Category: Indo-Pacific

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Fighter aircraft from Japan, and the Republic of Korea conducted a trilateral escort flight of U.S. bombers operating in the Indo-Pacific, Jan. 15, 2025.

Two Japan Air Self-Defense Force F-2s and two Republic of Korea Air Force F-15Ks escorted two U.S. Air Force B-1B Lancers.

This first trilateral flight of 2025 builds upon a history of strong trilateral cooperation, enabling an immediate coordinated response to regional security challenges. This increasingly steady and sophisticated trilateral interoperability of our aerial and maritime forces strengthens our collective deterrence and defense posture.

Our three nations maintain an absolute commitment to the shared vision of a secure, rules-based, free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SATTAHIP, Thailand  –  

U.S. Marines with U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and members of the Royal Thai Marine Corps (RTMC) met to discuss future engagements between the two forces, Dec. 10 – 13, 2024.

Senior leaders from MARFORPAC traveled over six thousand miles to participate in the multi-day event, known as the USMC-RTMC Future Engagement Planning (FEP) Conference, to further strengthen regional cooperation and collaboration with the RTMC.

While this event gave leaders from both sides an outlet for collaboration, military-to-military relations between the USMC and RTMC is nothing new.

“The alliance between the U.S. and Thailand has been around since the mid 1950’s. The U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Thai Marine Corps have been working together for many years, much longer than I have been alive.” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Mark F. Schaefer, commanding officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

Participants discussed various topics during the week including ways to develop RTMC Amphibious Combat Vehicle and Amphibious Assault Vehicle maintenance capabilities, as well as opportunities to increase interoperability between partner nations, including topics such as complex multilateral military medicine.

“I think it was successful in the sense that the Royal Thai Marine Corps have come to us with a list of things that they would like to see come out of our partnership, whether that be training or equipment, and we can work in the coming months and years to continue to integrate our forces and develop our strong partnership with the Thai military as we keep a free U.S. Indo-Pacific Command region,” said Schaefer.

One key individual was Royal Thai Marine Corps Cmdr. Weerakmon Suanchan, a counterintelligence officer, who facilitated the communication between U.S. and Royal Thai Marines, preventing any limitations due to language barriers from hindering their discussions.

“I feel we got a lot of updated knowledge and experiences from the United States Marine Corps, especially MARFORPAC,” said Suanchan. “This is a good time for us to learn from each other, and we are able to continue the connection easily, which we appreciate.”

With an ocean surface area of over 100 million square miles and a total coastline of approximately 155 thousand miles in the Pacific Region, maintaining relationships between partner nations is critical to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

“USMC-RTMC Future Engagement Planning is critical to building upon the decades-old US-Thai alliance,” said U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Kyle J. Rempe, Southeast Asia desk officer, G-5 Plans Division, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific.

Events like the USMC-RTMC Future Engagements Planning Conference maintain and strengthen relationships between nations and help the U.S. and its allies more prepared for whatever may come in the future.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific is the largest operational command in the Marine Corps. It comprises two-thirds of the Marine Corps’ active-duty combat forces, collectively known as the “Pacific Marines.” Pacific Marines serve as an expeditionary force-in-readiness. They operate as air-ground-logistics teams and are forward positioned and actively employed throughout the Indo-Pacific every day. Pacific Marines live and work alongside the joint force and like-minded allies and partners to prevent conflict, respond to crisis, and if the Nation calls, to fight and win.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

HONOLULU  –   Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers a keynote address at the Hawaii Military Affairs Council’s Biannual State of the Indo-Pacific event in Honolulu, Jan. 14, 2024.

Attendees included MAC members from the business community and labor industries; retired flag and general officers; elected officials and employees from the county, state, and federal governments; and military, DoD civilians and contractors.

The Hawaii MAC is a liaison and advocates with military commands to support and emphasize the military’s role and relevance in Hawaii, while identifying potential impacts to the defense industry, Hawaii’s businesses and surrounding communities.

Paparo addressed the regional security environment, highlighting increased activity by adversarial nations. He noted the importance of deterrence and the need for local, state, and government officials to maintain open lines of communication to ensure military training and readiness levels remain high.

Through initiatives such as the Navy’s Project 33, Marine Corps’ Force Design and the U.S. Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment, USINDOPACOM, along with allies and partners, continues to adapt to 21st century challenges.

Hawaii is also home to more than 100,000 service members and their families, and remains the gateway to the Indo-Pacific. While providing a strategic forward base of security against regional threats, the military contributes greatly to the Hawaii economy by increasing job opportunities and driving commerce.

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.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

TOKYO, Japan  –  

Yokota participated in a joint, multilateral exhibition for the annual New Year’s Jumps hosted by the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force at Camp Narashino, Japan, Jan. 12.

