Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KOROR, Palau  –  

In a historic ceremony at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center in downtown Koror, Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr., Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, and Col. Michael Cruz, adjutant general of the Guam Guard, signed a declaration formalizing the nation’s newest State Partnership between the U.S. Territory of Guam and the Republic of Palau.

Witnessing the ceremony were Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of National Guard Bureau, U.S. Ambassador Joel Ehrendreich, Palau Vice President J. Uduch S. Senior, and members of the Palau National Congress and Council of Chiefs.

Managed by National Guard Bureau and executed with Combatant Commanders, SPP develops enduring relationships, improves interoperability, and enhances the readiness of the U.S. and partner nations to meet emerging challenges together.

The program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and includes over 100 nations around the globe. This year, NGB selected the Guam Guard to partner with Palau.

“When we talk about commonalities between Guam and Palau, we voyaged as warriors and seafarers thousands of years ago,” said Leon Guerrero. “Our ancestors braved the seas and storms with no computers or science at all, except the feel of the current and wind, the temperature of the water, and knowledge of the stars. We are innovative and resilient people who have weathered World Wars, colonization, and struggles for political identity. This partnership is just one way we will continue fighting for and defending our freedom.”

Both Guam and Palau’s island of Peleliu were sites of major battles during World War 2.

Although Palau has no military, the State Partnership Program allows for a whole-of-government approach. Opportunities for two-way exchanges in law enforcement and border security, cyber protection and resilience, medical and civil engineering community engagements, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and more, exist under the program.

Staff Sgt. Christina Adelbai, UH-72 Lakota helicopter mechanic for the Guam Guard’s aviation detachment, greeted the audience in native Palauan before reading the Declaration of Partnership in English.

“I just want to take a moment to say how proud I am of this partnership,” Adelbai said. “To be a Soldier in the Guam National Guard, standing here as a daughter of Palau, there’s a lot of pride.”

After the ceremony, President Whipps shared the importance of the newly signed partnership.

“We are here today to celebrate and, really, I think, to begin a new chapter in this relationship that creates a lot of opportunities for our people to continue to help each other in that Pacific Way,” said Pres. Whipps. “Caring for each other and helping each other build each other up. Most importantly, being prepared and keeping our Indo-Pacific free and open and ensuring that our values, our democratic values, are made strong.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

IE SHIMA, OKINAWA, Japan  –  

U.S. Marines, Japanese coast guardsmen, and Okinawan officials honored the casualties of WWII during the annual Ie Shima Lighthouse Memorial Service on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, April 21.

Seventy-nine years ago, during the Okinawa campaign of WWII, a lighthouse keeper and eight of his family members were killed during an air raid on Ie Shima. Every year since then, a ceremony is held in remembrance of the family and the many other casualties of WWII.

During the ceremony, representatives in attendance and the honored lighthouse keeper’s descendants and family members place flowers and bow in remembrance of the casualties. This ceremony is set up by members of the Japanese Coast Guard, and the area is regularly maintained by the Marines who reside at Ie Shima Training Facility.

“It’s one of the bigger things that we do here at Ie Shima,” said Gunnery Sgt. Luis Delao, a communication, navigation, cryptographic and countermeasures systems technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and the staff non-commissioned officer in charge of the Ie Shima Training Facility. “We help maintain some portions of the lighthouse, but the biggest thing is fostering the camaraderie that we have in the community, not just with the Japanese locals on island, but also the Japanese Coast Guard that comes out to support.”

The Marines stationed on Ie Shima inspect the lighthouse daily to ensure that the area is clean and free of any trash or debris. Marines also make sure to report any damages to the lighthouse after any destructive weather.

“This ceremony allows us to extend that olive branch and repair those past injuries that have happened,” said Delao. “It’s intimate and allowing Marines to be a part of this every year enables us to help bridge the gap and strengthen the relationships that we have.”

These Marines conduct monthly beach clean-ups to remove trash left by the fishing boats, frequently volunteer at schools to help teach English and any other events they are asked to assist with, as well as supporting all the memorials at Ie Shima.

Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SANTA RITA, Guam  –  

On April 26, 2024, the team at U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and Base Guam hosted a distinguished Congressional Delegation led by Congressman Sam Graves, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Congressman Mike Bost, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. 

The delegation, which included Congressmen David Rouzer, Troy Nehls, and Mark DeSaulnier, along with key staff from both committees, spent the afternoon with crews, gaining firsthand insights into the critical operations of the Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) in the region. Joining them was Guam Delegate James Moylan. A particular focus was on the operational achievements and the strategic value of homeporting FRCs in Guam, a decision that underscores our unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, security, and economic stability in the Pacific.

