Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  –  

Gen. Stephen Whiting, Commander of the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), visited the Republic of Korea (ROK) April 21-22 as part of his first overseas visit, where he engaged with senior government and military leaders to further the U.S.-ROK discussions on space and missile defense capabilities in modern warfare and aims to bolster the integration of space assets within the broader defense framework of the Korean Peninsula.

Whiting met with Philip S. Goldberg, U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Adm. Kim Myung-Soo, Chairman of the ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, members of the ROK Air Force, U.S. Army and U.S. Space Force personnel.

Throughout his trip, Whiting, accompanied by Gen. Paul LaCamera, Commander of United States Forces Korea, who oversees the U.S.-ROK mil-to-mil relationship, discussed the critical role of space-based assets in enhancing situational awareness and communication. The discussions focused on leveraging USSPACECOM’s expertise and capabilities to fortify the defense posture of U.S. and allied forces in the region, ensuring readiness and resilience in the face of evolving security challenges.

“The U.S.-ROK Alliance has demonstrated unmatched readiness and capabilities across multiple domains for over 70 years. Our cooperation in the Space Domain reflects another example of the United States ironclad commitment to the Republic of Korea and further demonstrates our commitment to adapt,” LaCamera said. “Our increased efforts in space are meant to prevent adversaries from gaining advantages and to enable our forces with the full resources of our military and civilian space agencies and departments.”

The two countries continue to deepen their relationship through dialogue regarding space and missile defense capabilities.

“Much like the U.S.-ROK Alliance has been a linchpin of security and prosperity for more than 70 years, space is also foundational to our modern way of life and to both the United States’ and the Republic of Korea’s national security, as evidenced by our growing alliance interoperability in space,” Whiting said.

The U.S. Space Command, in collaboration with Allies and Partners, strategically plans, executes, and integrates military space power into multi-domain global operations to deter aggression, safeguard national interests, and, if needed, overcome threats. Whiting emphasized the criticality of nurturing seamless coordination and synergy across military branches and government agencies to efficiently address evolving challenges within the space domain.

“It is a privilege to be here to represent the women and men who work tirelessly to fulfill our moral obligation of providing global space capabilities to the Joint Force, our nation, and our alliance partners, and to discuss ways we can expand our cooperation and contributions to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Whiting said.

This visit serves as a testament to USSPACECOM’s unwavering commitment to bolstering alliances with global partners and allies, underscoring its steadfast dedication to preserving space superiority for the security and prosperity of the United States and its allies.

Following Whiting’s visit to Korea he will travel to Japan and continue discussions on how strategic partnerships and interagency collaboration will help maintain security and stability in Northeast Asia.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City, Philippines  –  

Exercise Balikatan 2024, the largest annual bilateral exercise conducted between the Philippines and the U.S., commenced with an opening ceremony at Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters today.

This year’s exercise marks the 39th iteration of the annual event, showcasing the ironclad Alliance and enduring friendship between the two nations.

During Balikatan 2024, participants will execute a range of complex missions across domains, including maritime security, sensing, and targeting, air and missile defense, dynamic missile strikes, cyber defense, and information operations. The Philippine Navy, U.S. Navy, and the French Navy will also conduct a Multilateral Maritime Exercise in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

The opening ceremony was attended by high-ranking military officials from both countries, including Maj. Gen. Marvin N. Licudine, Commander Armed Forces of the Philippines Education, Training and Doctrine Command and the Philippine Exercise Director; and U.S. Lt. Gen. William M. Jurney, Commander U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific and the U.S. Exercise Director.

In his opening remarks, Maj. Gen. Licudine emphasized the importance of Exercise Balikatan in strengthening the military capabilities and interoperability between the Philippines and the United States.

“Balikatan is not just an exercise, but the avenue where we build confidence, respect and understanding to achieve mutual support, cooperation, and a shared commitment. With this, both the AFP and U.S. Forces will achieve a degree of cohesion to maintain combat readiness capable of swift, decisive actions on both an operational and strategic level, responding to regional and global challenges,” said Licudine.

Lt. Gen. Jurney mirrored Maj. Gen. Licudine’s sentiments, stating, “Balikatan is a tangible demonstration of our shared commitment to each other. It matters for regional peace and stability. When we increase our mutual response and defense capabilities, we strengthen our ability to promote regional security and protect our shared interests.”

