Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

President Jimmy Carter, the nation’s 39th chief executive and the first U.S. Naval Academy graduate to serve in the Oval Office, began his final journey Saturday with a procession that intertwined the small-town rhythms of Plains, Georgia, and the weighty traditions of American military pageantry. His was a life well lived, one whose actions epitomized the motto of his alma mater, the U.S. Naval Academy: non sibi sed patriae — “not for self, but for country.” 

Decades after Carter resigned his naval commission to assume responsibility for his family’s peanut warehouse and farmland, an honor guard of service members and midshipmen escorted his flag-draped casket from Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus. Former and current Secret Service agents, who had safeguarded him for nearly half a century, led the hearse past Plains landmarks that spoke to Carter’s Depression-era roots — the modest home where Rosalynn was delivered by a nurse in 1927, the old train depot that served as his 1976 campaign headquarters and the fields where he once worked side-by-side with Black sharecroppers. 

“He was an amazing man. He was held up and propped up and soothed by an amazing woman,” remarked son James Earl “Chip” Carter III, recalling both his father and mother, the late Rosalynn Carter. “The two of them together changed the world.”  

The local reaction along the funeral route displayed the deep reverence for a man who, despite rising to the highest office in the land, “never forgot where he came from.” 

Yet this final salute to Carter also showcased the institutional impact of his early years in uniform — a side of his story he always said shaped his public life. In 1943, the teenage Carter arrived at Annapolis as a “landlubber in every respect,” never having seen an ocean or stepped aboard a vessel larger than a fishing boat.

Entering what was then a largely insular academy, he encountered strict discipline from upperclassmen. Carter withstood weeks of “plebe summer” indoctrination before an accelerated wartime schedule designed to commission officers for a global conflict. He later recalled that the academy’s rigorous environment taught him self-control, quiet leadership and above all, a reverence for “absolute truth.” 

Graduating in the top 10% of the Class of 1947, Carter served briefly aboard experimental gunnery ships USS Wyoming and USS Mississippi before transitioning to the submarine force. Drawn to the emerging possibilities of nuclear propulsion, he joined Navy Admiral Hyman G. Rickover’s budding program.  

Known as the “Father of the Nuclear Navy,” Rickover put young Carter to work developing nuclear reactors at a time when fission technology was in its infancy. Carter later assisted with the emergency cleanup following a partial meltdown at Canada’s Chalk River Laboratories, where he and his small crew disassembled radioactive components in dangerous conditions.  

“They let us get probably a thousand times more radiation than they would now,” he would recall, noting the fledgling nature of nuclear science in the 1950s. 

Carter’s father died in 1953, bringing him home to Georgia and ending a promising naval career. Yet the legacy of service never left him. He often said Rickover had “more effect on my life than any other man besides my father.” Carter merged that influence with lessons from the Naval Academy’s Blue Jacket’s Manual, which instilled obedience, loyalty, energy and courage — values he carried from the submarine force to politics. Elected the 39th president in 1976, he became the only Annapolis graduate to occupy the White House.

On Saturday, those military bonds were clear at the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta, where a carefully choreographed tribute featured the 282d Army Band, part of Joint Task Force–National Capital Region. Band members performed “Hail to the Chief” and the hymn “Be Thou My Vision,” salutes for a commander-in-chief who had once been a newly commissioned ensign, then lieutenant, in the U.S. Navy.  

Grandson Jason Carter addressed the assembled staff, volunteers and Habitat for Humanity partners who had witnessed the former president’s hands-on approach to public service. “His spirit fills this place,” Jason said, thanking the men and women who would continue Carter’s humanitarian mission around the world. 

Following the Georgia observances, Carter’s remains are set to travel to Washington. The farewell schedule includes a 21-gun salute at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, a transfer to a horse-drawn caisson at the U.S. Navy Memorial and a funeral procession tracing the route that Carter famously walked as part of his 1977 inaugural parade.

At the Capitol, his body will lie in state, giving lawmakers and citizens another day to pay their respects before a service at Washington National Cathedral. Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and Naval Academy Superintendent Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids are expected to honor him in Washington, reaffirming his place in the school’s storied lineage. 

Ultimately, Carter’s journey will end where it began: Plains. He will be buried next to Rosalynn, his partner of 77 years, near the house they built before his first run for state senate. Army Maj. Gen. Trevor J. Bredenkamp, commanding general of the Joint Task Force–National Capital Region, is charged with directing the soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen, Coast Guardsmen and guardians along each leg of the route. The near-constant presence of uniformed service members throughout the ceremony reflects Carter’s lifelong devotion to his country — one forged in the halls of Bancroft Hall and tested on the decks of submarines. 

“For a ceremony of this scale, our teams must remain adaptive, thoroughly prepared and agile,” Bredenkamp said. “We’ve brought together every branch of the military, coordinated with many local, state and federal interagency partners, and balanced various protocols to ensure every element — from cordons and color guards to the body bearers and military bands — flawlessly executes their ceremonial duties and responsibilities in tribute to President Carter’s legacy.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PAJU, South Korea  –  

Daesongdong Elementary School, the only school located within the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), held its 56th graduation ceremony on Jan. 3, marking a milestone for four students who completed their elementary education.

The ceremony drew dignitaries from the United Nations Command, UNC Military Armistice Commission, JSA Security Battalion, Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, Republic of Korea military officials, as well as local leaders from Paju City and Gyeonggi Province.

The graduates, who aim to become a kindergarten teacher, pilot, veterinarian, and film director, were congratulated by families, local leaders, and military officials. The event was safeguarded by UNC Security Battalion Soldiers, highlighting the school’s unique location within the DMZ and UNC’s role to provide security of the Daesongdong residents.

Since its establishment in 1954, Daesongdong Elementary School has produced 230 graduates, with 27 students currently enrolled across six classes.

“In one of the most geopolitically sensitive areas in the world, this school stands as a testament to what we can achieve when we prioritize security, peace and stability,” said Maj. Gen. John Weidner, United Nations Command Chief of Staff.

Weidner also commended the graduates on their milestone.

“Your achievements are extraordinary, not just because of where you are, but because of who you are. The world needs your voices, your talents, and your dreams to build a brighter future. And because of your experiences within the DMZ, you are extraordinary ambassadors of peace.”

Mr. Choe, Il-yong, the school principal, said the graduation ceremony was a significant moment for the students, who have demonstrated “remarkable resilience and dedication to their studies.” The official expressed pride in the students’ accomplishments and gratitude for the support of the community, military officials, and local leaders.

United Nations Command remains committed to providing a secure and safe environment for Daesongdong residents with education and supportive environment for its students, despite the challenges posed by its location within the DMZ.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

WASHINGTON (AFNS)  –  

Joint Ceremonial Honor Guard members representing each military service are participating in the state funeral events honoring former President Jimmy Carter. The Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Honor Guards have all participated in state funerals previously. However, this is the first state funeral for the newest U.S. military service – the Space Force.