The New Year’s Jumps date back to the 1960s with a goal of bringing good luck to JGSDF paratroopers in the new year.

This iteration of jumps has an official name of New Year Jump in Indo-Pacific 25.

This year, the 36th Airlift Squadron flew three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft to deliver 20 U.S. Army and 46 JGSDF paratroopers. In total, the event saw approximately 200 jumpers from 12 nations, bolstering an ironclad bond between allies and partners while further enhancing readiness and security in the region.

The participating countries included the U.S., Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Philippines and Singapore.

Multilateral training enhances interoperability amongst forces by strengthening ties between allied and partnered nations while improving combat readiness. The event not only showcased combined military capability, but also reinforces the strategic importance of safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The key objectives of these drops were to celebrate long-standing traditions, while increasing combat readiness between U.S. and international partners,” said Capt. Jack Rollings, 36th AS C130-J pilot. “This sets the tone for a year of continuous growth, collaboration and operational excellence.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan.  –  

Recently, the Mission Command Training Program (MCTP) supported the U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) combined exercise known as Yama Sakura 87 (YS87), which was a trilateral exercise with two multinational allies tied to USARPAC’s Operation Pathways.

The MCTP’s Chief Controller for the Warfighter Exercise (WFX), U.S. Army Col. Kristopher “Kris” H. Howell, explained the nature of the training event.

“Yama Sakura is traditionally a bilateral U.S. Army and [Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force] exercise with over 40 years of execution history between the two nations. This has recently expanded to include the Australian Army and an element from [III Marine Expeditionary Force],” the Aurora, Ill., native said.

U.S. Army Col. Benjamin “Ben” E. Jackman, who serves as MCTP’s Chief of Operations Group (COG) – Bravo and hails from Plainsboro, N.J., articulated the purpose of YS87 and how it was different than a normal WFX.

“[MCTP] facilitates YS87 / WFX 25-2 supported stimulation of I Corps, 11th Airborne Division, 25th Infantry Div., 7th Multi-Domain Command, and 1st Special Forces Group (Abn.) training objectives during … 07-15 Dec. 2024 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash.; Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; and Japan to enable professional warfighting through leadership development within a large-scale combat operation setting in a multi-domain environment,” Jackman said. “In terms of terrain, YS87 was 13.14 times larger than any exercise ever conducted by MCTP… [covering] 10,429,900 sq. km.” and 17 time zones. In context, with all these units plus multinational allies, the simulation used 201,414 objects (blue and red units) that averaged more than 1,900 combat interactions every hour making this WFX 1.5 times greater than previous ones. This is the first WFX for the 11th Abn. Div. plus the first one for an arctic division in the U.S. Army.

Meanwhile, U.S. Army Col. David Connor, the MCTP COG – Charlie, added another observation.

YS87 was conducted with WFX 25-2, the first time two such exercises were combined… making the exercise larger and more complex, said Connor, who calls Joliet, Ill., home.

MCTP’s Command Sgt. Maj. Kirk R. Foster, who claims Fort Collins, Colo., as home, summarized the training experience.

“MCTP is a very talented and special unit… a team of teams,” he stated. “[MCTP] is truly enabling professional warfighting and driving change for the Army.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan  –  

F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to 134th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, Vermont Air National Guard, touched down at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 13, 2025, the latest round of U.S. Air Force fighter deployments to the Pacific.

As part of its modernization plan, the U.S. Air Force is retiring the aging F-15C/D fleet of aircraft that has been in service for more than 40 years. Kadena maintains a steady-state fighter presence by hosting fourth- and fifth-generation fighters to backfill the F-15C/D Eagles as they return to the United States.

The 134th EFS will be integrating with F-22 Raptors from the 525th EFS and F-16C Fighting Falcons from the 77th EFS to continually provide forward fighter capabilities in support of theater deterrence and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives.

“Our squadron eagerly anticipates the chance to elevate our training by testing ACE concepts during this deployment,” said Lt. Col. Trevor Callen, 134th EFS commander. “We are committed to leveraging our experiences and techniques alongside our bilateral partners and Kadena flying units, which will significantly enhance our operational versatility in the Indo-Pacific.”

As the Keystone of the Pacific, Kadena is a pivotal hub for Agile Combat Employment. The 18th Wing will continue to receive rotational units that strengthen capabilities, such as ACE, and project combat power in concert with allies and partners.

These continuous rotations of aircraft at Kadena ensure the 18th Wing remains flexible and postured to deliver lethal and credible airpower to deter acts of aggression.

“Kadena’s commitment to regional deterrence is ironclad,” said Col. David Deptula, 18th Wing Operations Group commander. “Rotational aircraft are a normal part of Kadena’s operations, and their presence ensures the continuation of our long-standing mission to defend Japan and maintain an open and free Indo-Pacific.”

