Category: Indo-Pacific

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

FORT BONIFACIO, MANILA, Philippines  –  

Elements of I and III Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) concluded the latest iteration of the Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum (ACDC) bilateral training with units from across the Philippine Marine Corps, including the Philippine Coastal Defense Regiment on May 31, 2024. The training took place from the diverse landscapes of Paredes in the north to the mountainous jungles of Barira in the southern Philippines.

Since the battles of World War II, the U.S.-Philippine alliance has stood the test of time, reaffirming commitments through agreements such as the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, the Visiting Forces Agreement of 1998, and the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement signed in 2014. These agreements have facilitated the introduction of ACDC, a series of enduring bilateral training opportunities between the U.S. Military and the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The continuum supports the Philippine Marine Corps’ Archipelagic Coastal Defense Concept, announced in 2021 as part of the Philippine Marine Corps’ adoption of a new operating doctrine to strengthen the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ ability to defend its homeland and ensure peace and stability within its waters in accordance with international law.

The continuum includes maritime domain awareness training events, subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE), littoral zone reconnaissance activities (LZR), Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) defense training, integrated command and control of airspace through the Multifunctional Air Operations Center, and cultural and local community engagements to deepen U.S. ties with the Philippine people and celebrate our shared history. These events support the AFP’s ongoing modernization efforts and improve our ability to work together in any environment.

“I’m confident and very positive that this will enhance our interoperability,” said Brig. Gen. Romeo T. Racadio, exercise director for ACDC and Deputy Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps. Racadio elaborated, saying, “Given those other factors which we have enjoyed even before – our camaraderie and strong alliance – in terms of capacity and capability, this [ACDC] will definitely benefit us.”

This series of ACDC training events began following Exercise Balikatan 24, with I MEF (Forward), commanded by Col. Stuart Glenn, assuming command and control of all Marine Forces within the Philippines. The Philippine Marine Corps welcomed the U.S. Marines with the 13th MEU CE to Fort Bonifacio to begin this continuation of training and command integration. The 13th MEU coordinated and oversaw the training of various units, including the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment in Luzon, Marine Wing Support Squadron (MWSS) 371, Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing at Clark Air Base and Fort Bonifacio, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), I MEF Information Group, the 15th MEU in Palawan, and 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division (V 1/7) in Mindanao, alongside their Philippine counterparts through daily meetings, working groups, and collaborative exchanges.

“ACDC is designed to be a bilateral exercise that allows the U.S. Marine Corps, specifically I MEF, and the Philippine Marine Corps to interoperate, as we build capabilities and capacity to defend the coast from both a Philippine and U.S. perspective,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart Glenn, Commander of I MEF (Forward). “It’s person-to-person, unit-to-unit, and at all echelons here with the Philippine Marine Corps to work better together every day.”

Amidst the vibrant jungles of Mindanao, U.S. Marines with V 1/7 and Philippine Marines with the 1st Marine Brigade forged a new level of interoperability through refining infantry tactics, simulated close-quarters battle engagements, marksmanship training, and jungle and mountain warfare training. Philippine Marines passed down centuries of knowledge to U.S. Marines on how to survive and operate in the jungle environment. Between tactical training events, Marines shared traditional “Boodle Fights” with Philippine Marines, coming together for evenings of Filipino food, camaraderie, and friendship. Beyond these shared meals, Marines engaged with the local community by visiting places like Abubacar Elementary School to distribute school supplies, provide meals, and serve the Philippine people alongside the Philippine Marine Corps.

To the northwest, the 15th MEU brought the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry to the training, facilitating combined amphibious operations with the 3rd Marine Brigade. Together, they successfully translated reconnaissance, infantry, and light armored patrolling, and various SMEEs into a combined amphibious landing on Long Beach, Palawan, followed by a simulated Military Operations in Urbanized Terrain exercise in Puerto Princesa with Philippine and U.S. forces. Here, they shared valuable lessons for ship-to-shore operations and improved their combined ability to secure beachheads for future maritime and island defense operations. Also in Palawan, U.S. Marines with 1st ANGLICO engaged in small unmanned aerial reconnaissance system (sUAS) SMEEs with the PMC to reinforce their ability to monitor and survey Philippine coastal waters, improving early warning and detection of malign activities within Philippine territories.