The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew reflected on their recent activities, including a significant case and delivery of humanitarian aid alongside USAID and IOM partners to residents of the Federated States of Micronesia, which underscores the vital role these cutters play in national and regional security. 

“Since their commissioning in 2021, the legacy of the Guam-based FRCs in enhancing maritime safety, security, and goodwill in the Pacific has been remarkable,” said Capt. Nicholas Simmons, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam. 

The delegation also toured critical infrastructure sites, including the damaged glass breakwater and the Port Authority of Guam, from the cutter and the cutter small boat. These sites are essential for military readiness, impact shipping routes, and influence the economic activity and cost of goods in the Marianas.

“It wasn’t all serious. The crew told a few fish stories and may have unintentionally splashed an attendee or two on the bow as they turned into the seas, which really gives them the feel of a day in the life of our crew underway,” said Simmons. We are grateful to Chairman Graves, Chairman Bost, Delegate Moylan, and all delegation members for their visit and continued support of our people and our missions.” 

The engagement with the Congressional Delegation serves as a powerful reminder of the significant role of the U.S. Coast Guard in promoting peace, security, safety, and economic stability in the Pacific.

-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.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Smith, distinguished Members of the Committee: Thanks for the opportunity to testify in support of President Biden’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the Department of Defense.

I’m pleased to be joined by our outstanding Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General C.Q. Brown, and by Under Secretary Mike McCord, the Department’s Comptroller.

Let me start by thanking this Committee for all that you do to support the U.S. military, our troops, and our military families.

As Secretary, I’ve always been guided by three priorities: defending our nation, taking care of our people, and succeeding through teamwork. Our budget request for Fiscal Year 2025 will advance all three of these priorities.

First, the President’s request will invest in cutting-edge capabilities across all domains. That includes $48.1 billion for naval and shipbuilding capabilities, $61.2 billion to reinforce U.S. air dominance, and $13 billion to bolster Army and Marine Corps combat capabilities.

Our request will also provide $33.7 billion to strengthen our space architecture and $14.5 billion to develop and field advanced cybersecurity tools. It will direct $49.2 billion to modernize and recapitalize all three legs of our nuclear triad. And it will sharpen our tech edge through a $167.5 billion investment in procurement and $143.2 billion in R&D.

Second, this budget request will support our outstanding troops and their families. That includes raising base pay and housing allowances; investing in better housing; making childcare more affordable; and funding vital work to prevent sexual assault and suicide in the military.

And third, this request will help the Department further deepen our teamwork worldwide. Our network of allies and partners remains a strategic advantage that no competitor can match. And you can see its power in our strengthening ties across the Indo-Pacific, in today’s expanded and united NATO, and in the 50-country Ukraine Defense Contact Group that I convene.

Our budget remains rooted in our 2022 National Defense Strategy. Our request positions the United States to tackle the Department’s pacing challenge — the People’s Republic of China — with confidence and urgency. It will help meet the acute threat of Putin’s increasingly aggressive Russia. It will help us tackle the persistent dangers from Iran and its proxies. It will help us take on threats from North Korea, global terrorist organizations, and other malign actors. And it will help us continue to deter aggression against the United States and our allies and partners — and to prevail in conflict if necessary.

Now today, I want to underscore three key messages.

First, even as our budget request abides by the mandatory caps set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, it is aligned to our strategy. We made tough but responsible decisions that prioritize near-term readiness, modernization of the joint force, and support for our troops and their families. Our approach dials back some near-term modernization for programs not set to come online until the 2030s.

Second, we can only fully reach the goals of our strategy with your help. I am grateful that Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations in March. And the single greatest way that Congress can support the Department is to pass predictable, sustained, and timely appropriations.

My third and final message is that the price of U.S. leadership is real — but it is far lower than the price of U.S. abdication.

As the President has said, we are in a global struggle between democracy and autocracy. And our security relies on American strength of purpose.

That’s why our budget request seeks to invest in American security — and in America’s defense industrial base.

The same is true for the recently passed National Security Supplemental that will support our partners in Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan and make key investments to increase submarine production.

In fact, about $50 billion of this supplemental will flow through our defense industrial base, creating good American jobs in more than 30 states.

So we are grateful for our partners in Congress who help us make the investments needed to strengthen America’s security, through both the supplemental and the President’s budget request.

The U.S. military is the most lethal fighting force on Earth. And with your help, we’re going to keep it that way.