Throughout these deployments, the 18th Wing will continue to comply with applicable bilateral agreements with the Government of Japan. All visiting aircrews receive thorough briefings on local noise abatement procedures and mission planners will continue to give due consideration to the local community.

Modernizing capabilities in the Indo-Pacific theater remains a top priority. The transition to more capable aircraft at Kadena exemplifies the DoD’s continued commitment to enhancing posture while building on the strong foundation of its Alliance with Japan.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

WASHINGTON – Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro announced the names of two future Gerald R. Ford-class of aircraft carriers as the future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) and the future USS George W. Bush (CVN 83).

The future USS William J. Clinton honors President William J. Clinton, 42nd President of the United States of America, serving two terms from 1993 to 2001. The future USS George W. Bush honors President George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States of America, serving two terms from 2001 to 2009. This will be the first Navy vessel named for either president.

The names follow the Navy tradition of often naming aircraft carriers after U.S. presidents.

“President Clinton and President Bush led the United States through some of the most challenging moments in U.S. history,” said Secretary Del Toro. “Their legacies will endure through these aircraft carriers, which serve as formidable platforms dedicated to safeguarding our national security and strengthening our resolve to protect this Nation against any who would threaten our freedoms and way of life.”

As Commander-in-Chief, Clinton was responsible for multiple military operations that achieved success with no combat casualties including Operation Uphold Democracy in 1994, Operation Deliberate Force in 1995, and Operation Allied Force in 1999. In response to a reported Iraqi attempt to assassinate former President H.W. Bush, President Clinton directed a U.S. Navy cruise missile strike against Iraqi intelligence headquarters in 1993, and another cruise missile strike in 1996, Operation Desert Strike, to deter Iraqi aggression. These strikes were followed in 1998 by Operation Desert Fox, an air campaign to degrade Iraqi capability to produce weapons of mass destruction. In 1996, he directed the largest deployment of U.S. naval forces since the Vietnam War in response to the Third Taiwan Straits Crisis to deter Chinese aggression.

Among his numerous diplomatic achievements, President Clinton had a pivotal role in the Oslo Accords, which established a framework for peace between Israel and Palestinians and was also instrumental in the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which ended conflict in Northern Ireland. He declared Iran a “state sponsor of terrorism” and imposed substantial sanctions on Iran. An integral part of the “Agreed Framework” of 1994, his efforts temporarily halted North

Korean attempts to develop nuclear weapons. He established full diplomatic relations with Vietnam and oversaw the first expansion of NATO since 1982, with the addition of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, as well as creating the Partnership-for-Peace program with nations of the former Soviet Union.

“It’s never far from my mind that the precious freedoms Americans enjoy are safeguarded by our armed forces, anchored by a strong, modern, and agile Navy. I’m honored that future servicemembers carrying on that proud tradition will serve on a carrier bearing my name,” said President Bill Clinton.

During a private ceremony at the White House on Jan. 3, 2025, along with the ship’s name, Secretary Del Toro announced the sponsor for the future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) will be Ms. Chelsea Clinton, daughter of President Clinton. She will represent a lifelong relationship with the ship and crew.

As Commander-in-Chief, President Bush rallied the nation in the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks on 11 September 2001. He forged an international coalition of 25 NATO members and 17 partner nations to execute Operation Enduring Freedom, dismantling terrorist networks in Afghanistan. He spearheaded the largest U.S. government reorganization since 1947, creating the Department of Homeland Security by combining 22 federal agencies and establishing the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to integrate operations across 18 intelligence agencies. He also signed the USA Patriot Act, updated the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, and directed deployment of aggressive financial measures to freeze terrorists’ assets.

In 2003, he directed Operation Iraqi Freedom, which ended the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein and enabled Iraq’s first direct elections in over three decades. On the global stage, President Bush supported a further expansion of NATO into Eastern Europe and the Baltic States, while working with Russia to reduce nuclear weapons stockpiles. Recognizing the evolving nature of global threats, he directed the establishment of the U.S. Africa Command and advanced the planning for U.S. Cyber Command. He also launched the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), a historic humanitarian initiative that saved millions of lives. Throughout his tenure, President Bush increased defense spending by more than a third to modernize the military and accelerate technological advancements, ensuring the United States Armed Forces remained the most capable in the world.

“I am honored that my name will be associated with the United States Navy and a symbol of our Nation’s might,” said former President Bush. “I have a special admiration for the men and women of our Navy – including my dad – and ask God to watch over this ship and those who sail aboard her.”

Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces – the most adaptable and survivable airfields in the world. On any given day, Sailors aboard an aircraft carrier and its air wing come to the fight trained and equipped to fulfill a wide range of missions. They are ready to

control the sea, conduct strikes, and maneuver across the electromagnetic spectrum and cyberspace. No other naval force fields a commensurate range and depth of combat capabilities.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan  –  

Emergency responders from across the 18th Wing collaborated in a major accident response exercise (MARE) in support of a base-wide routine readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 12, 2025.

