Category: Indo-Pacific

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

OKINAWA, Japan  –  

Just under four nautical miles from Motobu Peninsula, Okinawa, Japan U.S. Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, traveled from Camp Hansen to Ie Shima, a remote island off the coast of Okinawa.

Working alongside Marines from 3rd Intelligence Battalion, III MIG, the team conducted training exercise Rapid Tanto, which implemented concepts of the Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations, outlined in the Marine Corps’ modernization.

EABs use mobile, low-signature forces that can operate from austere locations, including areas within hostile engagement areas. EABs are often self-sustaining in nature and can facilitate sea control campaigns.

During the exercise, the Marines reinforced their ability gather and share information in a communications-degraded environment. As the Indo-pacific region becomes more contested, 5th ANGLICO is increasing stability by implementing EABO concepts. During Rapid Tanto, the Marines established an EAB capable of gathering and transmitting critical information to support dynamic targeting. 3rd Intel Bn’s MST Marines employed a commercial off-the-shelf radar which can locate distant maritime activity with precision.

“The ANGLICO detachment’s primary mission for Rapid Tanto is to insert onto Ie Shima with Maritime Surveillance Teams to assist in setting up radar systems and establishing an EAB to provide maritime domain awareness, utilizing commercial and tactical assets to disseminate track data”, says Capt. Yiannis Rizos, the team lead for Rapid Tanto.

Moving from Camp Hansen to Ie Shima is an opportunity for the Marines to sustain their ability to rapidly assemble and relocate from base to a contested maritime space. The smaller and more mobile units allow rapid deployment, and disaggregation in austere unsupported locations. This reduces logistical burdens and expands the range of communication that III MIG provides to other units leading to a lighter and more expeditionary force.

During Rapid Tanto, 5th ANGLICO and 3rd Intel Bn Marines conducted multiple communication drills during the days and nights with various high frequency radios and satellite internet. These drills involved casualty evacuation 9-lines, close air support 5-lines, and standard data sharing obtained from the radar.

“If a commercial means of passing data is compromised, I need to have a contingency plan. This exercise established alternate ways to transmit data. My data is useless if I’m the only one that knows it”, explains Sgt. Guy Tobin, the Maritime Surveillance Platoon team lead.

Rapid Tanto provided advanced training to 5th ANGLICO and 3rd Intel Bn in developing accurate maritime sensing capability. During this exercise the units demonstrated their ability to act as one integrated force, capable of supporting joint maritime campaigns, and operating in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) participated in the second India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit today in New Delhi, India.

Speakers at the INDUS-X Summit explored opportunities to co-produce advanced military capabilities, create resilient defense supply chains, and enhance U.S.-India military interoperability in support of both countries’ shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. Panel participants expanded on several themes inspired by the original INDUS-X collaboration agenda: deepening defense industrial partnerships, increasing collaborative research and testing facility access, mobilizing private capital to support critical defense technologies, and commercializing dual-use technologies. The governments also led a hybrid information session on export controls for U.S. and Indian defense start-ups that aim to form partnerships and co-develop technology.

The summit included announcements on priority efforts under INDUS-X including joint challenges. The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and Innovations for Defense Excellence (iDEX) announced the winners of the first two INDUS-X joint challenges, in which companies compete to develop technologies that solve military problems for the DoD and MoD.  Following a competitive process supported by military service partners and both governments, ten U.S. and Indian companies won over $1 million to develop technologies related to undersea communications and maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). At the Summit, DIU and iDEX also announced that they will open applications for two joint challenges focused on space-based ISR in the coming months.

At the Summit, U.S. companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations announced a new consortium committed to expanding testing facility access. The consortium will explore pathways for defense and dual-use companies in the INDUS-X network to test, refine, and integrate their technologies at premier testing ranges across the U.S. and India.

The Summit featured a meeting of two advisory bodies under INDUS-X. First, U.S. and Indian officials convened for the second meeting of the bilateral Senior Advisory Group, which guides future cooperation under the initiative.  Second, the U.S. Institute of Peace moderated the inaugural meeting of the INDUS-X Senior Leaders Forum, comprised of U.S. and Indian leaders across industry, private equity, academia, and other sectors who convene to share feedback that informs the trajectory of INDUS-X.

The U.S.-India Business Council (USIBC) and the Society of Indian Defense Manufacturers (SIDM) organized the Summit, which convened U.S. and Indian defense companies, investors, researchers, and government officials.

The Department and Ministry launched the bilateral initiative INDUS-X in June 2023 to spur defense innovation in critical technologies by facilitating partnerships among U.S. and Indian companies, investors, and universities. INDUS-X is the innovation bridge envisioned by the U.S. and Indian national security advisors under the initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

The DoD and MoD have released an INDUS-X Fact Sheet to outline both the initiative’s progress to date and priority near-term efforts.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  –  

The 8th Civil Engineer Squadron participated in a 554th Red Horse Squadron-led rapid airfield damage repair training exercise at Kunsan Air Base Republic of Korea, Feb. 13, 2024. Airmen trained on core competencies that could be applied during contingency operations.

The 544th RHS traveled to Kunsan from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to conduct the training exercise to allow Kunsan Airmen an opportunity to participate in training that is rarely given on the Korean Peninsula.

During the training, Red Horse airmen taught the Red Devils new procedures in rapid airfield damage repair, reverse osmosis water purification unit training, crash marking and emergency management tactics.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

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Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

BAY OF BENGAL  –  

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) conducted a trilateral exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to strengthen interoperability and readiness between the three nations, in the Bay of Bengal, Feb. 17-18.

