Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SANTA RITA, Guam  –  

Capt. Rob Kistner took command of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam from Capt. Nick Simmons in a change of command ceremony at Victor Pier in Apra Harbor, Guam, on May 23, 2024.

Rear Adm. Michael Day, U.S. Coast Guard 14th District commander, presided over the ceremony.

Hailing from Tallahassee, Florida, Capt. Simmons is a 2002 U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduate with a degree in government, emphasizing international relations. After three years as the commander, he leaves Guam to rejoin the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters staff as the chief of the Office of Budget and Programs (CG-82).

Under his leadership since June 2021, the team robustly embodied the guiding principles of ‘People Fundamentally, Unit Resolutely, Mission Relentlessly,’ demonstrating substantial operational capability and regional collaboration. Under effective leadership, they responded to 1,593 search and rescue operations, saving 548 lives and nearly $2 million in property while providing crucial non-maritime medical evacuations in the Northern Mariana Islands. Additionally, the team expanded by 40 percent to support new Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) and the establishment of Base Guam.

A core focus has been on enhancing partnerships with Compact of Free Association nations by signing and exercising two enhanced bilateral agreements. This initiative, alongside the first operational patrols under a new agreement with Papua New Guinea, significantly advanced regional maritime security and reinforced commitments to safety and good maritime governance across the Pacific. The FRCs notably increased the U.S. Coast Guard’s Pacific presence and impact, strengthening regional ties and patrolling over 60,000 nautical miles annually. These efforts include delivering tens of thousands of pounds of aid and conducting shared operations and exercises with 10 Pacific nations and local, federal, and joint force partners.

The sector’s prompt and efficient response to Super Typhoon Mawar in May 2023 highlighted operational excellence. Quick action ensured the restoration of critical infrastructure and the continuity of Guam’s port operations—essential to the regional economy. The team excelled in over 1,300 exercises, exams, boardings, responses, and investigations annually, bolstering the maritime transportation system and environmental stewardship, crucial for sustaining Guam as a strategic Pacific hub. Through robust strategic communication and community engagement, the team increased its visibility. It affirmed the U.S. Coast Guard’s pivotal role in promoting peace, maritime safety, security, and regional cooperation, further establishing its reputation as a leader committed to excellence and service in the Pacific.

Capt. Rob Kistner joins the Forces Micronesia team after serving as the chief of Prevention for the U.S. Coast Guard 14th District, where he adeptly oversaw maritime safety and security operations across 12.2 million square miles, covering 21 maritime nations and more than half of the world’s shipping. He also supported Sector Honolulu, Forces Micronesia, their sub-units, and USCGC Juniper (WLB 201) and USCGC Sequoia (WLB 215) in enhancing maritime incident prevention, supply chain resiliency, and governance. He will be the interim commander until the Fall of 2024 when Capt. Jessica Worst is scheduled to arrive from her current assignment on the U.S. Northern Command staff.

Before his role in the Pacific, Capt. Kistner, a native of Rochester, New York, shaped his expertise in Coast Guard operations through diverse assignments. He served aboard USCGC Seneca (WMEC 906) as an engineer officer in training and damage control assistant, led the Facility Inspections and Deep Draft Vessel Inspections Branches at Sector Baltimore, and managed regulatory compliance as Inspections Division chief at Sector Boston.

As deputy commander of Sector Western Great Lakes, he oversaw a team of 1,137 members across 15 sub-units, covering over 1,000 miles of shoreline from Vermillion, Ohio, to the St. Lawrence Seaway. His staff roles include positions at the Leadership Development Center, the Coast Guard Academy, and Coast Guard Headquarters, enhancing his experience with workforce development and honing his strategic insight.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in operations research, a master’s certificate in environmental management, and a Master of Science in applied mathematics. His dedication and leadership have earned him multiple awards, including three Meritorious Service Medals and three Coast Guard Commendation Medals.

-USCG-

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

U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam is critical in promoting Pacific maritime safety, security, and environmental stewardship. With a primary presence in Guam and Saipan and over 300 members across Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the team maintains a strong U.S. presence in the Micronesia sub-region and adjacent areas, closely tied to local communities. Their capabilities are integral to executing a wide range of U.S. Coast Guard missions, from protecting the maritime economy and the environment to defending maritime borders and saving those in peril.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

TOWNSVILLE, QLD, Australia  –  

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force Darwin 24.3 arrive in Townsville, QLD, for Exercise Southern Jackaroo, May 23, 2024.