“We really have to attend to the maritime domain requirements,” said Racadio. “To provide a holistic approach in terms of occupant defense of this island country. So, I can just say that the importance of ACDC right now is very timely, and very significantly relevant to the call of the times. So, I’m happy to note that we are conducting ACDC and we should continue this.”

Moving north to Fort Bonifacio and Manila, the 13th MEU CE strengthened the ability to execute combined operations by overseeing distributed Philippine and U.S. military activities alongside PMC headquarters personnel. This coordination furthered the procedural interoperability between commands and improved our combined ability to communicate, decide, and direct actions within the Philippines for a cohesive and synchronized approach to employing forces and capabilities. Through continuous intelligence, radio and communications systems SMEEs, and a senior enlisted symposium, the 13th MEU CE joined with their Philippine Marine counterparts to foster stronger relationships for increasingly dynamic military operations. Concurrently, U.S. Marines with MWSS-371, Philippine Marines, and Philippine National Police Force officers conducted EOD and CBRN SMEEs through collaborative classroom instruction and practical applications on the football fields of Fort Bonifacio.

“It [ACDC] allows us to bring Marines here, allows us to partner, shoulder-to-shoulder, as we like to say,” said Glenn. “The goal of the Philippines and the goal of the United States is a free and prosperous INDOPACOM region, and that’s what we’re here to support.”

Near the active runways of Clark Air Base in Luzon, U.S. Marines with MWSS-371 and Philippine Marines with the Combat Engineer Battalion utilized their constructive and destructive engineering capabilities in a simulated battlespace over challenging terrain. Classroom instruction and practical application of counter mobility, survivability, general engineering, and engineer reconnaissance enhanced the combined U.S.-Philippine ability to move on the battlespace, protect forces, and create friction or disorder for potential adversary forces in potential conflicts.

Running concurrently in Paredes, Subic Bay, and Naval Base Camilo Osias, U.S. Marines with the 3rd MLR and Philippine Marines with the 4th Marine Brigade and Battalion Landing Team 10 joined together for the Littoral Zone Reconnaissance Cobra exercise, which included continuous infantry, reconnaissance, cultural, and community engagement events. LZR Cobra is a bilateral command post-exercise between the U.S. and Philippine Marines aimed at utilizing sUAS capabilities to enhance interoperability, refine tactics, techniques, and procedures, and support combined and joint force maritime domain awareness.

Continuous training through exercises like Balikatan, Marine Aviation Support Activity, SAMA SAMA, Kamandag, and now ACDC, ensures that U.S. and Philippine forces work and operate more frequently and closely than ever before. This consistent training allows both forces to refine and sustain the progress made in previous iterations. With the Philippine government’s and people’s enduring permission and support, the U.S. Marine Corps aims to strengthen our longstanding alliance and partnership with our counterparts, advancing our shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

​Racadio concluded his remarks, stating, “I am confident that this [ACDC] will bring us many opportunities, such that we will be winners, we will be able to do our thing and contribute to our shared goals in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SEOUL, South Korea  –  

Lt. Gen. William Jurney, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and Lt. Gen. Kim Kye-Hwan, Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps, conclude the 10th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium during the closing ceremony in Seoul, South Korea, June 5, 2024.

Allied and partnered amphibious and maritime leaders, invested in upholding a rules-based international order as well as a free and open Indo-Pacific, attended this year’s symposium and participated in key leader engagements, panel discussions, and briefs throughout the week.

This year marked the second time the Republic of Korea Marine Corps has co-hosted the event. The increased variety of co-hosts demonstrates the depth of commitment among our Allies and partners to build a more capable combined force across the Indo-Pacific.

In response to the rapidly evolving Indo-Pacific security environment, participants emphasized the importance of postured and ready forces. Kim noted that the symposium continues to serve as a forum for fruitful discussion and relationship development to further increase and diversify the role of amphibious and maritime forces.

In concluding PALS 24, Kim reflected, “We exchanged practical and broad views on ways to promote military cooperation and mutual interests in each country, and that these efforts will contribute to the expansion of the role of landing forces and to the Indo-Pacific region and further to international peace and prosperity.”

Some key topics discussed throughout the symposium included amphibious force contributions across a range of military operations, challenges with operating in a maritime environment, and modernization efforts throughout the combined force. In addition to these discussion topics, delegations received a brief on technology-based solutions for maritime domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

This year, the co-hosts captured the spirit of the symposium by establishing a new PALS motto, “Stronger together.” It serves as a reminder that regular collaboration among Allies and partners is the foundation of our ability to respond to crises, compete in uncertainty, and win in conflict.

