Category: Indo-Pacific

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

The Department of Defense mourns the loss of President Jimmy Carter at age 100—a principled leader, America’s longest-lived president, a great son of Georgia, and a steadfast champion of human rights and democratic ideals.

Americans will remember President Carter for his leadership in office and his distinguished post-presidency, but the Department also honors his sterling service in uniform. In his Nobel Peace Prize lecture, he noted that his “first chosen career was in the military.” After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1946, the future president completed two years of surface-ship duty before beginning to work on submarines. Lieutenant Carter was then selected to join an important program to develop nuclear-powered submarines, and he served on the first U.S. submarine built since World War II. While he was training to become an engineering officer, his father died, and the young sailor resigned from the Navy to support his family in Georgia. In 2005, the USS Jimmy Carter—a nuclear-powered submarine—was commissioned in his honor, and in 2023, Building 105 at the U.S. Naval Academy was renamed Carter Hall.
 
We also honor President Carter for his contributions to global security. The Carter Doctrine still helps undergird our commitment to stability and security in the Gulf. His administration worked to strengthen NATO and U.S. alliances worldwide, grapple with the Iranian revolution, and confront Soviet aggression in Afghanistan. History will also remember President Carter for establishing official U.S. diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China and for personally brokering peace between Israel and Egypt—the first peace treaty between the Jewish state and one of its Arab neighbors.
  
After his White House tenure ended, President Carter and his beloved wife, the late Rosalynn Carter, founded the Carter Center and worked tirelessly to build homes for the poor, fight disease, and expand economic opportunity. And the former president loved teaching Sunday school. 
 
President Carter’s lifelong leadership and deep faith will continue to inspire Americans and people around the world. On behalf of the entire Department of Defense, Charlene and I send our deepest condolences to the Carter family.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

POHAKULOA TRAINING AREA, Hawaii  –  

U.S. Army Reserve Soldiers from the 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade, 9th Mission Support Command assault Forward Operating Base Warrior during the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center 25-01 at Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii, on Oct. 14, 2024. The Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC) is the Army’s newest Combat Training Center (CTC) and generates readiness in the environments and conditions where our forces are most likely to operate. The 100th Battalion, 422nd Infantry Regiment is the only infantry unit in the U.S. Army Reserve, and consists of companies based out of Hawaii, Washington State, American Samoa, Guam, and Saipan.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Editors note: This story has been updated to clarify the role of the good Samaritan fisherman and the timing of events. U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders conducted updated drift calculations, discussed with the Palau responders, but prior to updated search patterns being sent, the divers were located.

SANTA RITA, Guam — Eight divers reported missing on Dec. 26, 2024, near Peleliu Corner, a renowned dive site off Peleliu Island in Palau, were found alive by a good Samaritan on Dec. 27. The discovery came during a collaborative search effort led by Republic of Palau authorities with support from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam assumed Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator responsibilities when the search area expanded beyond Palau’s territorial seas into the U.S. Coast Guard’s search and rescue region. Initial search efforts focused southwest of Peleliu based on local observations, but updated U.S. Coast Guard drift modeling suggested the group likely drifted northwest.

The JRSC discussed the updated drift calculations with responders, which would move responder efforts to the north where the divers were ultimately located. However, a local fisherman headed out for the day located the divers before updated search patterns were sent to responders. All eight individuals were found in good condition, rescued, and safely returned to Palau.

“The safe recovery of eight missing divers near Peleliu Corner is a testament to the incredible community spirit of Palau. A local fisherman’s vigilance and swift action ultimately brought the search to a successful conclusion, showcasing the vital role of Palau’s residents and their deep connection to their waters,” said Cmdr. Ryan Crose, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam’s search and rescue mission coordinator. “Search and rescue efforts are always a team effort, and we’re grateful for the swift action of Palau’s responders and community. Using our drift modeling tools, we were able to update search recommendations to refocus the direction of the efforts with the best available information.”