During the MARE, the Kadena Fire Department and 18th Security Forces Squadron trained to respond to an aircraft incident. After securing the scene, first responders prioritized simulated casualty care while 18th Civil Engineer Squadron’s engineering assistants and explosive ordnance disposal teams began recovery operations to prevent further damage.

“The highest priority is being ready to save lives.” said U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Drew Sturgeon, 18th CEG infrastructure systems superintendent. “If there are casualties, responders are going to safely go in there and get them the medical care that they need.”

Through diverse exercises, the 18th Wing validates and strengthens shared responsibilities, tactics, procedures and systems that will enable units to operate together seamlessly in the event of a real-world crisis.

“The more our Airmen practice, the more familiar the procedures become,” said Sturgeon. “The Airmen learn to control their stress as they execute their mission which prepares them for when real world events happen.”

Working together, all responding units ensured that the simulated casualties were given necessary care and further damage to the aircraft and surrounding area was kept to a minimum to complete their training scenario.

Large scale readiness exercises allow Kadena units to practice working seamlessly alongside one another to accomplish the mission under adverse conditions.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska  –  

YS 87 is a demonstration of U.S., Japan, and Australian dedication to fortifying a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The exercise honed skills and emphasized the crucial role of interoperability among the participating nations.

“Exercising interoperability among Japanese, Australian and U.S. forces helps to identify our similarities and overcome our differences across our three countries’ warfighting concepts and strategies in the Pacific. We demonstrated that we can share common networks and communication methods to synchronize and integrate diverse weapon systems into a common operational approach,” Adams said.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  –  

Often the heart of community celebrations, the Eighth Army Band is the heartbeat of strong relationships throughout the Republic of Korea. The only U.S. Army band stationed in Asia, their packed year-round positive impacts are critical to the joint, combined, and international spirit of the U.S.-ROK Alliance.

For decades, the band has been a symbol of the enduring friendship between the U.S. and South Korea. Koreans often recall fond memories of the U.S. military through Eighth Army Band performances, which served as a bridge to American culture. Through music, they demonstrate the soft power of military-to-military and military-to-civilian connections, embodying shared values and building trust with audience and the U.S. Army.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Richard Chapman, the band’s commander, shared a moving encounter: “After one performance, an elderly Korean approached me and said a U.S. Soldier—who looked just like me—had given him food and sent him to safety during the Korean War. He believed he wouldn’t have survived without the U.S. Army.”

The band’s role extends beyond music, evoking memories of hope and recovery during Korea’s post-war years. Many Koreans learned English by listening to the band’s performances and forged friendships with Americans during the reconstruction era. Maj. Kook Ju-ho, Commander of the ROK Army Ground Operations Command Military Band, fondly remembered how his connection to the U.S. military began 30 years ago when he accompanied his parents to a church choir at Camp Red Cloud. “I remember how fascinating the base was, how delicious the American food was, and how I learned simple English phrases and even bowling from U.S. soldiers. Now, as a military band commander, I am creating new memories with the U.S. military that remind me of those joyful childhood experiences,” he said.

The Eighth Army Band performs approximately 240 times a year. Their mission spans all branches of the U.S. and ROK military, as well as the United Nations Command. As the only U.S. military band in Korea, the unit supports key U.S. commands such as 7th Air Force, Marine Forces Korea, and U.S. Naval Forces Korea. Their presence ensures seamless collaboration across all military branches and strengthens the U.S.-ROK Alliance.

Chief Chapman highlighted the band’s impact beyond entertainment: “Our presence often makes community or government leaders more receptive to enabling Army training in their towns. Musicians can access places and audiences that others cannot.”

The band plays a vital role during key moments—whether celebrating new leadership at change-of-command ceremonies or honoring fallen heroes at memorials and historic battle
commemorations. Their music unites communities and pays homage to sacrifices made in the name of freedom.

Holidays are especially busy, bringing joy to service members, civilians, and families stationed far from home. Their efforts align with U.S. Forces Korea’s vision of making Korea “The Assignment of Choice,” with a focus on safety and quality of life for all personnel.

Even as their public performances slow in January and February, the band remains active. “We concentrate on receptions, military balls, and collective training on our ‘Fight Tonight’ mission skills,” Chapman explained. They will prepare for their wartime mission of theater casualty reporting—a task expected to become mission-essential for all Army bands.

Ultimately, the Eighth Army Band reflects the Eighth Army’s broader mission of fostering strong alliances and partnerships in the defense of two homelands.

“Our team takes pride in representing the U.S. community and showcasing the Eighth Army mission in Korea,” Chapman said. “It’s an honor to be part of something that resonates with people across generations.”