Category: Indo-Pacific

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Manila, PHILIPPINES — Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited the Philippines March 10-14, 2024, where he met with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., along with other senior government and military leaders.  

He also met with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., National Security Adviser Eduardo Año, and engaged with business leaders as part of the U.S. Presidential Trade and Investment Mission to the Philippines with U.S. Secretary of the United States Department of Commerce Gina Raimondo. The first mission of its kind, the PTIM is aimed at enhancing U.S. companies’ investment in the Philippine innovation economy, to include clean energy, food security and critical minerals, and follows the introduction of new arrangements and initiatives to expand on the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippine relations.   

Aquilino and military leaders also discussed opportunities for increased multilateral cooperation, maritime security initiatives, and the upcoming exercise Balikatan. The largest annual U.S.-Philippines bilateral exercise, the 39th iteration of Balikatan will feature service members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S., along with other regional partner nations, training shoulder-to-shoulder to build the strength and readiness of the joint force.  

As the oldest ally in the region, the U.S.-Philippines Alliance has advanced peace, prosperity and security since 1951. Aquilino’s visit highlights efforts to modernize the alliance, and deepen cooperation to meet emerging challenges, improve interoperability and integrate joint planning efforts as part of the United States’ ironclad commitment to the defense of the Philippines.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

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

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a call today with Japan’s Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru.

The two officials welcomed ongoing and close coordination between the United States and Japan on the resumption of flight operations of V-22 Osprey aircraft by U.S. Forces Japan and the Japan Self-Defense Forces. Secretary Austin underscored that the safety of U.S. servicemembers and Japanese communities remains a top priority for the Department as V-22 aircraft in Japan prepare to return to flight.

The two officials also reaffirmed their commitment to further defense cooperation between the United States and Japan at a time of historic progress toward shared Alliance priorities for a free and open Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Austin expressed his hope that the two officials would have an opportunity to meet again in person soon.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP WITHYCOMBE, Oregon  –  

More than 450 security cooperation stakeholders and international partners gathered at Camp Withycombe, OR, for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s (USINDOPACOM) combined Capabilities Development Working Group (CDWG) and Security Cooperation Education and Training Working Group (SCETWG) from Feb. 26-March 1, 2024.

Hosted by the USINDOPACOM J5 Strategic Policy and Planning Directorate, CDWG aims to identify and develop specific partner nation military capabilities, while SCETWG focuses on education and training opportunities for partner nation military members. The two events work in concert to further security cooperation initiatives in the region through numerous plenary and small group working sessions.

Representatives from Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, returned to participate in CDWG. Delegations from Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) attended this year’s event for the first time, to further integrate and synchronize security cooperation efforts. The U.S. team hosted Bilateral Regional Capacity Building forums with both Japanese and ROK delegations to collaborate on current and future security cooperation initiatives and map out approaches to security cooperation in the region.

USINDOPACOM’s Deputy Director for Policy, British Commodore Jonathan Lett, chaired bilateral sessions and a trilateral luncheon with Japan and ROK to foster informal dialogue.

“The United States cannot and should not act alone in ensuring regional security,” Lett said. “For many years, our partners have been the missing piece in the puzzle in security cooperation planning. Your attendance at this event is a testament of what truly is a multinational effort to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

As the largest milestone event of its kind, this year’s CDWG gave in-country security cooperation officers the opportunity to interface directly with representatives from across the enterprise to include Department of Defense (DoD) organizations, component commands, and other U.S. government agencies, all with a role in taking a security cooperation initiative from ideation to implementation.

“Your untiring efforts over the past two years have advanced our goals to operationalize security cooperation and take a more proactive approach to achieving top U.S. defense and security objectives in the priority theater,” said David Jensen, USINDOPACOM’s Security Cooperation Division Chief, in his closing remarks.

The directorate will host its next event in the security cooperation planning cycle, Capability Development and Exercises (CAPEX) Workshop, in fall 2024.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

USS Annapolis (SSN 760) arrived in HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia Sunday.

This marks the second visit by a U.S. fast-attack submarine to HMAS Stirling since the announcement of the AUKUS [Australia, United Kingdom, United States] Optimal Pathway in March 2023. The Optimal Pathway is designed to deliver a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarine capability to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

“Historically, we’ve had allied SSNs visit Australian ports for many decades totaling more than 1,800 days,” said Rear Adm. Matt Buckley, Head of Nuclear Submarine Capability at the Australian Submarine Agency. “Starting with USS North Carolina (SSN 777) last August, these visits are taking on a more important meaning for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Submarine Agency as we build the infrastructure, knowledge, and stewardship needed to establish SRF-West in 2027.”