Carter, the 39th president of the United States, died Dec. 29, 2024. His state funeral began Jan. 4, in Georgia, and continues in Washington, D.C., through Jan. 9. While some Honor Guard members were in Atlanta supporting the funeral events there, other members were in the nation’s capital, rehearsing for the local events.

The U.S. Space Force celebrated its fifth anniversary in December, and standing up its Honor Guard was an important part of creating its heritage. The first Guardians graduated from nine-week technical training with the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard in August 2024, and the Space Force Honor Guard currently has 43 Guardians assigned. Though the U.S. Space Force Honor Guard has some new recruits, some of the team transferred over from the Air Force, bringing years of knowledge and experience to share with the newer members.

Although the unit is new, the Guardians are as well-trained as their counterparts from other services. They’ve been involved in other high-profile events like the Super Bowl, and funerals for late First Lady Rosalynn Carter, and Senator Dianne Feinstein.

The Honor Guards from each service train together year-round, to ensure readiness and the Defense Department holds several state funeral training events each year to ensure its ready to respond at any time.

“While the state funeral seems like a quick turnaround, the reality is that all Joint Forces execute year-round training together with a validation exercise to show that our forces are ready for any state funeral that comes,” said Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Massoth, U.S. Space Force Honor Guard senior enlisted leader. “We constantly rotate people in to ensure wide-spread knowledge and practice the task during daily operations too.”

Though the Honor Guard members were preparing for the presidential inauguration scheduled for Jan. 20, they quickly pivoted to include state funeral events.

“The [U.S. Space Force Honor Guard] is about 17 months old and we are faced with two of the largest ceremonies possible, a state funeral and presidential inauguration, all within a 20-day window,” Massoth said. “This is an amazing opportunity to represent all Guardians to the American public and world as we perform two historic events.”

A snowstorm hit Washington the day before Carter’s funeral procession was scheduled to arrive in the city. However, the Honor Guard didn’t let snowy, icy weather conditions stop them. Massoth said physical fitness, nutrition, and proper rest are stressed throughout the year to ensure service members are able to perform their duties in a variety of weather conditions. They train constantly in heat and cold weather and teach members to layer clothing properly. Although most of the city was still shut down Jan. 7, the state funeral continued without missing a beat.

A state funeral is a national tribute held for current or former presidents, or other officials as directed by the president. Joint Task Force-National Capital Region, on behalf of the Department of Defense, is supporting the funeral. Members of the public were invited to pay their respects during public viewings in Atlanta and Washington, during the funeral procession or along motorcade routes.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz.  –  

In the predawn hours of New Year’s Eve, a deadly fireworks explosion in Hawaii sent shockwaves across the islands. Three people tragically lost their lives and 20 more were injured. Six survivors were airlifted aboard an Air Force C-17 from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii to Phoenix, Ariz., Jan. 4, 2025, where they would receive specialized care at Valleywise Medical Center’s renowned burn unit. 

The mission to safely transport these patients, over extensive distances, exemplified joint effort between the Air Force Reserve’s 944th Fighter Wing, the active-duty Air Force’s 56th Fighter Wing, the Phoenix Fire Department, and civilian medical professionals.

“This is what we train for, and when the call comes, we’re ready,” said Capt. Paris Mandy, a clinical nurse with the 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron (ASTS), a specialized unit within the most diverse training wing in the Air Force Reserve. 

With their core mission centered on patient movement and stabilization, the 944th ASTS played an instrumental role in this high-stakes operation. From the moment the team was activated, they worked side by side with active-duty Airmen and civilian counterparts to ensure mission success.

The 944th ASTS, a unit known for its expertise in aeromedical evacuation, provided critical manpower for offloading the patients from the aircraft and transferring them to ambulances at the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport. 

Mandy described the mission as a real-world scenario where the unit’s extensive training could be directly applied. 

“Today, we’re not working with mannequins. These are real patients who need us,” Mandy said. “It’s both humbling and exhilarating to put our skills to work in such a meaningful way.”

For some of the reservists, including 944th FW ASTS Master Sgt. Elisabeth Yates, this was their first real-world operation. 

“This is why we train so rigorously,” Yates noted. “When you’re called at a moment’s notice, readiness is everything. This mission brought all our preparation into sharp focus.” 

Yates highlighted the critical role Exercise Desert Hammer 25-1, a rigorous annual training exercise conducted by the 944th FW in November 2024, played in preparing them for this moment. The exercise simulates high-pressure, real-world scenarios, requiring rapid adaptability and flawless execution. 

“Desert Hammer taught us how to operate at a real-world pace,” Yates added. “That training translated directly into our ability to respond effectively today.”

The joint nature of this operation was a testament to the power of collaboration. Capt. Eric Huff, 56th FW Medical Group Director of Tactical Combat Casualty Care, emphasized the importance of teamwork in ensuring patient safety. 

“We had to transfer patients from military litters to Phoenix Fire Department gurneys, which required precise coordination,” Huff explained. “It’s not just about physical strength – it’s about communication and synchronization among all teams involved.”

The mission also highlighted the human element at the heart of military operations. For 944th FW ASTS Staff Sgt. Nathan Espinoza the experience was profoundly meaningful. 

“Helping people who can’t help themselves – that’s why I joined,” Espinoza said. “Seeing the resilience of these patients and knowing that our efforts are making a difference is incredibly rewarding.”

The complexity of the operation, from the initial activation to the final patient transfer, highlighted the value of readiness and adaptability by all support involved, explained Huff. 

Mandy’s background as an emergency room nurse and psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner brought an additional layer of expertise to the mission, bridging the gap between military and civilian medical care.

“It’s a team effort,” Mandy said. “Whether it’s our junior Airmen or senior officers, everyone has a role to play. The camaraderie and mutual respect we’ve built through training like Desert Hammer made all the difference today.”

As the last ambulance departed for Valleywise Medical Center, the gravity of the mission settled over the team. They had answered the call, proving that their training and dedication could rise to meet any challenge. 

For the 944th Fighter Wing, this mission was not just a demonstration of operational excellence but also a profound reminder of their collective purpose: to Forge Combat Airmen to Fly, Fight, and Win – in any scenario, at any time.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii  –  

Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd, deputy commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosts Lithuanian Chief of Defence Gen. Raimundas Vaikšnoras at USINDOPACOM headquarters on Camp H.M. Smith in Hawaii, Jan. 7, 2025.

Vaikšnoras assumed his role in July 2024 and has demonstrated a desire to enhance U.S.-Lithuanian communication and cooperation in combating threats across the Indo-Pacific region.

The visit to Hawaii builds upon Vaikšnoras’ meeting with U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. at the Pentagon in Sept. 2024, where they discussed Baltic regional security, Lithuania’s defense modernization programs and U.S. force posture.

