Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines  –  

U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt IIs assigned to the 25th Fighter Squadron completed a Dynamic Force Employment exercise with the Philippine Air Force at Clark Air Base, Philippines, Dec. 9-13, 2024. U.S. Pacific Air Forces Airmen conducted integrated training with Philippine Air Force Airmen, offering pilots and maintenance teams a valuable opportunity to strengthen shared skills and enhance the two forces’ interoperability.

Dynamic Force Employment, or DFE, is an operational strategy across the Joint Force to remain strategically predictable, but operationally unpredictable, in an ever-evolving, challenging, and contested environment.

The bilateral training conducted with the Philippine Air Force consisted of pilots, maintainers, and other support assets, utilizing the minimal amount of personnel and equipment possible to conduct flight operations within the Philippines at different spoke locations. The hub and spoke training missions demonstrated the combined air forces’ ability to rapidly project air power and sustain such flight operations across dispersed locations.

“DFE’s are important because it allows us to project airpower at the time and place of our choosing with as small footprint as possible at the location we conduct these DFE’s at,” said Maj. Gregory St. Clair, Pacific Air Forces chief of future operations. “In addition to that it allows us to train closely with our allies and partners which is our greatest strength.”

The exercise reinforced the two nation’s defense partnership and commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. The successful completion of this DFE marks another milestone in U.S.-Philippine military enhanced cooperation.

“Flying with the Philippine Air Force has been incredible, I was blown away by how willing they were to work and engage with us to continue to strengthen this alliance we have in the Indo-Pacific,” said Capt. Ben Burmester, 25th Fighter Squadron project officer. “We continue to promote stability and freedom to all our partners in the region”

The U.S. Air Force and Philippine Air Force worked together through bilateral training and subject matter expert exchanges to promote interoperability, strengthening our alliance and enhancing security and stability within the Indo-Pacific region.

“The main goal of this DFE was to show we are super close with our allies and partners so that we can train and be effective together,” said St. Clair. “DFE’s are not a new concept and we will continue to do them in the future and we’re only going to get stronger by continuing to do them.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

YOKOSUKA, Japan  –  

The U.S. Navy qualified the first Royal Australian Navy officer on a nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarine at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Dec. 12. In a pier-side ceremony, Rear Adm. Chris Cavanaugh, commander, Submarine Group 7 awarded Royal Australian Navy Lt. Cmdr. James* the first U.S. Navy Submarine Warfare Device earned by a Royal Australian Navy submariner.

James earned the warfare device, or “dolphins”, while embarked aboard the Virginia-class fast-attack submarine USS Vermont (SSN 792) during a deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, demonstrating another significant milestone for the Australia, United Kingdom, United States (AUKUS) trilateral security partnership.

“It is always an honor to pin dolphins on a Sailor’s uniform and welcome them into an elite community of undersea warfighters,” said Cavanaugh. “Today’s pinning represents the strength of the alliance and our continued progress under the AUKUS agreement. This was an historic pinning, but it is only the first of many to come.”

In order to qualify, a Sailor must exhibit a strong understanding of all submarines systems, compartments, and equipment. James had already qualified on a diesel electric Collins-class submarine but was the first Royal Australian Navy submariner to qualify on a nuclear-powered Virginia-class submarine.

“All of the extra sensors that the boat has, and the fact that we can remain deployed for so long at such high speeds will be game changing for Australia,” said James. “[Qualifying] is a culmination of a lot of hard work and a lot of support from the crew. I’m incredibly thankful to everybody that has supported me through this adventure. And it makes me incredibly proud to serve both my navy and your navy.”

There are currently more than 100 Royal Australian Navy officers in the U.S. Navy submarine training pipeline or assigned to U.S. Virginia-class SSNs. Military training efforts under the AUKUS Pillar 1 effort are designed to enable Australia to operate, maintain, and support a sovereign fleet of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines to deter aggression and enhance stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Vermont, part of Submarine Squadron 1, has been on deployment since it departed its homeport of Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 8, and arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, Dec. 9, for a port visit.

Submarine Group 7 directs forward-deployed, combat capable forces across the full spectrum of undersea warfare throughout the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea.

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

*Per Royal Australian Navy protocols, submariners’ last names are not publicly released.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 7, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/SG-7

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

BANGKOK, Thailand  –  

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joins Royal Thai Air Force Assistant Commander in Chief Air Chief Marshal Sakesan Kantha for a group photo at the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters in Bangkok, Dec. 17, 2024. The visit included exchanges on regional security and expanded the scope and complexity of the strong U.S.-Thai relationship, which dates back to 1833. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

BANGKOK, Thailand  –  

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, joins senior U.S. and Royal Thai Armed Forces leaders for a group photo during the Senior Leader Dialogue at the RTARF headquarters in Bangkok, Dec. 17, 2024. The visit included exchanges on regional security and expanded the scope and complexity of the strong U.S.-Thai relationship, which dates back to 1833. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

BANGKOK, Thailand  –  

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, is welcomed by Chief of Defence for the Royal Thai Armed Forces Gen. Songwit Noonpackdee with an honors ceremony at the Royal Thai Armed Forces headquarters in Bangkok, Dec 16, 2024. The visit included exchanges on regional security and expanded the scope and complexity of the strong U.S.-Thai relationship, which dates back to 1833. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam  –  

The United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Pacific Brass Quintet, toured the southern Mariana Islands with an arrangement of holiday music performances for the community, Dec. 2-10.