Increasing the number of SSN visits to Australia and the establishment of SRF-W comprise the first of three Optimal Pathway phases. As early as 2027, the United States will begin rotational presence in the Western Australia facility as a way to grow the RAN’s ability to operate and maintain a fleet of SSNs. Ultimately, there will be up to four U.S. Virginia-class submarines and one United Kingdom Astute-class submarine at HMAS Stirling.

The second phase of the Optimal Pathway begins in the early 2030s, with the United States selling Australia three Virginia-class submarines, with the potential to sell up to two more if needed. Phase Three sees the combination of a base British submarine design and advanced United States technology to deliver SSN-AUKUS, the future attack submarine for both Australia and the United Kingdom. Australia plans to deliver the first Australian-built SSN-AUKUS in the early 2040s.

“Having our submarines rotating through HMAS Stirling is critical to building Australia’s sovereign capability to safely and competently operate SSNs,” shared Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, the U.S. AUKUS Pillar One Program Manager. “Each visit will build upon the previous one and allow the RAN team to grow its capabilities. This visit will see Australians take a more active role in the execution of a voyage repair period.”

“For decades, the U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Navy have trained and operated together,” said Rear Adm. Chris Cavanaugh, Commander, Submarine Group (CSG) 7. “AUKUS is a natural extension of our already close relationship, building unprecedented capability and interoperability that will pay dividends for generations.”

“It’s an honor to be here and the team looks forward to working with the Australians and furthering our relationship,” said Cmdr. James Tuthill, Commanding Officer, USS Annapolis. “The enthusiasm and professionalism of the HMAS Stirling team is apparent, and we look forward to making this visit as productive as possible.”

Initially announced in September 2021, the AUKUS trilateral agreement is a strategic endeavor aimed at strengthening the security and defense capabilities of the three nations that also promotes stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia will acquire conventionally armed SSNs for the Royal Australian Navy under Pillar I of AUKUS via the Optimal Pathway announced by the heads of the three partner nations on March 13, 2023.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JINHAE, South Korea  –  

Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade (2-2 CAB) conducted deck landings with U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters on prepositioning ship USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), March 7.

Six aircraft crews from Assault Helicopter Battalion 2-2 CAB practiced single-spot deck landings aboard USNS Dahl, about five miles off the coast of Jinhae, South Korea, to certify air crew members and pilots in landing on a ship.

The DLQs were conducted through coordination between Military Sealift Command Office-Korea, USNS Dahl, and crews from Assault Helicopter Battalion 2-2 CAB to qualify or reset their crew on single-spot DLQ currency.

The training environment was also an opportunity for Army aircrews to ensure maritime air movement capability and readiness.

As a secondary training objective, MSCO-K and USNS Dahl aimed to further develop interoperability and joint relationship with 2-2 CAB during ship flight operations.

This training event for the Army also proved to be equally valuable to the crew of USNS Dahl. While mariners’ conduct regular training on ship flight operations, the training environment is usually limited to classroom or computer simulations, which can sometimes not accurately reflect the challenges the crew may face at sea.

In preparation for the event, Dahl conducted a complete inventory and inspection of all flight deck equipment that included testing of all flight deck systems. In addition, Dahl conducted simulated flight deck operations, helicopter crash and fire drills in the days before the operation.

“All flight deck operations are inherently dangerous but DLQs add the wild card of potentially novice crews who are not familiar with either the vessel or ship flight operations in general,” said contracted mariner Capt. Deatra Thompson, ship’s master, USNS Dahl. “Additionally, unlike many USNS vessels, Dahl does not conduct flight operations often and many of the crew, while having received training and simulated operation, some have never been involved in real-life flight operations.”

To reduce danger, Dahl requested that the aircraft’s crew chief depart during the train-the-trainer initial landings to provide hands-on instruction to the Dahl Chock and Chain teams to ensure they were familiar with the methods and placement of the fastening equipment.

The event was executed safely and without incident and resulted in six single-spot deck-landing qualified crews across 2-2 CAB.