After Lithuania regained its independence in 1990, Lithuania has been committed to promoting democratic principles at home and abroad as a NATO Ally and European Union member.

USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  –  

In 2024, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band shared its music with 2.5 million people in nine countries and four Hawaiian Islands. Its 600 engagements included concerts for the community, performances for school children, official Navy events and ceremonies, and shows for Sailors. Band members also participated in the annual Pacific Partnership, the Navy’s largest multinational humanitarian and disaster relief mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific, taking them to Vietnam, the Philippines, Tonga, and across Micronesia for cultural exchanges.

It’s a rigorous schedule for the band, which has been representing the U.S. Navy in Hawaii for more than 75 years. The Pacific Fleet Band is one of 11 bands in the Navy that inspire patriotism, elevate esprit de corps, support recruiting and retention efforts, preserve the Nation’s musical heritage, and carry the Navy message around the world. Navy bands go where ships can’t go, expanding and strengthening the Navy’s network of partners. In a typical year, Navy bands travel to more than 40 countries, helping improve access and relationships abroad.

A musical ambassador for the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Pacific Fleet Band is led by Lt. Clint Mcclanahan, who was named Fleet Bandmaster in January 2024. He enlisted in the Navy in July 2003 and commissioned in 2015 after 12 years as an enlisted electric bass player. Prior to reporting as Fleet Bandmaster, Mcclanahan received a Master of Music in wind band conducting from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University as part of the Naval Postgraduate School Civilian Institutions Program. He also holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Morehead State University.

Like Mcclanahan, all 42 members of the Pacific Fleet Band are trained musicians. Most have a bachelor’s degree in music, while some have advanced degrees. To earn a spot on the band, musicians must audition, similar to auditioning for a spot in a major symphony.

Unique Musician Rating

After boot camp, musicians go to “A” school for 21 weeks in Little Creek, Virginia.

Unlike most other Navy ratings, which have identical roles after completing initial training, musicians also have a designator indicating what instrument they play. A Navy band needs an appropriate blend of flutes, clarinets, oboes to play a John Philip Sousa march, Mcclanahan explained.

The band also has other instruments that allow it to play more than typical military fare.

“We also have vocalists, we have guitar players, piano players, drum set players, bass players, so that we can perform not just military music of our past but popular music of the day,” Mcclanahan said.

Although the band has musicians who can play multiple instruments, it is not a Navy requirement.

The band’s song list includes “bread and butter songs that live in the soul of a military musician” such as the “National Anthem,” “Eternal Father,” “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” as well as “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī,” which is unique to a Hawaii. Mcclanahan explained that musicians also have about 25 songs ready to go at any given moment, but the list is constantly evolving based on the time of year and the band’s different ensembles.

In addition to parade, ceremonial and concerts bands, there are also smaller chamber groups like brass and woodwind quintets that perform at military ceremonies, public concerts and music education clinics.

Two musical groups perform contemporary tunes that appeal to audiences of all ages: Pipeline, a rock band that plays music from the early days of rock and roll to the latest pop and country hits; and Pau Hana Sound, which plays popular music with a nod to local instrumentation and musical styles.

December is a particularly busy time for the band with Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremonies on Dec. 7, free holiday performances for the public at Ala Moana Center and Hale Koa Hotel and marching in community Christmas parades.

In January, the band heads to Hawaii Island as part of Music in School, a public school outreach program where band members host music clinics for students and perform concerts. In April, the band plans to support the Merrie Monarch Festival, the week-long festival held in April in Hilo that features an internationally acclaimed hula competition and showcases Hawaiian art and culture following the ideals of King Kalākaua. The band will travel to American Samoa later that month.

History of the Band

The U.S. Pacific Fleet Band has a unique history. It first formed in February 1941 when Pacific Fleet Headquarters was established at Pearl Harbor.

In September 1941, the band participated in the Battle of Music, a competition among Navy bands from capitol ships homeported in Pearl Harbor and bands attached to shore installations in Hawaii. However, the final round was canceled after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. In previous rounds of the competition, bands played one swing number, a ballad, a specialty tune, and a song performed for a jitterbug contest.

On the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the entire USS Arizona band was at battle stations passing ammunition under gun turret number one. All band members were killed during the attack. The Battle of Music participants later decided to posthumously award that year’s tournament trophy to the band that had perished, Navy Band Unit 22. The award was renamed the Arizona Trophy.

Although Navy Bands don’t compete in official competitions in modern times, Mcclanahan said each band is proud of its performance.

“There is the usual organizational pride between each of the service bands,” he said. “We all believe that WE are the ones playing the right notes, the right way.”

In the decades after the attack on Pearl Harbor, band members have performed across Asia and the Pacific including in South Korea, Guam, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Australia.

On May 21, 2001, the band performed aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) for the premiere of the movie “Pearl Harbor.”

More recently, Mcclanahan shared how adjustments made during COVID-19 in 2021, created changes that are still delighting audiences. Since the band couldn’t perform in front of live audiences, the band needed another way to reach music goers, so they turned to video and social media.

A recent example of this is the “Let it Snow” music video, featuring music by Pau Hana Sound. Navy Music, U.S. Pacific Fleet Band’s higher command that governs all fleet bands in the District of Columbia and Annapolis, started an initiative to create music videos during COVID-19 when bands were unable to perform in-person for audiences. After social isolation requirements ended, the push for music videos continued with 12 Days of Navy Music, “an online musical extravaganza” of sacred and secular music performed by Navy Bands stationed at home and around the world that is released on YouTube and Facebook.

This year’s lineup featured “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” “Mele Kalikimaka,” “Carol of the Bells,” “Run, Run, Rudolph,” “O Christmas Tree,” “Must’ve Been Old Santa Claus,” excerpts from “The Nutcracker,” “Let It Snow,” and more.

Mcclanahan shared that many band members are from the continental U.S. and they decided to capture the feeling of a cold winter with an unexpected Hawaiian twist. The result was a new version of “Let It Snow” that mixes snow, nostalgia, and blue ocean backdrops of Pearl Harbor with a warm holiday sound that might have some pining for a cup of hot chocolate despite Hawaii’s balmy weather.

Reflecting on this and the ongoing work of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, Mcclanahan said he appreciates the steadfast dedication and professionalism of the band members, who inspire him and the American public – and he recognizes what a distinct privilege and incredible responsibility the band enjoys every day.

“I admire the skill and dedication that every Navy Musician brings to their jobs. It’s exciting to see these Sailors engage with audiences, especially the international audiences, and strengthen international relationships through cultural exchange,” said Mcclanahan. “They are ambassadors for the Navy and the United States of America. In many cases, the only Americans that our audience will ever meet is a Navy Musician. The members of the Pacific Fleet Band understand that is a huge responsibility and amazing honor.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SALEM, Ore  –  

Landing at the Portland Air National Guard Base on May 22, 1980, just four days after the massive eruption of Mount St. Helens in Southwest Washington, President Jimmy Carter arrived to personally survey the destruction of one of the greatest volcanic events ever recorded in North America. When the weather cleared the following day, President Carter, along with other federal and state officials, boarded a Marine helicopter and conducted a lengthy aerial examination over the Skamania County blast area; while also touring other impacted areas along the Columbia and Cowlitz Rivers.