U.S. Marines and Sailors arrived in Townsville for a multilateral training exercise, which takes place in Townsville Field Training Area, alongside Australian Defence Force, Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, Papua New Guinea Defence Force, and members from the U.S. Army to increase interoperability and readiness with Allies and partners. Participating units from MRF-D 24.3 include an infantry company, a combat logistics element, an engineering detachment, indirect fire assets, anti-armor teams, and medical personnel, all led by a forward command element from 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), MRF-D 24.3.

“Exercise Southern Jackaroo is a great opportunity for MRF-D, alongside our Australian Defense Force Allies, to exercise our combined logistics capabilities of moving our people and equipment over 2400 kilometers and aggregating with 3rd Brigade, as well as elements from the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force, PNGDF, and U.S. Army. Post aggregation, the Marines and Sailors will get an outstanding training opportunity alongside our closest Allies, executing both force-on-force and live fire training, which will better posture us to respond to a crisis or contingency,” said Lt. Col. Clinton K. Hall, the commanding officer of 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.), MRF-D 24.3.

Together the ADF, JGSDF, PNGDF, and U.S. are building relationships with Allies and partners throughout the region to increase strength through partnership. MRF-D 24.3’s participation in the exercise will include a warfighting exercise and a combined live-fire defense, where ADF, JGSDF, PNGDF, and U.S. service members will train alongside each other, working towards a shared goal.

“I love seeing the warfighters go out to the field for a few weeks of pain and suffering,” said Master Gunnery Sgt. William Frick, the operations chief for 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.), MRF-D 24.3. “It makes them better, tougher and they’re all around more prepared in the event we have to answer the call, and this displays to the world we don’t fight alone,” he continued.

The Marines and Sailors have spent the first months of the rotation training at Robertson Barracks and Mount Bundey Training Area, NT to prepare for Southern Jackaroo, MRF-D 24.3’s first large-scale warfighting exercise to participate in.

Exercise Southern Jackaroo also offers the opportunity to practice logistical movements of personnel and equipment. Over 400 Marines and Sailors were transported from the Northern Territory to Queensland to begin the exercise, and the large Townsville Field Training Area provides an ideal space to rehearse tactical logistics in a constrained environment.

“Conducting tactical logistics in support of troops will be challenging in the Townsville Field Training Area, and we are excited to take on those challenges and exploit opportunities of interoperability alongside our closest Allies,” said Capt. Pierre Sajous, the company commander of Combat Logistics Company A, Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Rein.), MRF-D 24.3.

Marine Rotational Force – Darwin is a rotational deployment of U.S. Marines and Sailors to Australia’s Northern Territory. Established in 2011, MRF-D strengthens the alliance between the United States and Australia while also enhancing regional security and stability. MRF-D works closely with the Australian Defence Force to conduct training, exercises, and engagements across the Indo-Pacific region.

For questions regarding this release, please contact the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin media team at MRFDMedia@usmc.mil.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

HONOLULU  –  

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command ‘s Pacific Multi-Domain Training Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) program office, led by Dr. Andre Stridiron recently hosted an Industry Engagement event which drew over 160 representatives from nearly 60 companies in attendance.

Dr. Andre J. Stridiron III, Ed.D. and the PMTEC team delivered several briefs focused on educating Industry Partners of USINDOPACOM Training and Rehearsal changes, gaps, and requirements, as well provided how to guidance on how they can engage and collaborate with IPC efforts.

Invited guest presentations from Rob Morrison the Joint Mission Accelerator Directorate (JMAD) Director, Robert Birchenough Integrated Joint Fires Cell (IJFC) and Maj Matthew Gordon from the Pacific Warfighting Center.

​The event was hosted by Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) at their Pacific Impact Zone in Ala Moana. 

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

HONOLULU  –  

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command ‘s Pacific Multi-Domain Training Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) program office, led by Dr. Andre Stridiron recently hosted an Industry Engagement event which drew over 160 representatives from nearly 60 companies in attendance.

Dr. Andre J. Stridiron III, Ed.D. and the PMTEC team delivered several briefs focused on educating Industry Partners of USINDOPACOM Training and Rehearsal changes, gaps, and requirements, as well provided how to guidance on how they can engage and collaborate with IPC efforts.

Invited guest presentations from Rob Morrison the Joint Mission Accelerator Directorate (JMAD) Director, Robert Birchenough Integrated Joint Fires Cell (IJFC) and Maj Matthew Gordon from the Pacific Warfighting Center.

​The event was hosted by Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) at their Pacific Impact Zone in Ala Moana. 

