Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  –  

Nearly 1,400 U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Sailors assigned to the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) will participate in the 29th biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 from June 27 to Aug. 1, around the Hawaiian Islands.

Participants will base operations on the island of Oahu, with many disembarking USS Somerset.

Initiated in 1971, RIMPAC is the largest international maritime exercise. This year’s iteration will include 29 nations, 40 surface ships, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel.

“For the first five months of our deployment we traveled all over the Indo-Pacific, conducting training with great partners. Now it’s our turn to be the hosts,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Lindsay Mathwick, commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th MEU, and commander of troops aboard Somerset. “At RIMPAC, we will apply lessons learned throughout our deployment, in our largest exercise yet, truly challenging our ability to operate as a combined, joint force across a wide array of military training scenarios.”

RIMPAC 2024 aims to provide realistic training that enhances participants’ ability to efficiently plan and integrate complex joint maritime operations using both live and virtual environments. The exercise fosters a network of prepared partners, strengthening collective forces to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Training will be separated into three phases: harbor phase, force integration training phase, and tactical training phase.

The harbor phase will concentrate on basic skills training packages such as land navigation, patrolling, jungle survival, and precision fires training from June 27 to July 8. In this phase, Marines and Sailors will integrate with partners and share best practices to enhance individual skills.

The force integration training (FIT) phase will emphasize combined fire team and squad-level attacks, amphibious assault operations, a close air support exercise, and crew-served weapons live-fire ranges from July 8 to 20. The FIT phase will challenge partner nations to establish and refine combined communication capabilities and standard operating procedures while operating at the unit level.

The tactical training phase will serve as the culminating event of the exercise, highlighted by a combined, joint amphibious assault, followed by stability operations, which will include training scenarios across various levels of military conflict, July 21 to 29. Partner nations will conduct planning from aboard, and across, ships, conduct ship-to-shore movement, and secure both at sea and ashore objectives.

Participating forces include three companies from Battalion Landing Team 1/5 — two air assault companies and a light armored reconnaissance company — along with a logistics platoon, a maintenance detachment from Combat Logistics Battalion 15, four CH-53E Super Stallions from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), a reconnaissance platoon, and key personnel from the 15th MEU’s command element specializing in intelligence, communications, and information operations.

This marks the seventh RIMPAC exercise for the 15th MEU and Somerset team during its deployment to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations. The 15th MEU and Somerset team is a flexible, self-sustained crisis response force, capable of conducting a range of operations from combat to humanitarian aid and disaster relief. This team is the premier crisis-response force in the Indo-Pacific region and is currently operating in U.S. 3rd Fleet.

As an integral part of U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides realistic training necessary to flawlessly execute our Navy’s timeless roles of sea control and power projection. U.S. 3rd Fleet works in close coordination with other numbered fleets to provide commanders with capable, ready forces to deploy forward and win in day-to-day competition, in crisis, and in conflict.

​For more information related to 15th MEU activities and imagery, please contact 1st Lt. Robbie Nanna, Communication Strategy and Operations Deputy, 15th MEU, at robert.nanna@usmc.mil or (760) 681-1267. For more RIMPAC 2024 information and updates, visit https://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac/. Any additional questions or queries should be sent to rimpac.media@gmail.com.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAM RANH INTERNATIONAL PORT, Vietnam  –  

The U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche arrived in Cam Ranh, Vietnam for a five-day joint Navy – Coast Guard routine port visit on July 8.

During the port visit, 7th Fleet, USS Blue Ridge and CGC Waesche leadership will meet with the Vietnam People’s Navy, Vietnam Coast Guard, and Khanh Hoa leadership. Events during the visit include subject matter expert exchanges and community relations activities.

Crew members and the 7th Fleet staff will participate in community relations and cultural events to give back to the community and engage with the people of Khanh Hoa to further strengthen U.S.-Vietnam relations in line with the U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

As the 7th Fleet flagship, Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy. This is the second time the USS Blue Ridge has come to Vietnam since the United States and Vietnam established diplomatic relations in 1995.

​The 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

The Department of Defense (DoD), in close coordination with the Government of Japan, today announced a plan to upgrade U.S. tactical aircraft laydown across multiple military installations in Japan.

The modernization plan, which will be implemented over the next several years, reflects over $10 billion of capability investments to enhance the U.S.-Japan Alliance, bolster regional deterrence, and strengthen peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Air Force will upgrade its presence at Kadena Air Base by deploying 36 F-15EX aircraft to replace 48 F-15C/D aircraft as part of a planned divestment and modernization. The Joint Force will continue to maintain a rotational presence of 4th and 5th generation tactical aircraft at Kadena Air Base throughout this transition.

The U.S. Air Force will also upgrade its presence at Misawa Air Base from 36 F-16 aircraft to 48 F-35A aircraft, leading to greater tactical aircraft capacity and capability.

At Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, the U.S. Marine Corps will modify the number of F-35B aircraft to support the Service’s force design modernization implementation. The U.S. Marine Corps will continue to maintain an enduring and rotational aircraft presence at MCAS Iwakuni to ensure the necessary capabilities to support the defense of Japan.

​The Department’s plan to station the Joint Force’s most advanced tactical aircraft in Japan demonstrates the ironclad U.S. commitment to the defense of Japan and both countries’ shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PACIFIC OCEAN  –  

West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operators participated in fleet interoperability training off the coast of Southern California June 24, focusing on increasing warfighting capabilities in the maritime domain.