“It is a horrible looking site. I don’t know if there is anything like it in the world,” he said, speaking briefly with a group of reporters after landing later at the Kelso-Longview Airport, Washington. “There’s nothing left but massive piles of mud and what used to be mountains…“There’s no way, I mean, to describe it. It’s an unbelievable sight.”

As for many around the nation, I included (having graduated High School the day before the eruption), who watched the images on television throughout that week – we’re left stunned by the ‘moon-like landscape’ of grayish ash, flattened trees, and swollen rivers.

Now, as the nation pauses to pay tribute to the life of the 39th President of the United States with his passing on December 29, 2024 at the age 100, as his legacy of civic, military, and humanitarian service; which resonated to communities and nations throughout the world, touched our own region over 44 years ago. He was the nation’s oldest living President.

‘There is nothing like this in the world’

In the weeks leading up to the eruption at 8:32 a.m. on May 18, 1980, the nation’s attention had already been focused on the seismic activities of the mountain. By this time, the Oregon Army National Guard’s 1042nd Military Intelligence (M.I.) Company (later reorganized as the 641st M.I. Battalion), were already flying, photographing and mapping reconnaissance missions, utilizing their OV-1 Mohawk aircraft as the bulging mountain with more frequent earthquakes had been intensifying since mid-March.

On the morning of the eruption, Mohawks were already in the air over S.W. Washington, as it was also a drill weekend for the unit. Ironically members of the Washington Army National Guard were conducting their own annual training, as aviation crews in Yakima could bear witness to the devastating flank collapse, avalanche, and explosion – were quick to respond, conducting search and rescue operations around the blast zone. National Guard members would be activated to help support the area’s recovery and clean-up operations for several months to follow. President Carter would later call these actions, “perhaps the National Guard’s finest peacetime response.”

The eruption of Mt. St. Helens was a significant historical incident – not only to the Pacific Northwest, but to the nation as a whole with ash covering nearly a dozen states. The devastation encompassed over 150 square miles and was the largest environmental disaster since the Dust Bowl of the 1930’s. President Carter also announced during his visit, a federal disaster area declaration, and met with hundreds of evacuated residents at the Longview Middle School, Washington, having escaped the volcano’s 26 megaton force. The massive wall of debris and choking ash killed 57 people and caused nearly $1.1 billion in property damage, while hindering the ports along the Columbia River basin.

Naval Officer and Valiant first responder

Prior to his election to the nation’s highest office, James Earl Carter, Jr., graduated from the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland in 1946, and to date, is the only president to have attended the U.S. Naval Academy. Within days of his graduation, he married Rosalynn Smith, having known since his childhood growing up in Plains, Georgia. The couple were married for more than 77 years at the time of her passing on Nov. 19, 2023 at the age 96, and together had four children.

When receiving their first duty stations, newly graduating midshipmen had to draw lots to determine their choice of assignments. Ensign Carter’s number was near the bottom and he would be assigned to the oldest navy ship in operation, the USS Wyoming, a battleship first commissioned in 1912. Within a year, he would be re-assigned to the USS Mississippi working as an Engineering officer, and subsequently was given a choice to advance to a specialized career in either intelligence, the naval air force, or submarines.

After being selected for the submarine program, he began the demanding training in New London, Connecticut in 1948. In his autobiography, “A Full Life, Reflections at Ninety,” Carter recounted the dangers and distinctive perils of submarine duty.

“Although some enlisted men could concentrate almost exclusively on their own fields of responsibility as engine men, electricians, torpedo experts, boatswains, quartermasters, gunners or operators of navigation and fire control equipment, every officer was expected to master all of these disciplines…we knew one mistake could endanger everyone aboard.”
Lieutenant Carter, now working in the emerging nuclear submarine program under Admiral Hyman Rickover, was being groomed as an engineering officer aboard the USS (SSN-575) Seawolf, just the Navy’s second nuclear submarine. In December of 1952, the Chalk Water nuclear reactor northwest of Ottawa, Canada, experienced a partial meltdown to the NRX reactor core when fuel rods began to overheat after a dual mechanical and operator error.

The Navy sent Carter and his crew to Chalk Water to repair the reactor, which required it to be shut down, taken apart and replaced. They built an identical replica of the reactor on an adjacent tennis court to precisely run through the repair procedures, due to the maximum time humans could be exposed to the levels of radiation present in the damaged area. Each member of the 22 member team could only be lowered into the reactor for 90-second periods to clean up and repair the site. Carter himself was lowered into the building to work on the reactor casing. When the mission was finally complete with no loss of life, the group was tested routinely for the long-term health effects.

“They let us [crew members] get probably a thousand times more radiation than they would now.” Carter said, reflecting on the incident during an interview with CNN in 2008. “We were fairly well-instructed then on what nuclear power was, but for about six months after that, I had radioactivity in my urine.”

Carter’s extensive knowledge and personal experience of nuclear reactors would later come into play when he became president. On March 28, 1979, an accident at the Three Mile Island, unit 2 reactor, near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, led to the partial core meltdown similar to the Chalk River incident. President Carter ordered phone lines set-up between the White House, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Pennsylvania State House, in Harrisburg, helping support early response actions, then the president personally toured the site five days later on April 1, boosting public confidence in the ongoing clean-up operations.

Legislator, Governor and President

When his father died during the summer of 1953, Lt. Carter would leave active duty to take over the family farming business back in his boyhood home of Plains. It was a difficult decision for the family, with an unknown future, but one that would take him to serve in local and state politics in Georgia. He won and held a State Senate seat from 1963 to 1967. After an unsuccessful campaign for Governor in 1966, he was elected in 1970 after a run-off against former Governor Carl Sanders. It was during his inaugural address on January 12, 1971, Carter publicly declared that…“I say to you quite frankly, that the time for racial discrimination is over.” He would continue to be an advocate of civil rights throughout his time in elected office and an advocate for human rights and democratic values.

In 1976, in the fallout of the Watergate scandal, Carter began an improbable run for the White House. He won both the Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire Democratic primaries, and eventually defeated President Gerald R. Ford, Jr., in the general election on November 2, 1976, garnering 297 electoral votes. While in office he created two new important cabinet positions; the Departments of Education and Energy, establishing a comprehensive energy program that would increase domestic oil production and focus on developing renewable sources. To highlight the point, he installed 32 solar panels to the White House, setting new goals to save energy while also boosting renewable sources by the turn of the century. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 24% of U.S. utility-scale electricity generation came from renewable sources in the first six months of 2024.