Pacific Brass made stops at local middle schools and high schools in Saipan, Tinian and Guam where they performed a number of holiday classics and original compositions, workshopped with band students, and shared some career experiences.

Their motto, “Partnerships Through Music,” came to fruition as each rendition of familiar songs connected and captivated their audiences.

“When you start making music, all division around the world stops,” said Staff Sgt Colby Parker, regional band tuba and music director for Pacific Brass Quintet.

The band consists of a tuba, a French horn, two trumpets, and a trombone. This was their third year visiting Guam as part of Operation Christmas Drop and the first year visiting Saipan and Tinian. In Guam, they performed at Okkodo High School and Untalan Middle School.

“I was overwhelmed with emotions, it was really inspiring,” said He’vea Santos, a senior at Okkodo High School in Guam. “I want to be as cool as that and have a job that spreads cheer.”

The band is integral in the U.S. Air Force’s community relations efforts in the Pacific and Asia. Their music is often times a first impression of the U.S. military for some people, offering an alternate perspective to what the media might portray.

Maximo Ronquillo Jr., band director at Okkodo High School and founder of the Guam National Guard 721st Army Band, was eager to host Pacific Brass and share the same connection to music in the military with his students.

“As musicians in the service, we have the privilege of being the soul of the military,” said Ronquillo. “And we play the soul of our country.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SOUTH KOREA  –  

In the spirit of the holiday season, senior leaders and staff from Eighth Army visited the children of Namsan-won Orphanage in Seoul, South Korea, on Dec. 13, 2024. They continued the tradition of delivering Christmas gifts to the children. Eighth Army’s G9 Civil Affairs Directorate organized this year’s event.

The visit was led by Eighth Army commanding general, Lt. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, his wife, Kimberly LaNeve, senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Robin Bolmer, and Eighth Army Republic of Korea deputy commanding general, Brig. Gen. Sang Min Lee. Their presence reinforced the strong bond between the United States and Republic of Korea, a partnership rooted in mutual support and shared history.

Namsan-won Orphanage, located near Namsan Tower in the heart of Seoul, was established during the Korean War in 1951. Originally built by Soldiers from Eighth Army and the Republic of Korea Army, the orphanage served as a sanctuary for children of Korean Soldiers and policemen who lost their lives during the war. The original building, designated as a historical heritage site by the city of Seoul, continues to house and care for 33 children, ranging from six years old to teenagers.

Eighth Army has continued to support Namsan-won since its founding. Over the years, numerous senior Eighth Army leaders and distinguished guests such as the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have visited to demonstrate their commitment to the orphanage. The annual visits and donations are part of Eighth Army’s Good Neighbor Program, which aims to strengthen the enduring United States-Republic of Korea Alliance while fostering goodwill within the local community.

Eighth Army’s enduring dedication to Namsan-won Orphanage continues to highlight the importance of unity, service, and the lasting bonds of friendship forged through a shared history.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SIHANOUKVILLE, Cambodia – The Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Savannah (LCS 28) arrived in Sihanoukville, Cambodia for a port visit, Dec. 16.

Savannah’s visit to Cambodia demonstrates the growth of the U.S. and Cambodia relationship, rooted in strong historical and cultural linkages.

“Thank you to the people of Sihanoukville for their warm welcome to the Savannah team,” said Cmdr. Dan Sledz, commanding officer of Savannah. “Cambodia is a key partner for us in the region, and this port visit provides us an important opportunity to meet with local leaders.”

It is the first U.S Navy ship to visit the Kingdom of Cambodia after eight years.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to Singapore.

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

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SAGAMIHARA, KANAGAWA, Japan  –  

U.S. Army military police (MP) with the 382nd Military Police Detachment and 422nd Military Police Company, both with 96th Military Police Battalion, 11th Military Police Brigade, flew halfway across the globe this December to support Yama Sakura 87, an annual trilateral training exercise involving U.S. Joint Forces, the Japan Self-Defense Force and the Australian Defence Force.

Members of the MPs provided law and order and security for the military service members training on Sagami General Depot, a U.S. Army post located in the city of Sagamihara, Japan. They deployed not only to support this exercise, but also to validate their own unit’s capabilities and prepare for future deployments.

“Building cohesiveness with a local force is truly a great task,” said 1st Sgt. Brian Reaber, a military police officer assigned to the 422nd MP Company. “Our primary job is going out into the field and doing missions that require training other entities, such as local governments or countries. Right now, we are working the roads as a law enforcement entity; it’s our first mission for future potential deployment going overseas.”