The divers, including seven tourists and one guide, were last seen diving at Peleliu Corner, a popular but challenging site known for its strong currents. The incident underscores the importance of collaborative efforts and advanced tools in search and rescue operations.

The U.S. Coast Guard worked with Palau’s Marine Law Enforcement Division, state rangers, and Pacific Mission Aviation during the search. JRSC Guam also coordinated the deployment of a U.S. Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules aircraft from Air Station Barber’s Point in Hawaii to assist, though the case was resolved before its arrival.

The weather forecast for Palau’s coastal waters was an east wind of 10 to 15 knots with wind waves up to 3 feet and northeast swells of 5 to 7 feet. Responders observed locally heavy showers and isolated thunderstorm activity.

-USCG-

About U.S. Coast Guard Team Guam
U.S. Coast Guard Team Guam, comprising over 350 members across Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, focused on maritime safety, security, and stewardship in Oceania. The team includes U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and U.S. Coast Guard Base Guam and their sub-units, staffed by dedicated active-duty, reserve, and civilian personnel. With a significant presence in Guam, Saipan, and the Micronesia sub-region, this integrated team focuses on operations and logistics to support maritime safety, security, and stewardship in Oceania and maintains close ties with local communities.

For more information about U.S. Coast Guard actions, please contact CWO Sara Muir, public affairs officer, at sara.g.muir@uscg.mil or uscgforcesmicronesia@gmail.com.

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

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan  –  

U.S. Marines and master labor contractors with Marine Corps Installations Pacific Marine Corps Base Camp Butler Postal increased working hours to distribute mail to service members and civilian personnel on Camp Foster from November to December 2024.

To match the inrush of gifts for the holiday season for all post offices, the Postal Operations Center and the Camp Foster Post Office have adjusted their work schedule to include holiday liberty periods and weekends. A typical day for postal Marines means working from 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., but their schedule begins fluctuating around Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

“This is a very rewarding time because this is the season where children and families get to celebrate the holidays and we get to be a huge part of that,” said Gunnery Sgt. Cody Koch, custodian of postal effects, Camp Foster Post Office. “However, with the extra mail and demands from this time of year, roles change and Marines take on more responsibilities to make sure that customers are serviced.”

To align with the Defense Policy Review Initiative, the Postal Operations Center on Camp Foster is now responsible for distributing parcels and letters to military post offices throughout Okinawa: MCB Camp Butler, U.S. Army Garrison Torii Station, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, and U.S. Naval Hospital Okinawa.

On an average day, Marines at the Postal Operations Center are accustomed to processing two to three trailer trucks full of mail. However, during the holidays it ramps up to about six trucks a day.

“During the holiday season, mail volume is a lot higher, so there’s going to be times where we are coming in during the weekends and the holidays,” said Gunnery Sgt. Nathaniel Garza, postal operations officer of MCIPAC MCB Camp Butler Postal. “These trailer trucks that hold mail are filled from the back, all the way to the front doors when you open them.”

When 6:00 a.m. calls, Marines load all items onto conveyor belts where they distribute every package and parcel to trucks headed toward different bases and camps. The process is not as simple as moving boxes from one location to another.

“Our only roadblock during mail distribution is damaged packages. There are times when we receive mail bags that have packages that aren’t properly wrapped,” said Garza. “Sometimes these packages contain liquid that will end up tampering with other pieces shipped with that item. We’re talking about potentially 20 other packages being affected due to improper sealing.”

Another responsibility for Marines on the conveyor belts is the quality control of parcels. As soon as a Marine identifies that the package is damaged or has any type of discrepancy, the parcel is pulled off the conveyor belt.

Marines are stationed throughout the entire conveyor belt in case they notice rips or tears on parcels or letters. Any mail with these discrepancies will be rewrapped, repackaged, and replaced on the conveyor belt to reach its destination.

According to Garza, the Postal Operations Center had received up to 3,000 pieces of mail on a single Monday from the weekend build-up.