Exercise Balikatan directly supports the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty by ensuring our forces are tactically proficient, that capabilities and modernization efforts are mutually compatible, and by strengthening military-to-military coordination.

“Balikatan” is a Tagalog term that means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” which characterizes the spirit of the exercise and represents the Alliance between the Philippines and the United States.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

We are aware of the ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRK’s illicit weapons program. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JAPAN  –  

5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, is known for its fire support and liaison capabilities with joint, allied, and multinational forces whilst maintaining a myriad of combat and tactical air control party training for competition and conflict. With its strategic location, based out of Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, 5th ANGLICO is focused on readiness to respond to crisis or contingency in the Western Pacific by implementing small unmanned aerial system operators and refining maritime target acquisitioning. Despite being not many but much, as its motto, non multa sed multum, states, 5th ANGLICO maximizes its resources and capabilities to closely integrate with joint and partner forces. When not practicing air interdiction and calling for fire, 5th ANGLICO Marines hone infantry fundamentals, ensuring they are self-sufficient and self-sustaining by increasing their expertise on the weapons they will take with them to war.

To contribute to a safe and prosperous Indo-Pacific, 5th ANGLICO maintains a high-degree of combat proficiency. 5th ANGLICO routinely plans and executes several unit-level exercises, rehearsing their ability to rapidly deploy to execute a mission at a moment’s notice anywhere in the Indo-Pacific, and honing their ability to gather and share information in an austere, communications-degraded environment around the small islands chains around Japan and neighboring countries.

5th ANGLICO conducting the Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program on Camp Hansen, enables Marines to maintain weapon proficiency and marksmanship by engaging targets in a competitive environment with their primary and secondary weapon systems.

The Marines shoot M4 carbines and M18 pistols, focusing on speed, efficiency, and accuracy while maneuvering behind barricades by engaging at varying distances, replicating realistic engagement in urban terrain and close quarters combat with speed reloads, controlled pairs against moving targets, box drills, and other courses of fire. In a future conflict, warfighters will engage the enemy from unknown distances and multiple domains; this training allows them to gauge these distances to be able to fire more accurately.

“The Marines at 5th ANGLICO are tasked with tackling a non-standard and evolving problem-set in preparation for potential crisis in the Western Pacific. The necessity to learn and develop new joint fires procedures, utilize new fires and communication equipment, and operate in areas with critical partner forces in the Western Pacific has required initiative, maturity, and performance of our Marines well above what is usually expected for rank and experience,” says Maj Magnussen, the operations officer for 5th ANGLICO. “Our Marines have rose to the occasion and led to our current success with the mission and continued development of the ANGLICO’s ability to forward deploy within the Western Pacific on short notice, in response to crisis, to enable joint force and partner fires with assured command and control, resilient communication and multi-domain awareness.”

In May, 5th ANGLICO’s small unmanned aerial system team will take their training to the Jungle Warfare Training Center at Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa, which is the largest U.S. training facility in Okinawa, and the premier jungle warfare center in the Marine Corps. Areas in the Western Pacific which are mountainous jungles thick with dense vegetation and venomous snakes warrant this training where the Marines might find themselves in a potential conflict.

The Marines will conduct combat, security, and ambush patrols with their rifles through thick vegetation while maintaining a low-signature and small footprint, land navigation, and rappelling and suspension techniques through obstacles. Expanding their combat mindset, they will build upon small unit cohesion and communication to friendly forces about enemy engagement.

The ”J”- lingo for jungle- is a humbling environment, and nothing like home with dangerous flora and fauna like habu snakes rampant in the area. The torrential rain pours over the training area throughout the night. The jungle climate and terrain slow operations, complicates communications, and even increases the chance for illness.

At times it is not always about integrating new capabilities but rather focusing in on tactical skills which demonstrate 5th ANGLICO’s readiness and lethality in a contested space.

Successful stand-in force operations are enabled by synchronizing complementary capabilities with allies and partners to provide a unified response to potential threats in the Indo-Pacific. 5th ANGLICO trains to be proficient in both tactical and operational environments to meet mission demands, and adaptable to show the partner force the broad capabilities that its detachments bring to the fight.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SOUTH KOREA  –  

As part of Korea Flying Training 2024 units across the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and the Republic of Korea Air Force participated in joint mission planning at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, April 15, 2024.