Reaber filled the role of provost sergeant during this exercise, the overall senior enlisted advisor to the commander and provost marshal. As a first sergeant, Reaber is also responsible for the overall training of the company.

The MPs conducted patrols and other related law enforcement duties while collaborating with gate guards, local nationals, Japanese contractors and the Japanese National Police during the Yama Sakura 87 exercise, said Reaber.

According to Sgt. Austin Thom, a military police officer assigned to the 382nd MP Detachment, MPs at Sagami General Depot worked with the Japanese National Police (JNP) to investigate a traffic collision that took place just outside the front gate. He found the JNP to be very thorough and well trained.

“Community relations is a very big thing – understanding the people you are working with,” said Spc. Bailey Rethaber, a military police officer assigned to the 422nd MP Company. “Not only military members, but (also) civilians.”

On patrol, MPs regularly return baseballs, softballs, soccer balls that have been hit over base fences to local national children playing sports at a bordering community park.

“It feels good to not always be in the headspace of: ‘I’m just here for law and order’ but helping the community in standard ways with anything they need is really nice,” said Rethaber.

According to Captain Alexander Lopez, the commander of the 422nd MP Company, in-country MPs from the 88th and 901st Military Police Detachments brought stun gun training, military working dog handling training and upcoming oleoresin capsicum (also known as pepper) spray training to the MPs stationed at Sagami General Depot. Training in Japan is a great opportunity because it allows the MPs experience working with local nationals in an area different from the United States.

Spc. Samiya Soutien, a military working dog handler assigned to the 901st MP Detachment, and her military working dog Malna, a Belgian Malinois, conducted a controlled drug and explosives detection exercise on several vehicles at Sagami General Depot.

“Canines can be utilized for multiple things… (Such as) either patrol or detention. We have two different types of canines: explosives or drugs,” said Spc. Soutien. “We are also tracker certified with our dogs, so we can do tracking, scouting and building searches.”

Regularly training military working dogs for explosive hazard detection in different environments is key to prepare them for explosive detection, as repeated training in similar environments may train them to only search for specific stimuli. Because of this, training in as many new environments as possible leads to a higher hazard detection success rate.

“Doing this exercise builds a whole new understanding of how to do law enforcement in a whole different environment,” said Lopez. “Especially when it’s not your country of origin, it gives you an understanding of what the community relies on and what they believe is right or wrong. Being able to respect other people’s customs and courtesies, as well as making sure you do your job and enforce the law and keep order, is extremely important.”

Spc. Christopher Herrera, a military police officer assigned to the 382nd MP Detachment, has been able to meet people from different backgrounds here in Japan. The level of respect and politeness the local nationals had for everyone around them was different from what he’s experienced in the states.

“You’re on an American base, in a foreign country,” said Herrera. “We have to understand that there is a different set of laws and agreements between the two countries and they have to be observed in a certain way while you’re on assignment here on the base, and also when you’re off duty, outside the base.”

From going on patrols, conducting military police training, and interacting with both military members and civilian entities, military police at Sagami Depot have earned respect and trust in the community, which is the foundation of establishing law and order.

“Our role is to build a sustainable bond between us and the Japanese,” said Reaber. “We want to make sure that we have good connections and leadership today and maintain connections in the future.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP ASAKA, Japan  –  

Yama Sakura 87 comes to an end with service members from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, the Australian Defence Force, and America’s First Corps gathering to take part in the event’s closing ceremony held at Camp Asaka, Japan, Dec. 14.

Following the ceremony, a trilateral statement commemorating the success of the exercise among the three nations stated:

“We have just concluded another successful trilateral Yama Sakura exercise involving service members from Japan, the United States of America and Australia. This exercise allows us to improve our joint human, procedural and technical interoperability and enhance our collaboration among Cross-Domain Operations and Multi-Domain Operations. Yama Sakura’s greatest achievement is its longevity, a legacy of growth and relationships forged over 40 years between our countries. We look forward to all the exercises to come rekindling these friendships and applying the lessons learned together.” Yama Sakura, One Team!

The trilateral command post exercise is the cornerstone event of the U.S. Army’s Pacific’s Operation Pathways series, demonstrating America’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

The exercise saw a lot of firsts for the exercise including the first-ever U.S. Army Warfighter held in Japan, and the first Warfighter concurrent with Yama Sakura.

More than 7,000 service members from the three Allied and partnered nations participated in the 10-day exercise. The trilateral exercise spread across three nations, six locations and 17 time zones.

Additionally, the exercise saw the following nations invited as observers for future participate in exercises like Yama Sakura to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific: The Philippines, India, Singapore, France, The United Kingdom and Canada.

The exercise leveraged new concepts and ideas to enhance the interoperability and combined readiness among the Allied and partnered nations.

The closing ceremony ended with a recognition ceremony for service members from each nation. Commanders from each nation presented coins of excellence to the service members followed by a gift exchange between the Allied and partnered nations.

Since its first iteration in 1982, Yama Sakura has demonstrated a continued commitment by both the United States and Japan to work together as dedicated Allies in support of the U.S.-Japan security treaty and for continued peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.