Like all former Presidents, his term in office from 1977 to 1981 has been debated by historians and political pundits; with extraordinary achievements, and with mixed results, interlinked among turbulent global events. He achieved an historic political agreement between Israel and Egypt during the Camp David accords in September of 1978, leading to a peace treaty the following year, yet his administration struggled under economic stagnation and inflation.

On November 4, 1979, militarized Iranian university students stormed the U.S. Embassy and held 52 American diplomats as hostages for 444 days, impeding his re-election bid in the process. Carter worked through the final hours of his Presidency as the hostages were released during the 49th Presidential Inauguration on January 20, 1981. As Ronald Reagan was sworn into office, now former President Carter flew to West Germany as a representative of the new President. When Carter arrived aboard Air Force One, he was greeted by West German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt at Rhein-Main Air Base.

Just a week before, as a young Army Private, I’d also traveled through Rhein-Main, en route to my new duty station. On January 21st, a group from our ‘Intel Shop’ listened on Armed Forces Radio as Carter arrived; then later meeting with the hostages at the U.S. Air Force hospital in Wiesbaden. It was a captivating moment of history. In the mess hall the next morning, we passed shared copies of ‘Stars and Stripes’ around the breakfast table.

“Wiesbaden, church bells pealed Wednesday morning to honor the 52,” wrote ‘Stars and Stripes’ reporter Bill Walker, describing the day’s events and the happy homecoming. “The crowd, estimated at 3,000, waved American flags and held signs that read, “Welcome Jimmy, you’re still number one with us,” and “We still love you, Mr. Carter.”

Recognition and a Greater sense of purpose

After leaving the White House, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter returned to Plains, where they established the Carter Center, and in 1986, led an international campaign to eradicate over 3.5 million cases of the Guinea worm disease in Asia and Africa. The disease has been reduced by more than 99 percent, with only 14 provisional cases in five countries in 2023. The Carter Center has also worked with the United National Electoral Assistance Division in over 110 nations, promoting democratic, transparent and fair elections. In 2002 President Carter was awarded The Nobel Peace Prize for his “decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” He is one of only four U.S. Presidents to receive this honor.

The U.S. Navy has recognized the former President Jimmy Carter with two distinct honors. On June 5, 2004, President Carter and his family attended the christening of the USS (SSN-23) Jimmy Carter, as former First Lady Rosalynn Carter sponsored the ship. It was the Navy’s third and final Seawolf-class nuclear-powered submarine. On February 17, 2023 the U.S. Naval Academy announced that Maury Hall on campus was now renamed to honor former President Jimmy Carter, and is part of the U.S. Congress commission on renaming military assets because of Confederate ties.

The author of over 30 published books, former President Carter also taught weekly Sunday school classes at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains for decades. It was in March of 1984, that Jimmy and Rosalynn first began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity. Together they worked in 14 countries; building, renovating and repairing over 4,300 homes. They worked until 2020 as volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, but while working on homes in Benton Harbor, Michigan, in summer of 2005, a distinct truckload of lumber arrived for building roof trusses.

“I was leading a group of volunteers on building Habitat for Humanity homes,” he detailed in his autobiography, “The lumber had been cut from new-growth trees from the base of Mount St. Helens, and the timber company wanted us to use it on these homes for poor families.”

In many ways, a most fitting and noble tribute to his humanitarian work, and long term vision when establishing the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in 1980.

Sources:
– “A Full Life: Reflections at Ninety,” by Jimmy Carter
– “Palestine: Peace not Apartheid,” by Jimmy Carter
– The Stars and Stripes Newspaper, “Thousands cheer hostages in emotional return to freedom,” by Bill Walker, Jan. 22, 1981
– KATU News archive, Portland, Oregon, May 22, 1980
– CBS 60 Minutes, “Jimmy Carter’s White House Diary,” 2010 interview with Lesley Stahl
– The Associated Press, “Naval Academy renames building after Jimmy Carter,” Feb. 17, 2023
– CNN Films’ ‘Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President’, Dec. 2020
– NuclearEnergy.net, “Nuclear Accident in Chalk River – Ontario, Canada”
– PBS, The American Experience, “Meltdown at Three Mile Island”
– The Carter Center, website
– The United States Naval Academy, website
– U.S. Energy Information Administration, (eia.gov) website
– CBS, ABC, NBC and CNN News archives/websites
– USDA Forest Service website
– Habitat for Humanity, website
– Maranatha Baptist Church, Plains, Georgia, website

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

WASHINGTON  –  

The State Funeral for former President Jimmy Carter continues tomorrow in Georgia and Washington, D.C.
 
Ceremonies celebrating and honoring the late president include: a departure ceremony from the Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta; a departure ceremony from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia; an arrival ceremony at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland; a funeral procession from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the U.S. Capitol; and an arrival ceremony and service at the U.S. Capitol. The day concludes with Carter lying in state at the U.S. Capitol from 7 p.m. to midnight.
 
The Carter Family invites the public to honor and celebrate the life of former President Carter tomorrow along the funeral procession route on Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues, and during lying in state at the U.S. Capitol.
 
In Washington, D.C., Carter’s grandchildren serve as honorary pallbearers and participate in ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol. A Special Honor Guard – consisting of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chief of Staff of the Army, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, the Chief of Naval Operations, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, the Chief of Space Operations, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, or their representatives – also participates in all D.C. ceremonies.
 
Full details on each ceremony site follow. Additional information regarding the official schedule of events and locations where the public may pay their respects are available at jtfncr.mdw.army.mil/statefunerals/.
 
Details on prohibited items and road closures, parking restrictions, transit impacts are available at nsse.dc.gov.
 
*Notes: All times are subject to change; the public should plan to be in place at least an hour in advance of announced times.
 
Carter Presidential Center
Public visitation of the late president lying in repose concludes at 7 a.m. The late president then departs from Carter Presidential Center following a ceremony in the Circle of Flags at approximately 11 a.m. Following the ceremony, the motorcade departs from the Carter Presidential Center to Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, at approximately 11:30 a.m.
 
Carter Center and Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum staff, volunteers, interns, graduate assistants, library docents, catering and Goodwill staff, and their families will pay their respects to the late president during the ceremony as they span the Circle of Flags and observe Carter’s final departure from his beloved Carter Presidential Center.
 
Sequence of events are as follows:

• Motorcade arrives and positions in the Circle of Flags at approximately 11 a.m.

• Military ceremonial troops march into position around 11:15 a.m.

• At approximately 11:30 a.m., the body bearers carry Carter’s remains out of the Carter Presidential Center.

• Ceremonial troops present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes, and Hail to the Chief). Immediately following honors, the 282nd Army Band begins playing Amazing Grace and then, Blessed Assurance. On the first note of the first hymn, the procession moves through the honor cordon, up the walkway to the Circle of Flags. Order of march: national color, clergy, body bearers carrying Carter’s remains, presidential color, and family with military escort.