“The Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium forges a path to increase capabilities, flexibility, readiness, and our continuous quest for collective excellence,” Jurney commented. “I believe we are guardians of a free and open Indo-Pacific, and sustained excellence at the individual, tactical, operational, and strategic levels are not only what our citizens demand and expect of us, but also what they deserve.”

Established by MARFORPAC in 2015, PALS continues to serve as the premier annual gathering of regional amphibious and maritime force leaders across the Indo-Pacific. The relationships strengthened at PALS are the cornerstone of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations. This year’s symposium hosted 31 delegations from 24 countries. MARFORPAC 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.

Media queries should be sent to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Communication Strategy and Operations, marforpaccommstrat@usmc.mil. The PALS feature page on DVIDS will provide imagery daily for use and distribution: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/PALS.

​PALS 24 queries can be directed via e-mail to Capt. Miraquel Ridenhour, MARFORPAC COMMSTRAT, miraquel.ridenhour@usmc.mil and 1st Lt. Lauri Schleicher, MARFORPAC COMMSTRAT, lauri.schleicher@usmc.mil. Additional media queries can be directed via e-mail to marforpaccommstrat@usmc.mil.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

LAOAG CITY, Philippines  –  

The U.S. Army Pacific’s 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (1MDTF) will conduct training activities at Laoag International Airport in June, which may be visible to the surrounding community.

The 1MDTF plans to launch high-altitude balloons from the airport toward the ocean from June 7-16. The high-altitude balloons include weather monitoring capabilities, which play a vital role in responding to natural disasters and crises, providing critical information to enhance maritime domain awareness and support timely decision-making.

U.S. Army Pacific, in close collaboration with the Philippine Army, has meticulously planned this training. The 1MDTF collaborates daily with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and the balloon launches improve weather models used by both the U.S. Department of Defense and PAGASA.

The use of high-altitude balloons during Salaknib adheres to international law, Philippine domestic law, and standards governing navigational freedoms and safety of flight, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols. The command is actively working closely with pertinent authorities and air traffic control agencies to ensure the safety of people on the ground and nearby civil and military aircraft.​

​Salaknib is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PEARL HARBOR  –  

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command joint forces, along with allied and partner forces, are scheduled to participate in exercise Valiant Shield (VS) 2024, June 7-18, on Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, and at sea around the Mariana Island Range Complex.

VS24 is a multinational, biennial field training exercise focused on integrating interoperability in a multi-domain environment. The exercise builds real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces by detecting, locating, tracking, and engaging units at sea, in the air, in space, on land, and in cyberspace in response to a range of mission areas.

Exercises such as VS24 allow forces across the Indo-Pacific the opportunity to integrate Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, and partner nations to train in precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint and Combined Force. With the involvement of U.S. Space Command and U.S. Transportation Command, VS24 is expanding the multi-domain cross-Combatant Command collaboration that is incumbent on any large-scale exercise or operation.

“Valiant Shield provides us a unique opportunity to operate and engage with our allies and partners and to demonstrate our shared commitment to global security and stability,” said Adm. Stephen T. Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. “It takes all of us to maintain a safe, stable, and secure Indo-Pacific, as we flex our joint and combined capabilities to advance multi[1]domain operations.”

The exercise prepares the Joint and Combined Force to rapidly respond to crises and contingencies across a spectrum of operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to armed conflict.

VS24 assists U.S., allied and partner forces in developing regional and global power projection capabilities. Integrated training allows the participating countries to refine the skills required to succeed in the defense of their shared interests in the region.

This is the 10th Valiant Shield exercise, which began in 2006.

​Media queries regarding VS24 prior to exercise commencement should be directed to the U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs Office at (808) 471-3769 or cpf_newsdesk@navy.mil. Contact information for the VS Combined, Joint Information Bureau will be made available prior to the beginning of the exercise. Imagery and stories regarding Valiant Shield can be found here: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/ValiantShield.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Today, the United States endorsed a Statement of Principles for Indo-Pacific Defense Industrial Base Collaboration following extensive consultations with U.S. allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region and around the world, including the recent Maluhia Talks at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii.