I deeply appreciate your support for our mission and our troops. And I look forward to your questions.

Thank you.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  –   An inert GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided munition fired from a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper impacts a simulated target at Pilsung Range, Republic of Korea, April 19, 2024. The MQ-9 Reaper participated in Korea Flying Training 24, the largest ROK-U.S. combined flying training event held annually on Korean peninsula, marking the first time the aircraft has deployed to the ROK and participated in live munitions training. During KFT 24 the aircraft was configured to participate in numerous training scenarios to rehearse its precision strike, close air support, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. (U.S. Air Force video) (Editor’s Note: This declassified video has been edited for length, however, the events are depicted in sequential order.)

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii  –  

Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosted a virtual Chiefs of Defense meeting at the USINDOPACOM headquarters in Hawaii to strengthen military-to-military relationships, discuss common security issues and foster regional cooperation, April 29, 2024.

Senior military leaders from 27 countries met virtually and reviewed the progress of agreed upon objectives. 

During the meeting, Aquilino discussed the importance of deepening security cooperation opportunities and security challenges within the Indo-Pacific region with an emphasis that USINDOPACOM will continue to work closely with Allies and partners to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

USINDOPACOM hosts virtual CHOD meetings quarterly to provide a forum for open dialogue between military leaders and discuss the regional security environment. The next in-person CHOD conference will be in September 2024.

At the meeting, Aquilino also introduced Adm. Samuel Paparo, who will become the USINDOPACOM commander upon completion of a change of command ceremony on May 3, 2024.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III will travel to Honolulu, Hawaii, next week to preside over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) Change of Command, meet with his counterparts from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines, and engage with service members.

On May 2, Secretary Austin will meet bilaterally with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, and he will also meet bilaterally with Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru. The three officials will then convene a Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting. Finally, Secretary Austin, Deputy Prime Minister Marles, Minister Kihara,and Philippines Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro will hold the second-ever meeting of defense ministers from Australia, Japan, the Philippines, and the United States, where they will discuss ways to deepen defense and security ties among the four countries.

On May 3, Secretary Austin will preside over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Change of Command, where he will deliver remarks recognizing outgoing commander Admiral John Aquilino, incoming commander Admiral Samuel Paparo, and the hundreds of thousands of American service members in USINDOPACOM’s Area of Responsibility. He will also meet with distinguished guests on the margins of the ceremony and engage with service members on Oahu.

Secretary Austin will travel to Hawaii as the United States, together with allies and partners, continues to deliver historic momentum toward a shared regional vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii  –  

Lt. Gen. William M. Jurney, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, made an official visit to the Republic of Palau April 24-25, after participating in opening ceremonies for Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines.

The Republic of Palau is one of the Compact of Free Association states aligned with the United States, which provides defense, funding, and access to social services. Lt. Gen. Jurney’s visit to Palau underscores the importance and depth of commitment the United States has for the U.S.-Palau partnership.

“Palau has proven to be a long-standing friend of the United States in the Pacific. We thank President Whipps, Jr. for his steadfast support for the U.S. military presence, which helps maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. We are grateful for the hospitality that Palau shows to the Marine Corps, and are proud of the contributions Marines have made to improving Palau’s infrastructure and serving the people of Palau.” Lt. Gen. Jurney

Previous deployments to Palau have seen U.S. Marines and Sailors provide expertise in engineering, medical, maritime law enforcement, and explosive ordnance disposal capabilities. Some of the projects Pacific Marines have recently undertaken in Palau include restoration of the Peleliu airstrip, the construction of a weapons firing range, and renovation of the Peleliu World War II Museum, significant because of the upcoming 80th anniversary commemoration of the battle for Peleliu on September 15.

“The Marines have a deep and enduring connection to the people of Palau, both through community service as well as the many Palauans who have served in the Corps.” U.S. Ambassador to Palau Joel Ehrendreich

Lt. Gen. Jurney pledged to build on the long history the Marine Corps shares with the people of Palau.

“We are committed to continuing the long and proud legacy of the Marine Corps working with the people of Palau as we secure and maintain a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.”

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

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Republic of Korea (ROK) Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Cho Chang-rae, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner, and Japan Director General for Defense Policy Kano Koji convened the 14th Defense Trilateral Talks virtually on April 24, 2024. The officials exchanged assessments of the security environment on the Korean Peninsula, in the Indo-Pacific, and beyond, and they consulted on concrete ways to deepen ROK-U.S.-Japan trilateral security cooperation.