• The body bearer team reaches the rear of the hearse and places the casket inside.

• Once the casket is placed in the hearse, the Carter Family loads into the motorcade and departs for Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia.

 
Dobbins Air Reserve Base
The late president and his family arrive at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Georgia, at 12:10 p.m., for a departure ceremony. Special guests invited by the Carter Family to observe the ceremony include friends of the Carters, The Carter Center Board of Councilors, Gov. Brian Kemp, and local elected officials. Immediately following the ceremony, the family boards Special Air Mission 39, flown by the Presidential Airlift Group of the 89th Airlift Wing, and departs the airfield for Washington, D.C., at 12:45 p.m.
 
Sequence of events are as follows:

• Motorcade arrives and positions on the flightline for the departure ceremony.

• Family disembarks from their vehicles and moves into position to observe the departure ceremony. Once family is in position, the body bearer team begin removing the casket from the hearse. 

• Ceremonial troops present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute).

• Immediately following honors, the U.S. Army’s Maneuver Center of Excellence Band begins playing Nearer My God, to Thee. On the first note of the hymn, the body bearer team carries the late president’s remains through the honor cordon to the aircraft loader. Order of march: national color, clergy, body bearer team with Carter’s remains, and presidential color. 

• The body bearers then place the casket on the aircraft loader, the casket moves out-of-sight, and the family begins to board the aircraft.

• Once the aircraft is ready, Special Air Mission 39 departs Dobbins Air Reserve Base for Washington, D.C.

 
Joint Base Andrews
Special Air Mission 39 arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, at approximately 2:15 p.m. where Carter’s remains are transferred with ceremony to the hearse. Immediately following the ceremony, the motorcade departs the airfield for the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.
 
Sequence of events are as follows:

• Special Air Mission 39 arrives, taxis, parks, and the aircraft loader and passenger stairs move into position.

• Ceremonial participants, including the Special Honor Guard, move into position.

• Family disembarks from the aircraft and moves into position to observe the arrival ceremony.

• The military body bearer team removes the casket from the aircraft loader.

• Ceremonial troops present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute).

• Immediately following honors, the U.S. Air Force Band begins playing Abide with Me. On the first note of the hymn, the body bearer team marches through the honor cordon and places the casket in the hearse. Order of march: national color, clergy, body bearers, and presidential color. 

• Once the casket is secure in the hearse, the family loads into the motorcade and departs the flightline for the U.S. Navy Memorial at approximately 2:45 p.m.

 
Funeral Procession
Carter and his family arrive at the U.S. Navy Memorial for a transfer ceremony and funeral procession up to the U.S. Capitol at 3:30 p.m. The casket transfer ceremony includes the transfer of Carter’s remains from the hearse to a horse drawn caisson, a formation of Midshipmen from the U.S. Naval Academy, and musical support from the U.S. Navy Band. Secretary of the Navy, The Honorable Carlos Del Toro, and Superintendent of the Naval Academy, Vice Adm. Yvette M. Davids, are also in attendance. Immediately following the transfer of Carter’s remains to a horse-drawn caisson is a funeral procession designed to mirror Carter’s inaugural parade where Carter and his family walked on foot from the U.S. Capitol to the White House on Jan. 20, 1977. The funeral procession includes: a military honor cordon lining Pennsylvania and Constitution Avenues; a military formation consisting of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and marching elements from each of the Armed Services in existence during Carter’s Administration; the motorcade; national and presidential colors; clergy; a horse-drawn caisson carrying Carter’s remains with military body bearers escorting; and a caparisoned horse. Members of the Carter Family will also walk behind the caisson as it makes it way from the U.S. Navy Memorial to the U.S. Capitol.
 
Sequence of events are as follows:

• Ceremonial participants move into position in front of the U.S. Navy Memorial.

• Clergy and the Special Honor Guard disembark from their vehicles and move to their positions.

• Motorcade arrives and positions in front of the U.S. Navy Memorial

• The military’s honor cordon lining the streets comes to attention.

• Family disembarks from their vehicles and move into position to observe the casket transfer ceremony. Once family is in position, the rear hearse door opens, and the body bearers and color teams move to the rear of the hearse.

• The casket is removed from the hearse. Ceremonial troops then present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes and Hail to the Chief).

• Immediately following honors, the U.S. Navy Band begins playing Just as I am, Without One Plea. On the first note of the hymn, the body bearer team moves to the caisson and places the casket on the caisson.

• Family members walking the procession route move into position while other family members return to their vehicles as the body bearer team secures the casket on the caisson.

• Once the caisson is secure, the Special Honor Guard returns to their vehicles and the clergy, national and presidential color teams, and the caparisoned horse move into position for the procession.

• The funeral procession begins. Order of march: Military Honor Guard, advance motorcade, National Color Guard, clergy, caisson with body bearer team, presidential color, caparisoned horse, and motorcade.

• The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” plays God Bless America, Flowers of the Forest, and Our Fallen Heroes as the funeral procession makes it way to the U.S. Capitol. As the late president moves through the Street Honor Cordon, military personnel render a hand salute until the caparisoned horse passes.

• The procession reaches the north barricade, and after a brief pause, moves onto the Capitol Plaza at approximately 4:10 p.m.

 
U.S. Capitol
Upon arrival at the U.S. Capitol, the late president is carried by military body bearers into the Rotunda where members of Congress will pay their respects during a service at 4:30 p.m. Invited dignitaries Vice President of the United States; members of Congress; the Supreme Court, Governors and the Mayor of DC, The Cabinet, the Diplomatic Corps, and the Joint Chiefs.
 
Senator John Thune, the Majority Leader of the U.S. Senate; Representative Mike Johnson, the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; and the Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris deliver eulogies and lay wreaths during the service. Musical selections include My Country, Tis of Thee and Eternal Father, Strong to Save (The Navy Hymn) sung by the U.S. Naval Academy Glee Club. The service also includes an invocation from Chaplain of the U.S. Senate Barry C. Black, and a benediction from the Chaplain of the U.S. House of Representatives, Margaret G. Kibben.
 
Additionally, prelude and postlude music for the service is performed by the U.S. Army Brass Quintet.
 
Sequence of events are as follows:

• Ceremonial participants move into position on the Capitol Plaza and along the steps leading up to the East Doors as the funeral procession reaches the north barricade.

• Advance motorcade arrives; the Special Honor Guard disembarks from their vehicles and move to their positions.

• The horse-drawn caisson moves onto the Capitol Plaza, followed by the motorcade.

• Family disembarks from their vehicles and moves into the U.S. Capitol while honorary pallbearers position at the base of the Capitol steps. Once the immediate family and honorary pallbearers are in position, ceremonial troops present arms and render honors (four Ruffles and Flourishes, Hail to the Chief, and a 21-gun salute).