“Together with our friends in the region, we’re breaking down national barriers and better integrating our defense industries,” Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said at the 2024 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. “We’re also working together to fortify the shared capacity of the defense industrial bases of our allies and partners. That’s why so many countries—including the United States—are endorsing a Statement of Principles today to strengthen the resilience of the region’s defense industrial bases,” which will benefit security and stability in this region and beyond.

Statement of Principles for Indo-Pacific Defense Industrial Base Collaboration

Recent global challenges and the current security environment have highlighted the importance of defense industrial resilience. In adopting this statement of principles, the participants endeavor to pursue collaborative actions, bilaterally and multilaterally and in accordance with national policies, to enhance our shared defense industrial resilience.

The following principles will guide these collaborative actions among likeminded participants:

• Ensuring shared defense industrial resilience is vital to the continued regional security, economic security, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific.
• Strengthening defense industrial resilience requires collaborative action to expand industrial base capability, capacity, and workforce; increase supply chain resilience; promote defense innovation; improve information sharing; encourage standardization; reduce barriers to cooperation; and otherwise mitigate potential vulnerabilities and facilitate collaboration.
• Optimizing collaboration requires accounting for the needs, capabilities, and comparative advantages of participants’ industrial bases consistent with free and fair market competition and protection of intellectual property.
• Conducting collaborative action will not be limited to governments, but also include industry, capital providers, academia, and other forms of partnership.
• Fostering further dialogue is needed to promote collaboration and increase shared defense industrial resilience.

  Background

  Today’s announcement follows the January 2024 release of the Department of Defense’s National Defense Industrial Strategy (NDIS), which identified engagement with allies and partners to expand global defense production as a key line of effort toward advancing resilient supply chains. The NDIS states that the Department “must work with allies and partners through both multilateral and bilateral agreements to boost defense production, innovation, and overall capability.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia  –  

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III today traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where he met with Prime Minister Hun Manet; Defense Minister Tea Seiha; and Hun Sen, president of the senate.

In their meetings, the officials discussed opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-Cambodia defense relationship in support of regional peace and security, including through the resumption of military training exchanges on disaster assistance and United Nations peacekeeping, training and exchanges on unexploded ordnance clearance, and Cambodia’s access to U.S. professional military education programs, said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, who is traveling with the secretary.

They also welcomed continued discussions about these issues between their respective defense establishments, and Austin engaged with Cambodian alumni of U.S. professional military education programs, as well as cadets from the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy visiting Cambodia for educational opportunities, Ryder said.

“The secretary often talks about the importance of meeting face-to-face, especially in this part of the world. That was true again today as he engaged Cambodia’s new leadership. And these were candid, concrete discussions,” said a senior defense official traveling with the secretary.

“This kind of engagement matters for the future. Cambodia is a young country in a young region. Our defense relationship has a lot of potential and room for growth. That’s why it’s so important to stay engaged here,” the official said.

“We’re encouraged about the possibility of resuming our military training and exchanges, including on humanitarian assistance, de-mining and unexploded ordnance clearance, and U.N. peacekeeping. There’s a lot our two countries can do together,” the official said.

Austin’s second trip to Cambodia follows his November 2022 trip here for the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III traveled to Phnom Penh, Cambodia today, where he met separately with Prime Minister Hun Manet, Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha, and President of the Senate Hun Sen. He also engaged with Cambodian alumni of U.S. professional military education (PME) programs, as well as cadets from the U.S. Military Academy and the U.S. Air Force Academy visiting Cambodia for educational opportunities.

In their meetings, the officials discussed opportunities to strengthen the U.S.-Cambodia bilateral defense relationship in support of regional peace and security, including through the resumption of military training exchanges on disaster assistance and United Nations Peacekeeping, training and exchanges on de-mining and unexploded ordnance clearance, and Cambodia’s access to U.S. PME programs. They also welcomed continued discussions about these issues between their respective defense establishments.

​Secretary Austin’s second trip to Cambodia as Secretary of Defense follows his November 2022 trip there for the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM)-Plus in Siem Reap.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SINGAPORE — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Singapore from May 30 – June 4, 2024, where he met with senior military and government officials and participated in the Shangri-La Dialogue.  

Hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the annual Shangri-La Dialogue is a defense summit focused on the Asia-Pacific region where ministers and defense leaders from across the globe gather to discuss pressing security challenges and engage in bilateral talks.  

Paparo spoke on Shangri-La panel, “Deterrence and Reassurance in the Asia-Pacific,” where he highlighted strategic competition between major powers, including military capabilities, intentions and potential flashpoints. 