Not only does the Postal Operations Center receive and distribute mail, but they also send mail outbound. Marines can send anywhere from 800 to 900 pieces of mail outbound daily.

“Marines that have been here and done it more than once are used to that battle rhythm during the holidays, but of course, it’s harder on the new Marines that are checking in right before the holidays,” said Garza. “This is why during this time of year it’s all hands on deck. We’re trying to help unload trucks from the most senior officer down to the most junior Marine because, without everyone, we can struggle.”

The same parcels and letters going to and from their destination at the Postal Operations Center also undergo processing at post offices around the island. Each post office is responsible for delivering mail from the Postal Operations Center over the counter or sorting them into P.O. boxes for each service member who owns a P.O. box at that specific location. These post offices are also the first part of the transportation hub when sending mail out of Okinawa.

According to Koch, the Camp Foster Post Office will receive anywhere from 3,000 pounds to 6,000 pounds of mail on a daily basis during the holiday season. Both the Postal Operations Center and the Camp Foster Post Office have expressed handling packages that contain gifts like necklaces, dollhouses, trampoline sets, treadmills, and weedwackers.

“Our mission here is to ensure that every piece of mail that we receive during the holidays is delivered to customers before Christmas Day,” said Koch. “This is to ensure that families can celebrate the holidays and children can receive their gifts.”

An important factor in meeting this mission is the use of parcel lockers and P.O. boxes. These allow the Camp Foster Post Office to make deliveries during the weekends.

Parcel lockers and P.O. boxes account for 45% of the 5,000 deliveries made since Dec. 12. This number has increased since last year when P.O. boxes and parcel lockers were utilized for 20% of the deliveries.

Koch explained that customers, up to the commanding general, have expressed gratitude for the ability to pick up their packages over the weekends.

“This is one of the largest finance post offices in the Marine Corps,” said Koch. “Junior Marines have to be super adaptable and understand the mission that has to be accomplished. When those two things are achieved that’s how this whole thing comes together.”

Starting in November, postal Marines and MLCs work around the clock to ensure service members receive their gifts for the holidays. This year Camp Foster alone has delivered over 250,000 packages. Service members can rest easy knowing that gifts and packages will be delivered for the families.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

HANOI, Vietnam  –  

The U.S. Department of Defense participated in the Vietnam Defense Expo 2024 at Gia Lam Airport, Hanoi, Vietnam Dec.19-22, 2024.

Spanning over 25,000 square meters, the event brought together more than 200 exhibitors from over 50 countries, drawing more than 150,000 attendees. The expo offered a platform to strengthen military-to-military ties and regional partnerships underscoring the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).

“U.S. military participation in the Vietnam Defense Expo 24 builds stronger relationships with the Vietnam people and the other nations participating in the event,” said Lt. Col. Onnie Retkofsky, Pacific Air Forces A37 Airboss. “When we can bring Airmen and Soldiers and U.S. assets to Vietnam to participate in an event of this magnitude, it highlights the importance of the U.S.-Vietnam partnership and our shared defense interests.”

The CSP ensures an overarching framework for advancing the bilateral relationship between both nations, focusing on a forward-looking vision that spans political, defense, economic, health, and people-to-people ties. The CSP builds on trade and investment ties and takes a future-oriented approach to sustainable growth and cooperation in science, technology, education, and upskilling.

“Our robust participation at the Vietnam International Defense Expo demonstrates our commitment to enhance defense trade cooperation, in line with our Joint Vision Statement signed by Secretary Austin and Minister of National Defense General Giang in September,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Alex Manier, U.S. Embassy Hanoi, Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation. “American presence at this expo highlights the significance of the U.S.- Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, but also complements our diverse efforts with Vietnam including peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, and maritime security. We applaud Vietnam for a successful international expo. Moreover, we are glad to have had the opportunity to join as we kickoff 2025 to commemorate 30 years of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations, together.”