• Immediately following honors, The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” begins playing God of our Fathers and then O God Our Help in Ages Past. On the first note of the first hymn, the body bearer team begins removing the casket from the hearse and marches towards the Capitol steps.

• As the procession reaches the steps, the Special Honor Guard and clergy move into position and the procession continues marching up the steps. The honorary pallbearers join the end of the procession once presidential colors pass them. At the top of the steps, the surviving members of Carter’s Cabinet and Carter Family follow the honorary pallbearers into the U.S. Capitol. Order of march: Special Honor Guard, national color, clergy, body bearers, presidential color, honorary pallbearers, surviving members of Carter’s Cabinet, and the Carter Family with military escort.

• The procession moves inside the U.S. Capitol and pauses once inside the East Doors to reposition and prepare to enter the Rotunda.

• The doors to the Rotunda open and the Special Honor Guard and clergy enter and move to their seats.

• Once the remaining procession is ready, the Rotunda doors open and the Senate and House Sergeants at Arms lead the body bearer team carrying the late president to the center of the Rotunda, the family follows and goes to their seats, and the body bearer team proceeds to the center of the Rotunda to place the casket on the Lincoln Catafalque.

• The body bearer team and national and presidential colors exit the Rotunda.

• A military guard of honor is posted, and the service begins.

• Upon conclusion of the service, the family exits the Rotunda and dignitaries in attendance file by the casket to pay their respects.

 
Carter then lies in state while the military maintains a guard of honor. The public is invited to pay their respects from 6 p.m. to midnight at the U.S. Capitol.
 
Additionally, at the invitation of the Carter Family, democratic and republican members of Capitol Hill and White House staff during the Carter Administration will pay their respects to the late president as he lies in state between 7 to 9 p.m.
 
Lines may be long, and all individuals are subject to a security search. Please allow for ample time for security procedures. Additional information on accessing the U.S. Capitol and prohibited items is available at nsse.dc.gov.
 
 
Editor’s notes:

1. Any media queries regarding the state funeral security plan or impacts should be directed to National Special Security Event Joint Information Center at nsse.jic@dc.gov.

2. All requests to cover the State Funeral arrival ceremony, service, and departure ceremony at the U.S. Capitol must be submitted to the Capitol Galleries at: Press Photographers Gallery, (202) 224-6548, press_photo@saa.senate.gov; Senate Radio-TV Gallery, (202) 224-6421, SenateRTVG@saa.senate.gov; Senate Daily Press Gallery (202) 224-0241, Senate_Press_Gallery@saa.senate.gov; Senate Periodical Press Gallery, (202) 224-0265, periodicals@saa.senate.gov.

3. The Carter Presidential Center is made up of The Carter Center, 453 John Lewis Freedom Parkway, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307, and The Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum, 441 John Lewis Freedom Parkway NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30307.

4. All street closures and listed times are subject to change based upon prevailing or unexpected conditions. A full list of closures is available at nsse.dc.gov.

5. The family’s official condolence book and a tribute to the life and legacy of former President Carter is available at www.jimmycartertribute.org.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif.  –  

The 418th Flight Test Squadron, Global Reach Combined Test Force, successfully supported the Missile Defense Agency and U.S. Department of Defense partners during a recent fight intercept experiment in Guam.

Announced Dec. 10 by the Missile Defense agency, the landmark test involved a live intercept of a ballistic missile target, marking the first Ballistic Missile Defense event executed from the territory.

During the flight experiment, the Aegis Guam System integrated with the new AN/TPY-6 radar and Vertical Launching System and fired a Standard Missile-3 Block IIA which intercepted an air-launched Medium Range Ballistic Missile target off the coast of Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The AN/TPY-6 radar tracked the target shortly after launch to intercept in the first end-to-end tracking use of the radar during a live ballistic missile flight test.

Designated Flight Experiment Mission-02, this test event marks a pivotal step taken in defense of Guam initiatives and partnerships and provides critical support to the overall concept, requirements validation, data-gathering and model maturation for the future Guam Defense System (GDS). The future is focused on defending Guam and protecting forces from any potential regional missile threats.

“This is a tremendous group effort and provides a glimpse of how organizations within the Department of Defense have come together to defend our homeland Guam now and, in the future,” said Lt. Gen. Heath Collins, MDA Director. “Collectively, we will use this to build upon and validate joint tracking architecture and integrated air and missile defense capabilities for Guam. Thanks to all of those involved, especially the people and government of Guam.”

When called upon, the 418th FLTS, a flight test squadron within the 412th Test Wing at Edwards Air Force Base, provides robust support for the Missile Defense Agency as the USAF’s recognized leader for developmental flight test and evaluation of mobility aircraft, experimental airdrop, and air refueling certification. With FEM-02’s strategic importance, MDA specifically requested to partner with the 418th FLTS to ensure the highest level of safe and successful test planning and execution within the C-17 enterprise.

The 418th took possession of an Air Mobility Command C-17 in November, with special instrumentation and maintenance teams modifying the aircraft to interface within the Medium Range Ballistic Missile Launch equipment. This allowed the C-17 to collect critical data during testing. The 412th Test Wing’s renowned safety and risk management process was simultaneously implemented to ensure every component was analyzed for maximum risk reduction.

“The 418th Flight Test Squadron and Global Reach Combined Test Force have partnered with MDA for over a decade, providing air-launch capabilities and airdropped threat-representative surrogate targets” notes Lt. Col. Daniel Edelstein, commander, 418th FLTS. “The 412th Test Wing is highly experienced with high-altitude, experimental airdrop test campaigns, and these tests are designed to stress the nation’s multi-domain ballistic missile defense systems. Our test aircrew, engineers, program management, and logistics support are second-to-none. We took great pride in providing risk-informed test expertise to our mission partners in support of a USINDOPACOM capabilities exercise with outsized strategic importance.”

FEM-02 is the first demonstration from Guam as part of the long-term initiative for the defense of the U.S. territory and will inform the larger effort to develop, install and operate GDS, which would be comprised of a combination of DoD service components working together to provide an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense system. Together, the DoD service components would develop and deploy a persistent layered integrated air and missile defense capability.

Within the context of homeland defense, a top priority for the Department of Defense, Guam is also a strategic location for sustaining and maintaining U.S. military presence, deterring adversaries, responding to crises, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.  –  

Three soldiers from the Australian Defense Force recently served in the most unique positions of their careers as key members of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Australian Army Maj. Jack Jones, Maj. George Lynn, and Maj. Rhys “Casper” Davies had the rare opportunity to deploy with “America’s Vanguard Force” to the Indo-Pacific region – all thanks to the Marine Corps Personnel Exchange Program.