Mission planning is vital in maintaining air superiority by ensuring mission partners are able to fly safely with one another utilizing missionized training rules regarding combined and joint services commanders, intelligence members and aircrew allowing them to succeed in robust and complex scenarios.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii  –  

Today, U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), departed Marine Corps Base Hawaii for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in preparation for their upcoming deployment to the 13th annual iteration of Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) in Australia.

Over the course of the next week, the aircraft will be transported from Hawaii to Darwin where the squadron will serve as the air combat element (ACE), completing the Marine Air Ground Task Force structure in Australia’s Northern Territory. During their time in Darwin, VMM-268 will engage in various exercises and training activities alongside the Australian Defence Force, providing valuable opportunities for increased flight time and exposure to diverse training environments.

“The Marines of VMM-268 have worked exceptionally hard the last few months to get their aircraft ready to move to Darwin,” said Col. William Heiken, the commanding officer of MAG-24. “Seeing the aircraft staged at Pearl Harbor today is a testament to their dedication and hard work. I have the utmost confidence in the MV-22B and in the Marines and Sailors of VMM-268. MAG-24 is very excited to get the aviation combat element forward deployed to join the 13th iteration of MRF-D.”

1st MAW has upheld its commitment to readiness, ensuring sustained preparedness to effectively accomplish its mission. The preparatory events leading up to MRF-D provide assurance to Indo-Pacific partners, affirming 1st MAW’s readiness, proficiency, and forward posture. As VMM-268 continues deployment preparations, they look forward to training alongside allies and partners.

For more information about VMM-268 please contact Marine Aircraft Group 24 Communication Strategy and Operations, https://www.1stmaw.marines.mil/Subordinate-Units/Marine-Aircraft-Group-24/

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

TAIWAN STRAIT  –  

A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on April 17 (local time).

By operating within the Taiwan Strait in accordance with international law, the United States upholds the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations. The aircraft’s transit of the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military flies, sails and operates anywhere international law allows.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  –  

Approximately 200 U.S. and Republic of Korea special operations forces personnel participated in a static-line Airborne training operation today as part of Korea Flying Training 24, a combined ROK and U.S. exercise running April 12-26.

The jumpers, assigned to the ROK Special Warfare Command and U.S. Special Operations Command Korea, landed in a drop zone at Osan Air Base. They were carried by eight aircraft, including U.S. C-17s, ROK and U.S. C-130s, and ROK CASA 235s, working in concert to complete the jump training.

“Today was a great example of how we can effectively conduct cross-component training in support of various objectives involving a larger scale of combined SOF and joint personnel and units from on and off-Peninsula,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James P. Johnson III, SOCKOR Special Operations Liaison Element director. “The complexity of this long-planned, mass-jump training complements more discrete or conventional options for senior leaders.”

The successful, routine event required months of deliberate planning between personnel at the tactical and operational levels. The desired training objectives focused on the proficient integration of joint and combined forces, credibly preparing them to defend the Republic of Korea against belligerent aggression while maintaining stability in Northeast Asia.

According to Johnson, credible training reinforces a broader integrated deterrence posture.

“Training like this validates a range of scalable options for our senior leaders to ensure our combined defense of the peninsula,” Johnson said.

Similar to today’s jumps, most special operations missions are enabled by joint service partners, substantially increasing SOF’s capabilities and effectiveness.

“Joint training provides immeasurable value to numerous Airmen across the 7th Air Force, giving our aircrew, airfield operations, and combat support personnel a chance to integrate closely with our SOF partners,” said Maj. Rachel Buitrago, 7th AF Public Affairs director. “It maintains our ability to support the operational effectiveness of the combined force throughout the region.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  –  

The 673d Air Base Wing enhanced its ability to project forces in support of the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing’s exercise Agile Reaper 24-1 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 1 through 17.

Agile Reaper is Team JBER’s effort to exercise agile combat employment, certify Air Force force-generation requirements, rehearse capabilities in an operationally relevant environment, and to provide air dominance, global mobility, and command/control.

Approximately 800 Airmen are currently flying, maintaining and supporting aircraft operating at five separate locations to ensure the collective defense of a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

U.S. Air Force Col. David Wilson, commander of JBER and the 673rd ABW, said JBER’s operations this week were designed to evaluate and exercise their ability to bring mission partners together to project forces in the Indo-Pacific theater for AR 24-1.

“We worked hard this week to focus on putting it all together with speed and agility – readiness, people, logistics, and aircraft movements,” said Wilson. “The last two years our two wings and mission partners have worked closely to tackle complex challenges and I’m really proud of the work done so far. It’s clear that we must move with a sense of urgency if we are to effectively prepare for great-power competition and I believe we’re witnessing transformational change here at JBER.”