The exercise included the Takanami-class destroyer JS Sazanami (DD 113) of the JMSDF, the Anzac-class frigate HMAS Warramunga (FFH 152) of the RAN, and USS Halsey.

Throughout this exercise, participants conducted trilateral operations designed to enhance interoperability through maneuver, communications, and information sharing. The exercise increased the collective ability of the three nations to maintain maritime security and readiness to respond to any regional contingency.

“It’s a privilege to sail alongside our allies and partners from Australia and Japan,” said Capt. Justin Harts, commander of Task Force (CTF) 71. “Fortifying our interoperability is paramount for CTF 71 and amplifies our mission of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The last time the three nations conducted a naval exercise as a trilateral force was on Feb. 15^th, in the South China Sea.

Australia and Japan have both forged long-standing alliances with the U.S., built on shared interests, promoting global security, stability, and economic prosperity.

Halsey is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

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.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii   –  

The U.S. Department of Defense will participate in the Singapore Airshow 2024 with aerial demonstrations and static displays at Changi Exhibition Center, Republic of Singapore, Feb. 20-25.

SA2024 is one of the largest defense exhibitions and tradeshows in the Pacific and this year it continues with over 1,000 exhibitors expected to participate. Some of the DoD aircraft and equipment scheduled to participate in this year’s event are the F-35A, MQ-9, and P-8 among others.

The DoD is excited for the opportunity to build upon already strong ties with Singapore, showcase equipment and aircraft systems, enable engagement with foreign partners, and further power projection capabilities.

For more information about the airshow click here.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

BARRIGADA, Guam  –  

About 20 Airmen from the Guam Air National Guard’s 254th Security Forces Squadron “Defenders” are on active-duty orders to secure fighter jets operating from the Guam International Airport during Cope North 24, during the month of February. Among those charged with the security mission are Master Sgts. Jordanna Escobar and Misty Palomo, commanded by Lt. Col. Stephen Leon Guerrero.

“Our mission is to perform airfield security including entry control points, roving patrols, and a base defense operations center,” said Escobar.

The Airmen are working out of a newly acquired Domestic Operations Trailer, which houses office space for computer stations and communications equipment, exterior floodlights, and an arms room to store weapons. The work being performed by the Defenders allows pilots participating in Cope North 24 to integrate with civilian airports, enabling more options for takeoff and landing during Cope North 24, part of the Air Force’s concept of agile combat employment.

Cope North 24 is a multinational, U.S. Pacific Air Forces-sponsored, field training exercise focused on airborne integration for large-force employment and agile combat employment. Aimed to further integrate Ally and partner contributions towards enhancing security and stability to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific, approximately 1700 U.S. Airmen, Marines, and Sailors are training alongside 700 Japan Air Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force, French Air and Space Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force service members. By the end of the exercise, about 85 allied aircraft will have flown 1400 missions across three islands and six airfields.

Lt. Col. Stephen Leon Guerrero, commander of the 254th SFS, expressed the importance and pride with which his defenders have volunteered for this mission. “Participating in named exercises like Cope North gives our Airmen an opportunity to see their critical role in not only the defense of Guam and the Marianas, but how we fit in the larger National Defense Strategy and the ACE concept. It gives us a sense of purpose and pride in our role as Defenders of our Island, and our free way of life,” said Leon Guerrero.

According to Master Sgt. Palomo, being from Guam helped smooth the process working with civilian counterparts with the Guam airport and added a sense of meaning to the mission. “We’re all from here, and we all know the mission,” said Palomo. “It’s nice to already have that relationship with our civilian counterparts, which is part of our culture, and it just feels natural. We’re so proud to do this to represent our island and the United States Air Force.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

AURORA, Colorado  –  

The Commander of U.S. Space Forces Indo-Pacific, Brig. Gen. Anthony Mastalir, participated in an international senior-leader panel during the Air and Space Forces Association’s Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado, Feb. 13.

The four-person panel, with more than 4,000 people in attendance, focused on the imperative of thwarting present and evolving air and space threats in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Space Force Guardians are there to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific, to uphold the rules-based international order,” Mastalir said. “Rules-based international order has underscored nearly 80 years of prosperity for every nation that chooses to participate.”

Speaking on denying competitors’ space malign operations and campaigning for counterspace operations, Mastalir emphasized the need to work closely alongside U.S. allies and partners.

Mastalir was joined by U.S. Air Force Col. David J. Berkland, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces; Japan Air Self Defense Force Col. Sugiyama Kimitoshi, Commander, Space Operations Group; and Republic of Korea Air Force Col. Jongseo “Jay” Park, Air & Space Attaché.

“I strongly believe that multilateral cooperation is really important and very effective, especially in the Indo-Pacific,” Kimitoshi said. “That’s how to get three countries to work together.”

Mastalir highlighted the importance of partner nations training together on a regular basis. He spoke about the recently completed exercise KEEN EDGE, an annual multi-national event in the Indo-Pacific emphasizing enhanced interoperability across all spectrums of warfare. He underpinned the value space superiority yields in a conflict and the ability to practice space operations in a major training exercise.

“The value of having these three nations represented here, exercising together, can’t be overstated,” Mastalir said. “When you actually go through the exercise you start to understand where you are like-minded, and what’s important to each sovereign nation and their respective defense forces.”

Mastalir also shed light on why the rules-based international order is essential to ensuring peace and stability and spotlighted how a free and open Indo-Pacific is not possible without the Space Force’s efforts.

“Space superiority not only ensures the combined force has access to space capabilities, but also gives us the ability to deny the adversary the use of space capabilities to protect the combined force from space-enabled attack,” he said.