The Exchange Program

“It was a dream job of mine to go through the exchange,” said Jones, who has spent most of his career serving in various logistics and operations billets. “The opportunity to work with Marines — understand the concepts of a MEU, mastering logistics — there were just so many checks in the box for me.”

The exchange program, commonly known as PEP, is a three year, one-for-one trade between Marines and personnel from allied militaries. Individuals in the program are placed in a billet aligned with their military occupational specialty, allowing them to learn new operating concepts, while also introducing previous experience from their home country. The program aims to improves the understanding between militaries, build upon the foundation of their partnership, and perhaps most importantly, enhance individuals’ skillsets to reinvest in each partner’s military for years to come.

For the Australian Army and the U.S. Marine Corps, the program is a near-perfect match. The two organizations share numerous similarities – a strategic importance placed on amphibious warfare, brotherhood and esprit de corps, Jones explained.

The U.S. and Australia’s shared history dates back to World War I. In the spirit of that tradition and in line with the PEP program, each officer was as fully integrated into the 15th MEU as any other service member.

“From the moment I arrived my family and I were welcomed with open arms,” said Lynn. “I was treated like one of their own, like a Marine.”

Operations and Logistics – Maj. Lynn and Maj. Jones

Lynn, Jones and Davies all served as foreign exchange officers within the 15th MEU, aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) during their deployment. Lynn and Jones, however, worked more closely together, both serving as part of the MEU’s command element.

The two Australians both served in key staff leadership roles. Having two PEPs serve in such senior billets with a MEU during an at-sea deployment was a rare opportunity for each officer and for the unit.

Jones served as the assistant logistics officer, the second-most senior logistics billet within the MEU command element, assisting in controlling movements, transportation, and supplies.

Lynn, on the other hand, served as the assistant operations officer of the 15th MEU, a vital billet driving the daily and long-term operations of entire Marine Air-Ground Task Force, comprising various elements and 2,500 Marines and Sailors. As the assistant operations officer, Lynn played an outsized role in the planning of operations, exercises, and managing MEU’s daily battle rhythm alongside its Navy counterparts.

The two got to work as soon as they arrived, leading Marines and driving efforts during major exercises such as Tiger Strike 24 in Malaysia, SSang Yong 24 in South Korea, and KAMANDAG 8 in the Philippines. Jones and Lynn each said the highlight of the 15th MEU’s deployment was supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) efforts in foreign disaster response operations following Super Typhoon Krathon, which struck the northern provinces of the Philippines Sept. 30.

As Jones headed the logistics officer billet leading up to the foreign disaster response operation in the Philippines, both first-time experiences for the Australian, he was effectively thrown into the fire, he said. Others may have felt the intense pressure of being in a new environment amid a crisis response – but not Jones. Leading MEU logistical efforts during the multi-day operation, his leadership and performance earned admiration from the Marines his section and across the command.

“Dealing with emergent operational requirements are difficult for even the most trained logistician,” said Maj. Andrew Lark, the 15th MEU logistics officer. “Although not familiar with [humanitarian and disaster relief] operations, he demonstrated attention to detail and constant communication of MEU-related requirements within the force. He expertly managed the HADR requirements from across the MAGTF and provided sound solutions for the forces executing ashore. His fresh perspective of the HADR operations provided updates to both the logistics standard operating procedures and the MEU SOP writ-large for support operations in INDOPACOM.”

Lynn reflected similar thoughts about the MEU’s time in the Philippines.

“We rapidly transitioned from planning for complex amphibious bilateral training, to providing critical supplies to affected communities,” said Lynn, whose operations planning also supported HADR efforts. “Working with our partners from the Philippines, we were able to make a significant humanitarian contribution to those affected by Super Typhoon Krathon in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands.”

As leaders within their respective sections, their Marines saw Lynn and Jones’ actions firsthand, directly impacting MEU plans and operations to deliver critical aid to those in need. At this point in the 15th MEU’s deployment, they had been integrated to the point that Marine Corps culture and standard operating procedures essentially became second nature to them.

“Maj. Lynn flawlessly integrated within our section and the greater 15th MEU staff upon arrival,” said Lt. Col. Mark Peters, the 15th MEU operations officer. “His quick grasp of Marine Corps doctrine and operational concepts, while also inserting his own expertise into the planning process was instrumental to the success of our team throughout our deployment.”

Despite this, the two Australians never forgot about home, always going back to each other to talk about their roots.

“It was nice to have another mate on ship,” admitted Jones. “Being able to go back to another Australian and talk about what’s going on back in our country, make inside jokes, and just generally talk about our day, it was like a piece of home to go back to.”

The Pilot – Maj. Rhys “Casper” Davies

Davies, an AH-1Z Viper pilot and an operations officer with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th MEU, had a more “exciting” role within the MAGTF, as some might think.

Back in Australia, Davies flew the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance helicopter with 16th Aviation Brigade, 1st Aviation Regiment. Naturally, upon arriving at VMM-165 Davies found himself in a familiar assignment with the MEU as a pilot. This time, however, he’d be required to learn the ins and outs of the AH-1Z Viper, an aircraft that neither he nor any Australian pilot currently flies.

Manning a completely new aircraft wasn’t anything he couldn’t handle – accepting that challenge was exactly what he wanted as a PEP.

“I honestly love flying, especially foreign aircraft,” said Davies. “Going through the exchange program was best for my professional development as a pilot, and thinking about those two factors made it a whole lot easier.”

The two aircraft share similar mission sets and capabilities, which made training a seamless task for Davies.

“We’ve been passing information and tactics through the exchange program for so long that it’s easy to be on the same page,” said Davies. “It’s helped not only me, but our allies grow.”

His personal highlight during deployment was his time aboard the expeditionary sea base USS Miguel Keith (ESB 5), the first time an entire Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron detachment of H-1 helicopters embarked an ESB. During their time aboard Miguel Keith, the detachment conducted multiple day and night flight and live-fire operations – solely coordinated by VMM-165, and especially Davies.

“It was certainly a lot of responsibility, but thankfully I felt like I was just one of the guys on the operations team,” admitted Davies. “No one really treated me different or went ‘oh, that’s the Australian’. They took me in as one of their own right away and we conducted business as usual.”

Davies, echoing similar sentiments from Lynn and Jones, said he’ll never forget being a part of the 15th MEU and the Marines he served with during their deployment.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to deploy with the MEU and the time and patience the Marines showed me,” admitted Davies. “They didn’t have to do that, yet they did. That’s all part of the Marine Corps culture that I learned here, and I hope we keep in touch.”

After their time with the 15th MEU, the Australians will report back to their commands, taking with them their experiences serving with the Marine Corps and its culture, while also leaving a lasting impression on the Marines they served with. For these three Australians, the exchange program was more than just advancing their career and learning new tactics and strategies. Their time deployed was a means to create bonds and friendships with Marines that will stick with them forever – a true testament to the Australia-U.S. Alliance.