During the exercise, the cooperation between the 673rd ABW and the 3rd Wing was crucial in getting the 3rd AEW out the door for AR 24-1.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jessica Regni, 3rd Wing deputy commander, said the importance of working together with the 673rd ABW to get the 3rd AEW into theater was apparent over the course of the week as it required Airmen to work through challenges to generate combat power at the speed of requirements.

“The ‘fight to get into theater’ is one that is often overlooked, but one we must continue to exercise and refine,” said Regni. “Exercises like Agile Reaper give Team JBER the opportunity to work through challenges so that when called upon, the 3rd AEW can explode into theater and provide air dominance for combatant commands. This was the first of many opportunities to become more agile, and I’m excited to watch Team JBER come together to deliver.”

AR 24-1 facilitates better readiness and performance in the high-end fight and preserve forces as the Air Force moves away from the hardened and entrenched physical and logistical structures of the past toward a more sustainable model where force packages are light and lean in personnel and cargo requirements.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

YAP, Federated States of Micronesia  –  

Following a high-profile rescue of three mariners from Pikelot Atoll, the U.S. Coast Guard, operating through the USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) and coordinated by U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam with U.S. Embassy and USAID partners, continued their vital service in the Pacific by conducting a critical medical evacuation and delivering more than 15,000 lbs. of essential drought relief supplies to several island communities from April 9 – 13, 2024.

“This past week, the crew demonstrated profound capability and compassion,” said Lt. Ray Cerrato, commanding officer of the Oliver Henry. “The little moments of true empathy—from CS1 Pablo, our ship’s cook and a certified EMT, who cared for the boy during our overnight transit, to GM2 and MKC, who gave up their own sleeping quarters so that the boy’s parents could rest— really reflect the deep humanity and commitment of our team. It’s personal, and they make these sacrifices without second thoughts. That is the true spirit of the Coast Guard.”

Drought Relief Efforts:

From April 10 to 13, the USCGC Oliver Henry delivered drought relief supplies, including water, food, and reverse osmosis systems, to four outer island communities: Satawal, Woleai, Fais, and Ulithi, in a 1,200 nautical mile round trip across Yap State in FSM. This mission supported a request from the U.S. Embassy and in partnership with USAID and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), highlighting the U.S. commitment to providing essential aid and enhancing resilience against natural disasters in FSM.

“We take immense pride in our ability to execute complex operations and work effectively with our partners, as well as in bringing crucial water and supplies to remote communities affected by severe drought,” said Cerrato. “The good news is, at pretty much all the islands we just visited it either started to rain as we were leaving, or it’s rained in the past 48 hours.”

Annual rainfall in Yap is around 121 inches (3090 mm). Northeast tradewinds blow from November to May, resulting in less rain and lower humidity during these months. The National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in Guam states extreme drought conditions persist across the Federated States of Micronesia and below-normal rainfall is still expected in the long-term for much of Yap State and Palau.

Medical Evacuation:

During the ongoing drought relief mission, the crew was again called to action on April 11 to assist a 9-year-old boy from Satawal who suffered a serious head injury in a fall from a tree. The medical evacuation occurred promptly, with the boy, accompanied by his parents and the cutter’s EMT, being transported to Woleai Atoll for enhanced care. Approximately 13 hours after boarding the USCGC Oliver Henry, the crew launched the small boat, and the guests from Satawal were transferred ashore at Woleai to board a Yap State government-chartered flight for further transport to a higher level of medical care in Yap.

“Search and Rescue is our no-fail mission, and the successful outcomes of these recent operations in Micronesia—rescuing stranded mariners and conducting a critical medical evacuation—prove this point. Beyond these life-saving actions, our commitment extends to addressing humanitarian challenges, many exacerbated by climate issues. Working in concert with partners like the U.S. Embassies, local governments, USAID, and IOM, each operation not only reinforces our readiness and resolve to save lives and safeguard our Pacific communities but also demonstrates our dedication to cooperation, providing comprehensive support in the face of diverse challenges,” said Capt. Nicholas Simmons, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam.

-USCG-

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

U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam plays a critical role in promoting maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship in the Pacific. The sector’s capabilities are integral to executing a wide range of Coast Guard missions, from protecting the maritime economy and the environment to defending maritime borders and saving those in peril.