“Deterrance is our highest duty,” Paparo proclaimed. “It’s a result of capability and will, and the potential adversary’s awareness of the same. It relies on the potential enemies believing the risk of military defeat, but also economic loss, diplomatic isolation, or a combination of all of the above.” 

Paparo continued to say, “assurance focuses on building trust and confidence…it intends to reassure that allies and partners will come to their aid in the case of aggression, fostering stability within alliances and partnerships, and deterring potential aggressors.” 

During the Shangri-La Dialogue, Paparo hosted and participated in bilateral and multilateral meetings to underscore commitments to multinational engagements that showcase capabilities and increase understanding of regional challenges; efforts to enhance coordination and information-sharing arrangements; and a deepening cooperation across the Asia-Pacific region to confront common threats and protect shared interests. Paparo met with ministers of defense and senior military leaders from Australia, Canada, France, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and the United Kingdom. 

While in Singapore, Paparo and INDOPACOM’s senior enlisted leader Fleet Master Chief David Isom, engaged with leadership and personnel assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 and Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific/Task Force 73. They provided perspectives from the Shangri-La Dialogue and discussed commitments and collaborations with our regional allies. 

COMLOG WESTPAC supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, promoting freedom of navigation through patrols in the South China Sea and contributing resources to humanitarian assistance and disaster response. DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore and builds partnerships through training exercises and military-to-military engagements. 

As one of the U.S.’ strongest bilateral partners in Southeast Asia, Singapore plays an indispensable role in regional security, and the two countries continue to expand their enduring relationship based on mutual interests, robust security and defense cooperation and enduring people-to-people ties. 

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  –  

The most senior military officers with U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), the Republic of Korea Army, and the Australian Army spoke optimistically about the potential for broader and more frequent cooperation between their forces in a panel May 15, 2024, during the Land Forces in the Pacific (LANPAC) conference hosted here by the Association of the U.S. Army.

The four general officers spoke about partnership, cooperation, understanding, and deterrence to an international audience of military leaders from across the Indo-Pacific, in this 11th and so far, largest iteration of this annual conference.

“The greatest counterweight that we have to any adversary actions is the network of allies and partners,” said Gen. Charles A. Flynn, commanding general, USARPAC, as he opened the panel. He highlighted the dramatic increases in scale, realism, and relevance of the U.S. Army’s training with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific. Flynn also mentioned the increase in multi-lateral exercises, noting that several exercises continue to grow, some with up to 30,000 soldiers from over a dozen countries participating.

One of the central ideas discussed in the panel was that the armies must strengthen the ‘strategic landpower network,’ a label for the relationships between ally and partner armies which train together toward collective security in the Indo-Pacific region. The network regularly practices its functions and builds its ties through Operation Pathways, the U.S. Army’s exercise program that brings armies together in bilateral and multilateral training across the region, with logistics linkage between exercises and countries.

“Our job is to develop, demonstrate, rehearse the collective capability that gives expression to the collective will in our region,” said Lt. Gen. Simon Stuart, Chief of Army, Australia. “We’re doing it better, faster every day.”

Stuart highlighted how Talisman Sabre, originally a bilateral U.S.-Australia military exercise, has grown to include more countries, more troops, and more integration in the last few years. It’s now one of the largest exercises in the region.

The other idea central to the panel’s discussion was that ‘positioning’ is essential. Stuart said that positioning allows for persistent interaction with allies and partners, which in turn develops relationships, trust, and assurance. It supports integrated deterrence and confers additional risk on a would-be aggressor.

The panel was noteworthy for the inclusion of Japan’s and South Korea’s most senior army officers, seated side by side, and talking about increasing cooperation. With the caveat that further increasing their partnership would require national policy-level reviews, each expressed interest in working closer together.

“We’re making plans towards the future with a trilateral concept with Japan and the U.S. and how we’re going to make this training beneficial for the future,” said Gen. Park An Su, Chief of Staff, Republic of Korea Army through an interpreter. “This trilateral collaboration is only at the starting point, but I believe we can see the expanded version sometime in the future.”

Gen. Yasunori Morishita, Chief of Staff, JGSDF said through his interpreter that the JGSDF benefits from training with the U.S. and others in ally and partner training areas such as the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC). “As Gen. Park said, it’s important for us to work together, human-to-human, to develop a shared understanding, from the senior level to the field level, to train together and develop the credibility of our collective will.”