The three defense officials affirmed that the United States, Japan, and the ROK, guided by the outcomes of the August 2023 Camp David Summit, have significantly strengthened their security cooperation over the past year, particularly through historic collaboration on a real-time DPRK missile warning data sharing mechanism and a multi-year trilateral exercise plan.

The three sides affirmed their enduring commitment to strengthening trilateral cooperation to deter the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear and missile threats and to promote peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the Indo-Pacific region. They condemned the DPRK’s recent diversification of nuclear delivery systems, tests and launches of multiple ballistic missiles, the launch of what the DPRK purports to be a military reconnaissance satellite using ballistic missile technology, illicit ship-to-ship transfers, and arms shipments with Russia as clear violations of multiple United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs).

The officials urged the international community to advance its stated goal of ensuring the DPRK fully complies with its obligations under relevant UNSCRs, and affirmed they will redouble their efforts in support of effective UNSCR implementation following Russia’s veto blocking the renewal of the mandate of the UN Panel of Experts that monitors implementation of sanctions on the DPRK. They urged the DPRK to cease all destabilizing activities immediately. They reaffirmed that a DPRK nuclear test, if conducted, would be met with a strong and resolute response from the international community. They also reiterated that the path to dialogue remains open toward peaceful and diplomatic resolution with the DPRK, and the three officials pledged to continue coordination toward the complete denuclearization of the DPRK in accordance with relevant UNSCRs.

The three sides acknowledged that their enhanced trilateral security cooperation contributes to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the Indo-Pacific region. They emphasized the importance of the rule of law and expressed strong opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. They shared concerns about actions that are inconsistent with international law as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and stressed the importance of fully respecting freedom of navigation and overflight. Additionally, they recognized that there is no change in their basic positions on Taiwan, and emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community. 

The officials reaffirmed their commitment to stand with Ukraine against Russia’s illegal, unprovoked, and brutal war of aggression, recognizing that Russia’s actions violate the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty.

The three representatives exchanged views on implementing the U.S. Indo-Pacific Strategy, the ROK Strategy for a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region, and Japan’s new plan for a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific.” They also reiterated the importance of continuing the momentum of the new era of trilateral security cooperation advanced by the Camp David Summit. They agreed to institutionalize trilateral security cooperation policy dialogues, including the Trilateral Ministerial Meeting (TMM), the Defense Trilateral Talks (DTT), and the Trilateral Chiefs of Defense (Tri-CHOD). They also welcomed progress on establishing an annual, named, multi-domain trilateral exercise.

The United States reaffirmed its ironclad commitment to the defense of the ROK and Japan, emphasizing that this commitment is backed by the full range of U.S. capabilities, including nuclear capabilities.

The officials pledged to continue working closely together to strengthen security cooperation among their three countries, and they agreed to hold the 15th Defense Trilateral Talks later this year in the ROK.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines  –  

Marines and Sailors assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked on the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), consolidated in the province of Palawan to participate in Exercise Balikatan 2024 on April 22.

Over 1,000 Marines and Sailors embarked on the Somerset and Harpers Ferry integrated for the first time on their routinely scheduled deployment to the Indo-Pacific region for the exercise. Training alongside the Philippine Marine Corps, the 15th MEU’s participation in Balikatan helps maintain a high level of military readiness to enhance bilateral response capabilities in the Philippines and improve mutual defense capabilities.

“Exercise Balikatan is one of the most important exercises in the Pacific, and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit is proud to participate, shoulder-to-shoulder, with our fellow Philippine Marines. The training and integration among our allies and partners here is an opportunity to continuously test our capabilities with realistic training and ensure we are ready, together, to respond to crisis or contingency,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of the 15th MEU.

The 15th MEU will participate in each of the four combined joint all-domain operations events during this year’s exercise, highlighting the combined capabilities of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force and the Philippine Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Brigade. Their training activities will include securing key maritime terrain to support territorial defense, conducting simulated long range, precision strike fires, and sensing and shooting surface threats with missile defense systems.

Somerset, Harpers Ferry, and embarked elements of the 15th MEU are under the command and control of Combined Task Force 76/3, employed by U.S. 7th Fleet to operate with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“Balikatan” is a Tagalog phrase that means “shoulder-to-shoulder.” The goal of the bilateral military cooperation is to build the capacity to respond to crisis or conflict, working “shoulder-to-shoulder” with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, enhancing mutual defense capability.

Please direct all Balikatan 2024 related questions to Capt. Josephine Rios at Josephine.rios.1@us.af.mil.