Attendees viewed various U.S. military equipment, including the C-130J Super Hercules, A-10 Thunderbolt II, M1083 Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, M777A2 Howitzer, and M1256A1 Stryker Vehicle.

“Being here in Hanoi and being able to showcase the A-10 at a defense expo is amazing,” said Capt. Cristian Alvarado, 25th Fighter Squadron flight commander. “Just by being on this runway, we are building trust and rapport with Vietnam and our allies and partners around the globe.”

The U.S. is committed to maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, and this event reaffirms the durability of the U.S. commitment to Vietnam.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam  –  

Operation Christmas Drop 2024 concluded Dec. 14, marking 73 years of delivering aid to some of the most isolated communities in the world. Over two weeks, C-130J Super Hercules and C-130H Hercules aircrews from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Canada came together to deliver 220 bundles totaling more than 77,000 pounds to over 58 remote islands in the Federated States of Micronesia and Republic of Palau, benefiting over 42,000 islanders.

Each bundle contained essential goods such as clothing, food, medical supplies, and fishing equipment donated by local organizations and international partners.

While OCD is the longest-running Department of Defense humanitarian aid mission, it also serves as an opportunity for participating aircrews to hone the coordination and execution skills needed to support future contingencies in the region. In completing 29 operational sorties, pilots and loadmasters alike acquired real-world experience in conducting low-cost, low-altitude airdrops to remote island communities.

U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Michael DeMik, the operations superintendent for the 36th Airlift Squadron at Yokota Air Base, Japan, believes the experience gained during OCD 24 helps prepare aircrews for even more real-world operations in the future.

“This year’s OCD mission not only delivered vital supplies to the people of the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of Palau but also gave our crew members a unique opportunity to refine the humanitarian assistance and disaster relief skills they may need to deploy at a moment’s notice,” he said. “Delivering aid across the Indo-Pacific region is just one of the many critical tasks our highly versatile crews excel at.”

For the first time in the 374th Airlift Wing’s long-standing history of supporting OCD, forces deployed to Guam as part of the 374th Air Expeditionary Wing in order to test Agile Combat Employment capabilities in the Indo-Pacific theater. The wing’s shift to the ACE concept comes on the heels of a recent visit made by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin to Yokota Air Base, Japan, during which he emphasized the importance of ACE in addressing future challenges.

U.S. Air Force Col. Brett Cochran, the deputy commander for the 374th AW at Yokota Air Base, Japan, highlighted the significance of this transition and lauded the adaptability of OCD 24 aircrews.

“The advent of the 374th Air Expeditionary Wing is a reflection of our determination to learn how to quickly adapt our teams — both combined and joint — for effective operations within an increasingly diffuse national security environment,” he said. “Our AEW aircrews from five nations leveraged their training to conduct airdrops in a way that we don’t normally do. Within this dynamic operational environment, in an area of responsibility that spanned roughly the size of the U.S., we were able to flawlessly deliver 100% of the bundles.”

As the final bundle of OCD 24 landed, the impact of the mission could not only be seen in the smiles of the islanders, but also in the pride of the aircrews. For many Yokota Airmen who supported OCD, the operation is more than a mission — it’s an annual opportunity to remember why they do what they do.

“This mission is a reminder of the impact and good we can do for the world,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Jordan Paecht, OCD 24 deputy mission commander. “Seeing the islanders wave as we fly away and later watching videos of them celebrating the airdrops — it’s a reminder of how many people we’ve helped. Experiencing it firsthand makes me really proud to be a Herk pilot.”

For U.S. Air Force Capt. Miranda Bapty, OCD 24 mission commander, seeing videos of islanders opening dropped bundles were the gratifying moments that culminated months of preparation and planning.

“Some of the most rewarding moments for me and my team were seeing the videos of the islanders receiving their bundles,” she said. “It’s an amazing experience getting to see the reactions from the air, but hearing their joy in those videos will stay with us the rest of our lives. This was a life-changing experience for us all.”