Gen. Park and Gen. Morishita both said their countries are interested in further collaboration on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, as well as other trans-national, non-military cooperation.

Both located geographically close to China, Japan and South Korea are each long-time allies of the United States. The three countries announced a trilateral military cooperation relationship following top-level talks last summer at Camp David, Maryland. President Joe Biden, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio met to discuss the details and then formally announced the agreement Aug. 18, 2023. This meeting paved the way for multilateral military exercises and facilitated information sharing about North Korea’s ballistic missile and cyber activities.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III called the meeting historic. “Cooperation among our three countries delivers security and prosperity for our people, the Indo-Pacific region and the world,” he said. “We are working more closely than ever with the Republic of Korea and Japan in support of a common vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

Gen. Flynn spoke about ‘projecting our alliances’ into the region, referring to Operation Pathways, multi-lateral collaboration at JPMRC, and the development of the strategic landpower network.

Gen. Morishita said Japan’s exercise Yama Sakura has also expanded and that the JGSDF seeks engagement with more partners in that exercise, adding that “It’s important to show the world our cooperation.”

Gen. Park expressed the same commitment to demonstrating cooperation and partnership, by practicing the defense of freedom through military exercises. He added details about Republic of Korea Army training at the U.S. National Training Center, and a U.S. Marines unit from Okinawa training in the mountains of the Korea Combat Training Center and then repeated that he looks forward to more multi-lateral training with the JGSDF.

Gen. Stuart said that building the strategic landpower network is projecting our alliances and that working with allies and partners enhances our options. He emphasized that the training creates persistent connections that are important in terms of campaigning to deter.

​The four general officers ended the panel discussion reiterating their intent to continue working together to expand security cooperation and partnership.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SEOUL, South Korea  –  

The commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific and the Commandant of the Republic of Korea Marine Corps will co-host the 10th annual Pacific Amphibious Leaders Symposium (PALS 24) in Seoul, June 3-5, 2024.

PALS 24 brings together senior Marine Corps, naval infantry, and military leaders from Allied and partner nations in the Indo-Pacific. The event is an important opportunity to enhance personal and professional relationships amongst the region’s amphibious and maritime community through face-to-face engagements.

This year, the co-hosts have captured the spirit of the event by establishing its new motto, “Stronger together.” It serves as a reminder that regular collaboration among Allies and partners is the foundation of our bilateral and multilateral relationships and ability to respond to crisis and uncertainty.

“We use events like PALS to maintain and develop relationships so if any nation in the Indo-Pacific is in trouble, we already know the person on the other end of the phone,” said Lt. Gen. William Jurney, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. “As combined force leaders, we use PALS to think and talk through complex issues that may arise in the region because no one nation stands alone. Our forces are stronger together.”

PALS provides a forum for amphibious leaders to exchange ideas and share best practices, improving our collective ability to work together across a range of missions and scenarios. The experience and expertise assembled at PALS facilitates collaboration among Allies and partners from around the world in support of a free-and-open Indo-Pacific region.

The PALS 24 schedule consists of key leader engagements, panel discussions, and briefs to engage key leaders on critical topics such as amphibious force contributions across a range of military operations, challenges with operating in a maritime environment, and modernization efforts throughout the combined force. In addition to these discussion topics, delegations will present a brief on technology-based solutions for maritime domain awareness and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

In response to increasing transnational and non-military threats, Lt. Gen. Kim emphasized the importance of security cooperation between nations in the Indo-Pacific. He looks forward to having this symposium be a space for fruitful discussion on specific ways we can increase and diversify the role of amphibious forces.

Since the symposium’s development, several regularly attending nation forces have co-hosted, including the Japan Ground Self Defense Force, the Republic of Indonesia Marine Corps, and, for the second time, the Republic of Korea Marine Corps. The increased variety of co-hosts demonstrates the depth of commitment among our Allies and partners to build a more capable combined force across the Indo-Pacific.

Established by MARFORPAC in 2015, PALS continues to bring together a growing list of Allied and partner nations. This year, 31 delegations from 24 countries are scheduled to attend including: Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, France, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

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.

Media queries should be sent to U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, Communication Strategy and Operations, marforpaccommstrat@usmc.mil

​The PALS feature page on DVIDS will provide imagery daily for use and distribution: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/PALS.