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

From April 8th to May 10th, 2024, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24,1st Marine Aircraft Wing, executed a meticulously planned exercise, displacing a main body detachment of 59 U.S. Marines and equipment across Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The purpose of Displaced Warrior was to rehearse intermediate-level aviation logistics in austere conditions. An additional 48 Marines made up the second main body and rotated in to gain exposure to Mobile Maintenance Facilities (MMFs) without disrupting the ongoing flight operations at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SOUTH CHINA SEA  –  

Participants included U.S. Navy Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26), Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) and Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS Tromp (F803).

“The Netherlands is one of our oldest, continuous bilateral relationships, stemming from the 18th century. I look forward to any opportunity to work together with partners and allies, especially at sea,” said Capt. Sean Lewis, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. “We share a deep commitment to maintaining stability and free use of vital sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific.”

The bilateral operation provided a valuable opportunity to improve allied interoperability and conduct complex scenarios to improve combined readiness.

“We’re fortunate to work together with allies and to have them provide replenishment to us. Operating together fortifies our existing relationship with our partners from the U.S.,” said Cmdr. Yvonne van Beusekom, Commanding Officer HNLMS Tromp. “We look to continue coordination between our nations to promote regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The U.S. Navy regularly participates with allies and partners in high-end maritime exercises and operations, which have continued to grow in scale, scope and complexity, to create combined operations that enhance interoperability, boost deterrence and demonstrate shared resolve.

“We are fortunate to work with friends at sea in the region. Consistent collaboration makes us better as a crew and more capable as a joint force,” said Cmdr. David Gardner, commanding officer for Mobile. “Bilateral operations like these strengthen bonds with our Royal Netherlands Navy partners and deepen our understanding of how to operate together.”

During the operation, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15 acted as a facilitator between DESRON 7 and the Netherlands. Multilateral operations improve interoperability between allied navies and support a free and open Indo-Pacific. These evolutions demonstrate the strength of regional partnerships, interchangeability and cooperation.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander and builds partnerships through training and exercises and military-to military engagements.

​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.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MANILA, Philippines  –  

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 3rd Mobilization Support Group, held the first-ever Army Reserve Subject Matter Expert Exchanges with the Philippine Army Reserve during Exercise Salaknib and Exercise Balikatan 24 in April, 2024.

​For three weeks, service members of 3rd MSG, based at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska, and a direct reporting unit under the 9th Mission Support Command exchanged knowledge on policies, processes, and systems with their PAR counterparts at multiple locations across the island of Luzon.

“The purpose of the bilateral exchange is to develop the institutional knowledge necessary for successful mobilization of Reserve Soldiers for contingencies,” said U.S. Army Reserve Col. Chris Nagelvoort, 3rd MSC commander. “The Philippine Army Reserve learned a lot, and so did we.”

The United States and the Philippines have an extensive history of security cooperation.. A significant component of this history is the U.S. Army Pacific. Every year, USARPAC sponsors exchanges with the Philippine Army to strengthen partnerships and interoperability in various disciplines and skill sets as part of Exercise Salaknib and Exercise Balakitan. The SMEE provided a clearer understanding of how both Reserve components can interact and operate together in the future.

Leaders from USARPAC, 9th MSC, and the Philippine Army conceived the Reserve SMEE program to share best practices on Reserve readiness – a priority for both Armies. To support this requirement, the 3rd MSG and the Philippine Army Reserve Command developed a multi-year SMEE framework that consists of a series of annual events held at different headquarters elements with a focus on enhancing the scope and scale of mobilization exercises.

“We are proud of the 3rd MSG having been selected by USARPAC and 9th MSC to be the first to partner with our friends in the Philippine Army Reserve in what is to be a 3-year engagement plan,” said U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Gene Espinoza, an operations officer with 3rd MSG.

The 3rd MSG was selected to lead the SMEE based on its recent experience managing a large mobilization exercise held on Oahu and its mobilization and deployment to Guam to oversee Typhoon Mawar response operations, both of which occurred in the summer of 2023.

“The SMEE is more than just an information exchange between our two militaries,” said U.S. Army Reserve Command Sgt. Maj. Oskar Ramirez, command sergeant major of the 3rd MSG and senior NCO facilitator. “It establishes a baseline from where future participants can gather together to focus on the bi-lateral readiness of our forces, gain insight into true integration between Citizen-Soldiers, adopt new skills, processes, and procedures and strengthen the bond between the Philippines and U.S.”.