“This event demonstrated effective joint coordination and was a great chance for MSCO-K and USNS Dahl to support a valuable training opportunity for our U.S. Army partners stationed here in Korea,” said Cmdr. Patrick J. Moore, commanding officer, MSCO-K. “Overall, there was great collaboration between MSCO-K, USNS Dahl, and the soldiers of 2-2 CAB.”

Maritime prepositioning ship USNS Dahl is a Watson-class large, medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ship and is part of Commander, Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron 3.

Commander, Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron 3 supports warfighters from all the U.S. Armed Forces by prepositioning Military Sealift Command ships throughout the Indo-Pacific Region, ensuring Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps vehicles, heavy equipment, personnel and supplies are strategically positioned to support the full range of military operations.

Commander, Military Sealift Command Far East ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific Region, are manned, trained and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore.

Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations, with a workforce that includes approximately 6,000 Civil Service Mariners and 1,100 contract mariners, supported by 1,500 shore staff and 1,400 active duty and Reserve military personnel.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SANTA RITA, Guam  –  

On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) effectively evacuated a Coast Guard member from the USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10), 100 nautical miles south of Guam, in a joint effort.

“We’re incredibly grateful to HSC-25 for jumping in quickly and skillfully to help evacuate our crew member. Their professionalism and dedication made all the difference in ensuring a successful outcome. This operation truly showcases how our service members look out for each other’s safety and well-being at sea,” said Capt. Keith Ropella, commanding officer of Polar Star.

The incident began on March 5, 2024, when the Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam received a communication from the Polar Star crew regarding a 43-year-old man aboard experiencing severe abdominal pain. Recognizing the need for urgent medical attention beyond the capabilities available on ship, watchstanders directed the cutter to reroute closer to Guam and initiate a medical evacuation.

In a swift response, JRSC Guam assumed mission coordination duties. Working with the cutter command, the medical officer aboard Polar Star, and the HSC-25 duty flight surgeon (DFS), the watchstanders seamlessly facilitated communications between all involved parties, ensuring a smooth transition of responsibilities and effective mission planning.

On the evening of March 6, an HSC-25 aircrew rendezvoused with the Polar Star, successfully hoisted the ill member from the cutter, and airlifted him safely to Guam. The crew transferred him to awaiting personnel at U.S. Naval Hospital Guam in stable condition.

“This operation stands as a testament to the seamless collaboration and unparalleled skill of our U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy personnel. The swift and efficient evacuation of our crew members underlines our unwavering commitment to the health and safety of every service member. I am deeply proud of our teams and thankful for HSC-25’s immediate response and expertise, which were critical in ensuring the well-being of our personnel at sea,” said Capt. Nick Simmons, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam.

Homeported in Seattle, the Polar Star is the United States’ only heavy icebreaker. The cutter is returning from their annual mission to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, for Operation Deep Freeze, breaking miles of ice up to 21 feet thick to allow for the resupply of the base.

This is HSC-25s fourth medical mission since early February. Over the weekend, they responded to a short-fuse request for a non-maritime medical transfer from Saipan to Guam, facilitating essential medical care for a community member.

-USCG-

About U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam

The U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam team focuses on maritime safety, security, and stewardship in Oceania. With a primary presence in Guam and Saipan and around 300 members across Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the team maintains a strong U.S. presence in the Micronesia sub-region and adjacent areas, closely tied to local communities.

About U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25

U.S. Navy Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25, known as the “Island Knights,” is a critical MH-60S Knighthawk expeditionary helicopter squadron based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. As the island’s sole permanently stationed naval aviation and rotary wing asset, HSC-25 is vital in supporting the U.S. 7th Fleet. The squadron provides combat-ready crews and aircraft for various operations, including combat logistics, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

ROCKINGHAM, Australia  –  

USS Annapolis (SSN 760) arrived in HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia Sunday.

This marks the second visit by a U.S. fast-attack submarine to HMAS Stirling since the announcement of the AUKUS [Australia, United Kingdom, United States] Optimal Pathway in March 2023. The Optimal Pathway is designed to deliver a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarine capability to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

“Historically, we’ve had allied SSNs visit Australian ports for many decades totaling more than 1,800 days,” said Rear Adm. Matt Buckley, Head of Nuclear Submarine Capability at the Australian Submarine Agency. “Starting with USS North Carolina (SSN 777) last August, these visits are taking on a more important meaning for the Royal Australian Navy and the Australian Submarine Agency as we build the infrastructure, knowledge, and stewardship needed to establish SRF-West in 2027.”

