Category: Defense

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh held an introductory call today to reaffirm their shared commitment to the U.S.-India Major Defense Partnership. The leaders agreed to pursue an ambitious agenda to accelerate our operational cooperation and defense industrial and technology collaboration to deter aggression in the Indo-Pacific. The Secretary noted he looks forward to holding the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue and concluding the next ten-year U.S.-India Defense Framework this year.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  –  

In January 2025, the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research joined forces with the 65th Medical Brigade at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, to conduct a train-the-trainer course on Behavioral Health Guidelines for mEdic Assessment and Response. Designed to equip medics and unit helpers—many without prior behavioral health training—with essential skills for assessing and addressing mental health issues, the course marks a significant step toward bolstering mental health support within military units.

Led by Dr. Katie Nugent, a behavioral health epidemiologist at WRAIR’s Military Psychiatry branch, the three-and-a-half-day program was supported by an expert team that included Dr. Josh Wilk, Ms. Kristina Clarke-Walper, Maj. Jose Nunuz, Capt. George Mesias, and Ms. Mary Sampson. The training provided a comprehensive, hands-on experience that prepared participants not only to implement BH GEAR within their own units but also to train others, thereby creating a multiplier effect.

“We know that behavioral health problems are commonly experienced, but in garrison and far-forward environments, there just aren’t enough trained providers to meet the need” said Dr. Nugent on BH GEAR’s origin. “Medics are ideally suited to fill this need because they are already monitoring their unit’s health.”

Recent data underscores that medics often feel less confident when discussing mental health compared to physical health. To address this, BH GEAR was developed to enhance medics’ knowledge and confidence in identifying and managing mental health concerns, ensuring they have the practical tools needed to support their units effectively.

This course was the fifth iteration of the BH GEAR train-the-trainer program, following successful sessions at Joint Base Lewis McChord, Fort Drum, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, and Fort Bliss. The training format is dynamic and interactive: after observing a sample session on the first day, participants were divided into groups to practice segments of the training, receive targeted feedback, and refine their delivery techniques. The curriculum also covered common challenges in facilitation and provided extensive training materials to ensure that every participant could confidently conduct BH GEAR sessions independently.

Dr. Nugent emphasized the importance of this hands-on approach: “you can’t just show them the training and be done with it. Our method of breaking into groups, practicing, and receiving feedback ensures that each trainee is fully prepared to lead BH GEAR training within their own unit.”

The successful delivery of the training at Camp Humphreys represents a significant milestone toward more widespread implementation of BH GEAR. “Our team is excited to meet the increasing demand for mental health support,” Dr. Nugent said. “We are actively working to integrate BH GEAR into the initial, annual, and pre-deployment training curricula for Army, Navy, and Air Force medics. This integration is essential for ensuring that medics are equipped to safeguard not only the physical but also the mental well-being of their units.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PHILIPPINE SEA   –  

U.S. forces will participate in Exercise Pacific Steller 2025, a multi-large deck event (MLDE) hosted by the French Navy in the Philippine Sea beginning Feb. 8. The exercise will involve ships from the U.S. Navy’s Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VINCSG), the French Carrier Strike Group, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

This MLDE is designed to advance coordination and cooperation between French, Japanese and U.S. maritime forces while simultaneously demonstrating capabilities in multi-domain operations, promoting a shared dedication to regional stability, and highlighting the U.S. Navy’s enduring power projection capability.

“Pacific Steller 2025 allows us to practice seamless integration with our French and Japanese allies in a multi-domain environment,” said Rear Adm. Michael Wosje, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1. “Coordinated operations between USS Carl Vinson, FS Charles De Gaulle, and JS Kaga strengthen our alliances and deter our adversaries. Together, we seek to maintain an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, free of all forms of coercion, and we’re excited to work alongside our allies and partners who share that vision.”

The U.S.-France alliance is built on a legacy of shared interests, values, and a commitment to freedom and human rights.

“It is a great opportunity for the French Carrier Strike Group to cooperate with our partners in the Indo-Pacific during the whole deployment. While France is a resident nation of the Indo-Pacific, it has not deployed its CSG to this part of the world for a long time,” said Rear Adm. Jacques Mallard, commander, French CSG. “Since January 14, the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, based in Toulon more than 6000 miles from here, is sailing in a different area. There is no doubt that PACIFIC STELLER will ramp up to a new level of interoperability for our three navies and represents a challenge that we are more than eager to take up alongside Japanese and US partners.”

The most recent MLDE in the Indo-Pacific occurred in August 2024 between the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and the Italian Navy aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550). The event marked the first MLDE conducted between the U.S. and Italian navies in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Our routine integration aims to showcase our partnership and demonstrate our ability to work together with our French and Japanese allies,” said Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). “Pacific Steller 2025 is one of many exercises with the goal to enhance the maritime security of the Indo-Pacific region. As the flagship of CSG-1, Carl Vinson stands ready and looks forward to participating alongside Charles De Gaulle and Kaga.”

MLDEs are conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other states.

Participating large-deck ships include the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), the French carrier FS Charles De Gaulle, and Japan’s Izumo-class multi-functional destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184).

CSG-1 consists of Carl Vinson, embarked staffs of CSG-1 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) one, Carrier Air Wing 2 (CVW) 2, the 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.

French Carrier Strike Group consists of Charles De Gaulle, its embarked French Strike Force staff and carrier air wing, an air-defense destroyer, multi-mission frigates, a supply ship, an attack submarine, and a detachment of Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft.

The French carrier air wing flies the Rafale Marine (F4) fighter aircraft, E-2C Hawkeye, and Dauphin, Caiman Marine, and Panther helicopters.

The French Carrier Strike Group is currently engaged in Mission CLEMENCEAU 25, sailing alongside its allies and strategic partners to promote a free, open and stable Indo-Pacific space for the benefit of French populations, interests, and those of their regional partners, within the framework of international law.

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

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

On February 6, 2025, an aircraft contracted by the U.S. Department of Defense crashed in the Philippine Province of Maguindanao del Sur.

The aircraft was providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies. The incident occurred during a routine mission in support of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation activities. 

We can confirm no survivors of the crash. There were four personnel on board, including one U.S. military service member and three defense contractors.

The names of the crew are being withheld pending next of kin notification.

The cause of the crash is currently under investigation, and we have no further details to release at this time.

Additional updates will be provided as they become available.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

AIEA, Hawaii  –  

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command hosts a delegation from the Malaysian Armed Forces for the 40th iteration of the Bilateral Training and Consultative Group (BITACG), Feb. 5-6, 2025. The U.S. and Malaysia have a long-standing relationship built on cooperation in the defense domain and a partnership underscored by mutual respect. 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)