The 3rd MSG stretches from Alaska to Guam and has deep ties to the area. It continues to utilize its expertise to support and uphold the commitments of the Mutual Defense Treaty, a testament to its dedication and shared purpose. Plans are already underway for future collaborations between the U.S. Army Reserve and its Philippine Army Reserve counterparts.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MAUI SPACE FORCE STATION, Hawaii  –  

Perched atop the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakalā in Hawaii, lives Space Delta 2’s 15th Space Surveillance Squadron. The 15th SPSS operates the Maui Space Surveillance Complex and is home to small, medium, and large-aperture tracking optics, including the Department of Defense’s largest optical telescope designed for satellite tracking and imaging, as well as visible and infrared sensors for data collection on near-Earth and deep-space objects.

​Tracking of these deep space objects will soon be made more efficient, thanks to the Mount Official Scheduling System, also known as MOSS.

“The MOSS tool provides a simple and effective avenue to effectively balance scheduling needs,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Holland, base operations and sustainment project manager. “MOSS is forecasted to eliminate the available time to operate our sensors that currently goes unused due to these scheduling mishaps, which is currently estimated at 41% of the calendar year.”

In just under six months, the MOSS team created and deployed a web-based application that provides the warfighter with 15-20% more Space Domain Awareness data while also laying the groundwork for future operational capability development and deployment to operational units across the Service.

“When it comes to future enhancement, we want to have a version of MOSS on Secret and [Top Secret] networks so that all of our external partners can access and use the tool because many live on the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System,” Holland said. “We also want to integrate a function that tracks metrics for our current operations.”

A team of six members, consisting of Guardians and Airmen, enabled 150 more days per year of Electro-Optical telescope usage for non-traditional sensors that provide operationally relevant SDA data to the warfighter, a 41% increase over legacy operations.

“Currently we waste 150 days a year due to scheduling issues that prevent us from operating,” Holland said. “This cloud-based application, made by our own active-duty Guardians, will eliminate those wasted days and enable us to execute operations every day there are not weather impacts or maintenance being conducted.”

By MOSS reducing 15th SPSS operational planning by half, this provides transparent scheduling capabilities to the research and development and intelligence community.

“We aim to pair MOSS with a 15SPSS ‘Portal’ that we plan to build in the future as our second product team,” Holland said. “The portal will serve as a JWICS homepage for our site and will have sensor status the interactive view/request schedule functionality via MOSS, and a Dropbox type function for pushing data from our site to our operators.”

The comprehensive goal of MOSS is simple, says Holland. “The overall goal for us via MOSS and the Portal will be to ensure we are utilizing our exquisite research and development capabilities in Maui to most effectively serve the SDA communities’ needs.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

BARIRA, Philippines  –  

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and service members with the Philippine Armed Forces conduct marksmanship training during Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum in Barira, Philippines, May 16, 2024. ACDC is a series of bilateral exchanges and training opportunities between U.S. Marines and Philippine marines aimed at bolstering the Philippine Marine Corps’ Coastal Defense strategy while supporting the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo) 

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SAN DIEGO  –  

Approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC combines force capabilities in a dynamic maritime environment to demonstrate enduring interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations.

The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” To promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, Exercise RIMPAC is the premier joint and combined maritime exercise, utilizing and preserving a world class maritime training environment. With inclusivity at its core, RIMPAC fosters multi-national cooperation and trust, leverages interoperability, and achieves respective national objectives to strengthen integrated, prepared, coalition partners.

This year’s exercise includes forces 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.

Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2024 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who will serve as the Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. For the first time in RIMPAC history, a member of the Chilean Navy, Commodore Alberto Guerrero, will serve as deputy commander of the CTF. Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will serve as vice commander. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Kristjan Monaghan of Canada, who will command the maritime component, and Air Commodore Louise Desjardins of Australia, who will command the air component.

During RIMPAC, integrated and prepared partners train and operate together in order to strengthen our collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2024 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict.

Details of RIMPAC activities and imagery are available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac and https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/RIMPAC2024. Media coverage of RIMPAC 2024 is authorized and encouraged, but in all cases will be coordinated through the Combined Joint Information Bureau (CJIB). Media interested in covering the exercise should fill out the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSTgxjVU15yNS2OB_BKyzTxJQSjbVzecnbj5XU9vUke6QRQ/viewform

Any additional questions/queries should be sent to rimpac.media@gmail.com, or the C3F PA team (619-767-4383). Contact information for the RIMPAC CJIB will be made available prior to the beginning of the exercise.