Increasing the number of SSN visits to Australia and the establishment of SRF-W comprise the first of three Optimal Pathway phases. As early as 2027, the United States will begin rotational presence in the Western Australia facility as a way to grow the RAN’s ability to operate and maintain a fleet of SSNs. Ultimately, there will be up to four U.S. Virginia-class submarines and one United Kingdom Astute-class submarine at HMAS Stirling.

The second phase of the Optimal Pathway begins in the early 2030s, with the United States selling Australia three Virginia-class submarines, with the potential to sell up to two more if needed. Phase Three sees the combination of a base British submarine design and advanced United States technology to deliver SSN-AUKUS, the future attack submarine for both Australia and the United Kingdom. Australia plans to deliver the first Australian-built SSN-AUKUS in the early 2040s.

“Having our submarines rotating through HMAS Stirling is critical to building Australia’s sovereign capability to safely and competently operate SSNs,” shared Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, the U.S. AUKUS Pillar One Program Manager. “Each visit will build upon the previous one and allow the RAN team to grow its capabilities. This visit will see Australians take a more active role in the execution of a voyage repair period.”

“For decades, the U.S. Navy, Royal Australian Navy, and Royal Navy have trained and operated together,” said Rear Adm. Chris Cavanaugh, Commander, Submarine Group (CSG) 7. “AUKUS is a natural extension of our already close relationship, building unprecedented capability and interoperability that will pay dividends for generations.”

“It’s an honor to be here and the team looks forward to working with the Australians and furthering our relationship,” said Cmdr. James Tuthill, Commanding Officer, USS Annapolis. “The enthusiasm and professionalism of the HMAS Stirling team is apparent, and we look forward to making this visit as productive as possible.”

Initially announced in September 2021, the AUKUS trilateral agreement is a strategic endeavor aimed at strengthening the security and defense capabilities of the three nations that also promotes stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region. Australia will acquire conventionally armed SSNs for the Royal Australian Navy under Pillar I of AUKUS via the Optimal Pathway announced by the heads of the three partner nations on March 13, 2023.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

RAYONG PROVINCE, THAILAND  –  

This year’s Cobra Gold, the paramount joint multinational military exercise in Southeast Asia, successfully concluded after two weeks of intensive training, humanitarian efforts and cultural exchanges.

This 43rd iteration of Cobra Gold, co-hosted by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, brought together over 9,000 military personnel, including 4,500 from the U.S. Army, Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, marking a significant milestone in the exercise’s storied history.

From February 27 to March 8, participants engaged in various activities to enhance interoperability and foster strong international partnerships. This year’s exercise focused on combined joint all-domain training, humanitarian assistance, disaster response operations and cultural and civic action programs benefiting local Thai communities.

During the opening ceremony, Lt. Gen. Xavier Brunson, commanding general for I Corps, highlighted the significance of Cobra Gold, stating, “This exercise is a decades-long example of the enduring partnerships that bind our nations together. As we train and learn from one another, we symbolize the strength that comes from unity, shared goals, and commitment to regional stability.”

Cobra Gold 2024 witnessed unprecedented participation, with 30 nations either observing or actively engaging in various key training events. Seven countries, including Thailand, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea, fully participated in training activities ranging from combined live fire drills and airborne operations to an amphibious exercise. This collaborative effort aimed at enhancing human and procedural interoperability across multiple domains, including cyber and space, drew participation from more than 20 other nations in various capacities.

“Cobra Gold is a positive example of multilateral cooperation, as is demonstrated by the continued increase in participating nations; everyone walks away from this better and able to solve problems together,” said Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, deputy commanding general for I Corps.

The three main components of the exercise consisted of a command and control exercise, humanitarian civic assistance projects, and several field training events, each designed to test and strengthen the individual and collective capabilities of the participating forces.

The multinational command post-exercise simulated a large-scale combat operation, challenging international leaders and staff to coordinate effectively in a complex, multilingual and procedurally diverse environment.

Field training events, overseen by a joint task force, included a noncombatant evacuation operation, an amphibious exercise, a strategic airborne operation and a combined live fire exercise.

These events were complemented by cultural exchanges and humanitarian projects, such as the Engineer Civic Assistance Program, which saw service members from the U.S, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia and India contribute to improving several schools in central and southeastern Thailand.

During his remarks at the opening ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec reflected on the significance of the relationships forged through the Cobra Gold exercise.

