
02/07/2025 10:54 PM EST
JUNEAU, Alaska — The Coast Guard ended its search for a missing aircraft with 10 people aboard after it was located Friday afternoon approximately 34 miles southeast of Nome. A Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew located the aircraft wreckage and lowered two rescue swimmers down to the aircraft. The rescue swimmers located three individuals in the forward part of the aircraft showing no signs of life. The remaining seven people are believed to be inside the aircraft, which was inaccessible due to the condition of the plane. The Coast Guard determined the severity of the wreckage was beyond the possibility of survival.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
OTARU, Japan –
USS Howard (DDG 83), forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, arrived at Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan on February 7, 2025, for a scheduled port visit.
Howard, commanded by Cmdr. Eric Smitley, is an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer; it is approximately 155 meters in length, displacing approximately 8,900 tons, and has a crew size of more than 300.
While in Otaru, the crew is looking forward to meeting the citizens and opportunities for sightseeing, shopping, and enjoying the local cuisine and cultural attractions; and learning more about the scenic and historic area of Hokkaido Japan.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin held an introductory call today.
Secretary Hegseth and Minister Sjafrie reiterated the United States’ and Indonesia’s commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. Both leaders also reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral defense partnership and expressed willingness to work together on facilitating defense cooperation and cooperating on regional maritime security.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
JAPAN –
The U.S.-Japan Alliance remains a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Alliance is now even more necessary amidst an increasingly severe security environment, according to government officials from the U.S and Japan. The shared strategic vision of both governments and flexible security frameworks have enabled the Alliance to confront unprecedented challenges and adapt to the evolving security landscape, according to officials.
The importance of the U.S.-Japan Alliance was enshrined in the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. It was created to strengthen the bonds of peace and friendship between the U.S. and Japan and to uphold the principles of democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. The U.S. and Japan established the Status of Forces Agreement under Article VI of the Treaty to contribute to two endeavors of great importance to both countries: the security of Japan and the maintenance of international peace and security.
During the July 2024 Joint Statement of the Security Consultative Committee (2+2), U.S and Japan leaders underscored the significance of the Treaty and highlighted the importance of modernizing the Alliance’s command and control structures. This includes the creation of Japan’s Joint Operations Command and the transformation of U.S. Forces Japan (USFJ) into an operational Joint Force Headquarters.
According to U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, commander of USFJ and Fifth Air Force, “a Joint Force Headquarters will enable us to pool our resources, leverage our unique capabilities, and project power more effectively, thereby extending deterrence and the defense of Japan.” Jost emphasized the need for a clear-eyed understanding of the security environment and the importance of evolving and adapting to meet the challenges ahead. “We must join our allies and partners, to include multilateral partnerships, to deter, defend, and support the defense of Japan, its citizens, and the rules-based international order of the Indo-Pacific.”
The third priority from the 2+2 meeting outlines focus areas in “Modernizing the Alliance,” with both countries committed to deepening and expanding multilateral cooperation with vital international partners, like Australia, the Republic of Korea, the Philippines, Association of Southeast Asia Nations (ASEAN), Pacific Island Countries, and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) counterparts. The Alliance is rooted in a common understanding that regional deterrence and collective security depend on the ability of both countries to collaborate with like-minded nations in key areas such as capabilities, exercises, maritime domain awareness, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.
A further welcomed development is the increase in U.S. activities in Japan that are enhanced by the integration of allies and partners, according to senior leaders. Multilateral forces actively engage with Japan Self Defense and U.S. Forces, entering Japan under arrangements between their nations and the Government of Japan.
In January 2025, Defense Minister Gen Nakatani spoke by phone with newly appointed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to discuss the importance of allies and partners in the current security environment.
It is important to build an organic and multilayered network of allies, Nakatani stated.
“It’s important to expand this network and strengthen deterrence, and we have confirmed this common goal at today’s meeting,” he said.
Reinforcing Defense Minister Nakatani’s remarks, General Jost noted that it’s critical for multilateral forces to participate in U.S.-lead, U.S.-directed exercises on SOFA facilities and areas, thereby increasing interoperability and deterrence. “The training we do on our installations in Japan is a key factor in how we effectively signal the strength of our alliances and partnerships. In doing so, we demonstrate our readiness to collectively address the security challenges identified by the U.S. and Japan in Article VI of our Treaty.”
The Treaty recognized then, as the recent 2+2 did last year, that Japan is an essential, strategic partner in ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. The robust security partnership between both nations is built on the tenet of adaptability, a key ability that allows us to respond quickly and effectively in a region experiencing shifting dynamics and emerging threats.
“I have a high degree of confidence that the team we’re building today will deliver a next-level capability to ensure security and prosperity for those in Japan and across the region.” Jost added, “Amidst all the adaptations happening across the headquarters, what I’m most inspired by is the optimism; our teams have embraced this opportunity to position this headquarters for the future – a future that optimizes our relationship with a very capable and vital ally, Japan.”
Source: United States Coast Guard
News Release |
U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas |
02/07/2025 04:34 PM EST
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard interdicted four lanchas, detained 11 Mexican fishermen, and seized approximately 1,595 pounds of illegally caught red snapper and nine sharks in federal waters off southern Texas on Thursday.
Source: United States Coast Guard
U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/07/2025 06:15 PM EST
News Release |
U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska |
02/07/2025 05:47 PM EST
Source: United States Coast Guard
News Release |
U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Public Affairs Detachment Texas |
02/07/2025 04:34 PM EST
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard interdicted three lanchas, detained 11 Mexican fishermen, and seized approximately 1,350 pounds of illegally caught red snapper and nine sharks in federal waters off southern Texas on Thursday.
Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND
Twenty-six Indo-Pacific nations participated in a virtual Chiefs of Defense forum hosted by Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on February 4, 2025. The forum focused on aligning regional threat perceptions to strengthen collective security.
Participants shared their unique sub-regional perspectives, recognizing the importance of understanding diverse priorities. This builds on the previous in-person conference held in Hawaii, September 2024, which emphasized collaboration, interoperability, and the role of non-commissioned officers.
USINDOPACOM remains committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and ensuring peace through power and, when necessary, fighting to win.
The next in-person Chiefs of Defense Conference will be held in August in Hua Hin, Thailand, co-hosted by General Songwit Noonpakdee.