The training involved aircraft from Commander, U.S. Naval Air Forces and the Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772), assigned to Commander Submarine Squadron 11 (CSS-11).

“This training opportunity provided the submarine warfighters aboard USS Greeneville the opportunity to practice a unique capability,” said Capt. Kenneth Douglas, Commander, Submarine Squadron 11. “Expanding joint interoperability capabilities effectively demonstrates our asymmetric advantage on and under the world’s oceans and I look forward to continued training events with our Naval Special Warfare operators.”

During the training, Naval Special Warfare (NSW) operators performed a military freefall and conducted an airborne drop of combat rubber raiding crafts (CRRC) off the coast of Southern California. Following this, the NSW operators rendezvoused with Greeneville at a designated location before returning to shore.

“Undertaking an operation of this caliber highlights the indispensable role that NSW and the submarine force play within the joint force,” said Capt. Blake L. Chaney, Commander, Naval Special Warfare Group 1. “By synchronizing our operations, activities and investments, we not only bolster fleet lethality but also provide substantial value in securing access to either denied or contested areas.”

Engaging in ongoing training with Naval Special Warfare and Commander Submarine Squadron 11, ensures that the U.S. Naval force is well-prepared to tackle the challenges of a dynamic and competitive maritime environment.

CSS-11 is home to five Los Angeles-class fast attack submarines, which are capable of supporting various missions, including: anti-submarine warfare; anti-ship warfare; strike warfare; and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

​Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

---

---

---

---

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

---

---

---

---

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

---

---

---

---

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Military Sealift Command will support the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 maritime exercise though out the month of July in Hawaii.

MSC fleet replenishment oilers USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) and the MSC dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11) will provide logistics services including aviation fuel, diesel ship fuel, dry, fresh and frozen food equipment and supplies to the ships participating in the exercise.

MSC chartered tanker ships MT Overseas Mykonos and MT Allied Pacific will provide fuel to the MSC combat logistics ships during replenishment-at-sea events. With the closing of the Navy’s The Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, the tanker replenishment events will allow the CLF ships to receive fuel at sea, enabling them to provide logistic services to exercise participants as needed, without delay.

MSC rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51) will deliver two decommissioned Navy ships to the designated target area in preparation for sinking exercises (SINKEX); amphibious transport dock Ex-Dubuque (LPD 8) and amphibious assault ship Ex-Tarawa (LHA 1).

Five members of Military Sealift Command Pacific’s (MSCPAC) Headquarters Unit are serving as watch standers, providing maritime logistics support to Commander, Task Group 173. These reservists, alongside will providing comprehensive planning and coordination for each replenishment-at-sea conducted during the exercise, including arranging and coordinating rendezvous locations and times for MSCs CLF ships and MSC chartered tankers. In addition, the Reservists will coordinate towing operations Grasp.

At sea, 24 members of MSC Cargo Afloat Rig Team (CART) will support at-sea logistics operations in support of the exercise, training and working hand-in-hand with the civil service mariner crews in order to meet the huge underway replenishment demands of keeping the ships of the 29 participating nations supplied and moving.

“MSC and our crews of highly professional civilian mariners are proud to be a part of RIMPAC 2024,” said Leonard Bell, Deputy to the Commodore, Military Sealift Command Pacific. “This is a great opportunity for us to not only demonstrate our logistics capabilities, but to work and learn from our foreign Navy partners in an at-sea environment. In today’s challenging environments, exercises such as RIMPAC allow us to foster goodwill and relationships with like-minded partners, ensuring safe seas for military and commercial sailing.”

​Hosted biennially by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (PACFLT), and executed by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet (C3F), RIMPAC is a multinational maritime exercise that takes place in and around the Hawaiian Islands. This year marks the 29th iteration of RIMPAC, a series that began in 1971 and is scheduled to take place from June 26 to August 2. Approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel are scheduled to participate. This year’s exercise will include units or personnel from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States. RIMPAC is a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosted more than 70 senior joint-force leaders for two days of engagements focused on the new Indo-Pacific strategy, capabilities, and force posture at Headquarters, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, July 1-2, 2024.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  –  

Arctic Defender, a German Air Forces-led exercise, is scheduled to begin July 8 with primary flight operations over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex and is scheduled to run through July 18.

As part of a monthslong exercise tour in the Indo-Pacific, known as Pacific Skies 24, Arctic Defender is the first stop for the trinational Future Combat Air System of Germany, France and Spain, and is a field training exercise for U.S. and international forces flown under simulated air combat conditions.

“With Pacific Skies 24, we as Europeans show our face in a part of the world that is so important to all of us. Together with Spain and France, we are deploying to the Indo-Pacific region and taking part in five different exercises,” said Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz, German Air Force service chief.

Approximately 500 multilateral service members are expected to fly, maintain and support more than 60 aircraft from 12 units scheduled to participate, enabling them to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability with American Airmen from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and Eielson Air Force Base, and U.S. Marines with Headquarters, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 (Reinforced), MAG-11, both at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California.

​Arctic Defender training spans from individual skills to complex, large-scale joint engagements in the more than 77,000 square miles of airspace in the JPARC, which is the largest combat training range in the world.