“Just as important as the training during Cobra Gold are the relationships forged between countries, between leaders, and among our service members at every level,” Godec said. “The exercise helps to foster a spirit of cooperation and goodwill that transcends language, cultures, and borders.”

The exercise culminated in a closing ceremony on March 8 at the Naval Training Field in Lop Buri, Thailand, attended by military leaders, including the Royal Thai Deputy Chief of Defense Forces, Air Chief Marshal Chanon Muangthanya, and Maj. Gen. Michelle Schmidt, commanding general for 7th Infantry Division.

“Cobra Gold is an annual event where we work together to build interoperability between the United States, Thailand and our allies and partners in the region,” said Schmidt during an interview with local media following the ceremony. “Today was a great representation of the training and collaboration that has happened over the past two weeks here.”

Since its inception in 1982, Cobra Gold has evolved from a bilateral maritime exercise between the U.S. and Thailand into the world’s longest-running multinational military exercise, embodying decades of cooperation and partnership in the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SINGAPORE — Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Singapore on an overseas trip from March 6 to 10, to increase shared understanding of regional challenges and strengthen the expansive and enduring U.S.-Singapore relationship.

During the visit, Aquilino met with Singapore Minister of Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Chief of Defence Force Vice Adm. Aaron Beng, and U.S. Ambassador to Singapore Jonathan Kaplan, and discussed bilateral efforts in maritime security and commitment to increased training and cooperation opportunities.

Aquilino spoke with officers during a distinguished speaker dialogue at Goh Keng Swee Command and Staff College (GKS CSC), the top officer training institute of the Singapore Armed Forces. He credited the facilities there as an example of Singapore’s dedication to fostering a capable armed forces through rigorous education and training, and he highlighted the importance of relationships and accountability toward safeguarding a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations.

“What we believe is sovereignty for all nations, no matter the size, with an equal voice to settle disputes peacefully through the international rules of law,” Aquilino said. “That’s what we are fighting for.”

Aquilino also spoke with thought leaders in a special lecture, titled “Navigating Tides: Unity Amidst Complexity,” held by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute. Formerly known as the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, ISEAS holds conferences, lectures and seminars dedicated to socio-political, security, and economic trends and developments in Southeast Asia amid the wider geostrategic and economic environment. 

The U.S. and Singapore recognize the crucial role of education, training, and cross-cultural ties toward strengthening their bilateral relationship, and have increased opportunities for interaction and exchange in the last several years. In recognition of this, Aquilino was presented the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military), signed by Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and presented by Minister of Defence Hen. The award was given for “substantive contributions toward enhancing the strong and longstanding defence relationship between the United States and Singapore” and highlighted Aquilino’s role in increasing regional capacity building efforts, deepening people-to-people ties through inclusivity, and expanding cooperation in the digital domain.

Singapore is one of the United States’ strongest bilateral partners in Southeast Asia and has worked as a close partner for more than 55 years, supporting the rules-based economic and security order in the region. The U.S. is committed to our partnership with Singapore and other like-minded countries to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

USAG Humphreys, Republic of Korea  –  

The ROK and U.S. are conducting Freedom Shield 2024, an 11-day exercise set to reflect the Korea Theater of Operations – a combined, joint, multi-domain, and interagency operating environment. The exercise began March 4 and continues through March 14, 2024.

This annual exercise aims to build understanding between Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, the United Nations Command, and ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, ensuring their ability to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance Alliance response capabilities against a spectrum of security threats. It will feature live, virtual, constructive and field-based training, engaging personnel from the military services and other federal agencies.

One key aspect of the training event focuses on conducting multi-domain operations leveraging land, sea, air, cyber, and space assets with emphasis on counter nuclear operations and non-kinetic effects.

Exercise participates includes service members from 12 United Nations Command Member States, (i.e., Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and the U.S.), all contributing additional personnel. Furthermore, the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission will observe and conduct third-party observations of the exercise, adhering to responsibilities outlined in the Armistice Agreement.

Conducted in the spirit of the Oct. 1, 1953, ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and in support of the Armistice Agreement, FS24 underscores the enduring military partnership between the ROK and the U.S. It reinforces the role of the Alliance as a linchpin for regional peace and security, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the U.S. to defend the ROK.

In conjunction with FS24, ROK-led and U.S.-led units will conduct several large-scale, combined training sessions, enhancing interoperability and elevating combat readiness. These exercises aim to bolster security and stability not only on the Korean peninsula but also across Northeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific.