Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City, Philippines  –  

Philippine and U.S. military forces participating in Balikatan 24 are conducting multiple synchronized, combined and joint all domain operations across more than 1,000 miles of Philippine territory over 16 days, involving more than a dozen units across the combined force.

The scope of the operations demonstrates the increased complexity of this year’s exercise.

In Palawan, bilateral forces just concluded a combined High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) rapid infiltration mission (HIRAIN) and live-fire event. The goal of the training was to increase bilateral interoperability in complex littoral and coastal defense operations to secure and protect Philippines’ maritime terrain, territorial waters and exclusive economic zone interests.

“The main goal or the exercise’s objective is to demonstrate the strength of the alliance and our willingness to defend our territory,” said Philippine Army Col. Mike Logico, Balikatan 24 executive agent.

The HIRAIN showcased the strength of the joint team participating in this year’s Balikatan. The HIMARS loaded onto an MC-130J Commando II transport aircraft in Subic Bay before inserting into San Vicente, Palawan. From there the HIMARS, along with artillery from the Philippine Marine Corps, loaded onto a landing craft, air cushioned to transition to the USS Somerset (LPD-25) to continue their movement down the coast of Palawan overnight. The next morning, the Philippine artillery and HIMARS landed on a beach that had been secured ahead of time by U.S. and Philippine Marines, before establishing firing positions and launching training rockets and artillery rounds at notional targets.

“This HIRAIN training exercise demonstrates the effectiveness of our combined operations between U.S. forces and the Armed Force of the Philippines, highlighting our ability to rapidly deploy critical weapons systems throughout the archipelago to collectively sense and engage military targets,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Bernard Harrington, commander of 1st Multi-Domain Task Force.

The all-domain training commenced on April 24 in Palawan at the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites located on Antonio Bautista Air Base and Balabac Island. Training activities are ongoing and include expeditionary mine hunting, sonar hydrographic surveys, reconnaissance drills, amphibious landings, and air assault drills to secure key maritime terrain and establish expeditionary advanced bases and forward arming and refueling points. All of these operations together facilitate the all-domain, multi-modal maneuver required to operate in a rapidly evolving security environment.

“The combined capability of the U.S. joint force and Armed Forces of the Philippines will hold the beach,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer of 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit. “This caliber of training prepares both our nations to defend our shores as a team and drives home the value of standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the fighting hole.”

As bilateral forces in Palawan conduct HIMARS operations, they are also preparing for HIRAIN multi-modal transportation movement to Subic and follow-on movement to Northern Luzon.

“Through seamless coordination and cooperation, we are successfully executing complex multi-modal transportation operations, rapidly deploying long-range fires capabilities to support the territorial defense of the Philippines,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Benjamin Blane, commander of 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force.

Integrated units supporting operations across the combined force include: the Philippine Army’s 1st Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery, 1st Army Artillery Regiment, 203rd Infantry Brigade, and 5th Infantry Division; the Philippine Marine Corps’ 3rd and 4th Marine Brigades; U.S. Army 1st Multi-Domain Task Force; the U.S. Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit; the U.S. Air Force’s 317th Airlift Wing and 353rd Special Operations Wing; and the U.S. Navy Assault Craft Unit 5 and USS Somerset (LPD 25).

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III convened a Trilateral Defense Ministerial Meeting in Hawaii on May 2, 2024. This was the thirteenth meeting among the defense leaders of the three nations and highlighted the landmark achievements made in implementing activities and practical areas of cooperation set forth in the 2023 Joint Statement.

The Ministers are united by our shared values and determination to deepen cooperation to promote the security, stability, and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

The Ministers welcomed and acknowledged the significance of each country’s recently implemented strategic documents, underscoring their deep strategic alignment and shared values. They affirmed the important role that the trilateral partnership contributes to realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific and the significant progress over the past year demonstrating their growing trilateral coordination at all levels and across all domains.

The Ministers reiterated their strong opposition to any attempts by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion in the South and East China Seas. This includes concerning and destabilizing actions in the South China Sea, such as unsafe encounters at sea and in the air, the militarization of disputed features, and the dangerous use of coast guard vessels and maritime militia, including interference with routine maritime operations, and efforts to disrupt other countries’ offshore resource exploration. They strongly objected to China’s claims and actions that are inconsistent with international law including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and which undermine international rules, standards, and norms. They resolved to work together to support states being able to exercise their rights and freedoms in the maritime domain, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, consistent with UNCLOS.

The Ministers emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They called for the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues. 

The Ministers reaffirmed their enduring commitment to a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Southeast Asia, where sovereignty is respected, international law is followed, and nations can make decisions free from coercion. They reaffirmed their commitment to ASEAN centrality and unity as well as ASEAN-led regional architecture. They recognized the importance of strengthening cooperation with Southeast Asian partners including the Philippines and welcomed the second meeting of Australia, Japan, Philippines, and United States Defense Ministers and Secretary also being held in Hawaii.

The Ministers committed to deepening cooperation with Pacific island countries, by supporting their needs and efforts in the implementation of the Pacific Islands Forum’s 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. The Ministers affirmed they will continue expanding regional engagement with Pacific counterparts, particularly through the Pacific Islands Forum of which Australia is a member, and other inclusive Pacific architectures. 

The Ministers welcomed the U.S. Coast Guard’s deployment of the Harriet Lane Cutter in its inaugural Operation Blue Pacific patrol in Oceania in early 2024. This deployment offered opportunities for the U.S. Coast Guard to work alongside Pacific island countries to share best practices on maritime domain awareness and support efforts led regionally by the Forum Fisheries Agency to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing activities.

The Ministers are deeply concerned about North Korea’s nuclear and missile development. They strongly condemn North Korea’s repeated launches of missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles and other launches using ballistic missile technology, which are serious violations of United Nations Security Council resolutions. The Ministers strongly condemn the increasing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, including North Korea’s export and Russia’s procurement of North Korean ballistic missiles in violation of UNSC resolutions, as well as Russia’s use of these missiles against Ukraine. The Ministers remain committed to working with the international community to address North Korea’s serious threat to the region. They reiterate their call on North Korea to immediately resolve the abductions issue and cease its human rights violations.

The Ministers noted the progress on the introduction of counterstrike capabilities by Japan and investment in long-range strike capabilities by Australia. They confirmed that Australia and Japan would work closely together, and with the United States as these capabilities are introduced.

The Ministers acknowledge the significant progress made by Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States over the past year to implement AUKUS, and noted the positive contribution the AUKUS partnership has on the security and stability in the region. Recognizing Japan’s strengths and its close bilateral defense partnerships with all three AUKUS countries, the Ministers acknowledged that AUKUS partners are considering cooperation with Japan on AUKUS Pillar II advanced capability projects.

The Ministers welcomed the August 2023 entry into force of the Japan-Australia Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA), which will enable deeper trilateral cooperation and enhance interoperability by facilitating Australian Defence Force presence alongside the United States Forces in Japan and Japanese Self-Defense Forces alongside the United States Forces in Australia. They marked the inaugural reciprocal deployments of Japan’s F-35A aircraft to Australia and Australia’s F-35A aircraft to Japan in 2023 as the first cooperative activities under the RAA. Additionally, Ministers welcomed upcoming activities planned for trilateral F-35 joint training in 2025 and 2026. They noted progress on trilateral training using ranges in Australia and the successful conduct of Japan’s first anti-air and anti-ship missile launch in Australia in 2023. The Ministers commit to leveraging the RAA to enable Japan’s participation, alongside the United States Armed Forces, in force posture activities in Australia over the coming year.

The Ministers welcomed the historic inaugural achievements and activities in trilateral work over the past year and reaffirmed their intent to increase the complexity and scope of their work together. Since 2022, the three militaries have conducted multiple coordinated Asset Protection Missions, undertaken trilateral transits in the South China Sea, and increased the complexity of trilateral Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) cooperation including actual operations in the maritime and air domains. They committed to expanding trilateral ISR cooperation.

The Ministers welcomed Australia’s valuable inaugural participation in the U.S.-Japan command post exercise, KEEN EDGE, in February, and the work underway to advance closer operational collaboration.

The Ministers reaffirmed their vision toward a networked air defense architecture among the United States, Japan, and Australia to counter growing air and missile threats in the Indo-Pacific region, including broadening missile defense information sharing and incorporating future capabilities. They announced their intent for the U.S. Armed Forces, Australian Defence Force, and Japan Self-Defense Forces to conduct an inaugural regional air and missile defense live fire exercise in 2027 at Exercise TALISMAN SABRE.

Today Ministers signed the trilateral Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Projects Arrangement. Science and technology cooperation is vital to maintain their collective edge and deepen their defense cooperation. This landmark arrangement allows the respective defense organizations to pursue areas of interest for operationally-relevant advanced collaboration. Through this arrangement the ministries will further discuss cooperative opportunities in the areas of collaborative combat aircraft and autonomous systems and composite aerospace materials.

Reflecting the critical role the trilateral partnership plays in upholding regional stability, the Ministers committed to enhance our defense cooperation across the following areas:

Trilateral Activities and Exercises:

• Conduct trilateral F-35 Joint Strike Fighter trainings in all three countries in the next two years, including exercises such as:
  •       Exercise COPE NORTH 2025 – United States
  •       Exercise BUSHIDO GUARDIAN 2025 – Japan
  •       Exercise PITCH BLACK 2026 – Australia
• Continue increasing the frequency and complexity of high-end trilateral exercises in northern Australia such as Exercise SOUTHERN JACKAROO.
• Increase opportunities and enhance the complexity of ISR cooperation.
• Regularize Asset Protection Missions for the U.S. Forces and the Australian Defence Force by Japan Self-Defense Forces and transits by Australia, Japan, the United States, and other partners.
• Accelerate and deepen trilateral information-sharing cooperation.
• Continue trilateral policy and strategy dialogues on regional issues.

Expanded Cooperation:

• Pursue trilateral Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) Arrangement cooperative opportunities in operationally-relevant advanced technologies.
• Boost strategic capabilities cooperation across multiple domains, including the conduct of an inaugural joint and combined live fire air and missile defense exercise in 2027 at Exercise TALISMAN SABRE.
• Increase Japan’s participation in Australia-U.S. force posture cooperation activities.

Inclusive Partnerships:

• Deepen engagement with ASEAN Member States (including through the ADMM-Plus framework), Pacific island countries, India, the Republic of Korea, and like-minded partners and allies to uphold and reinforce free and open international order.
• Coordinate capacity building engagements with regional partners.

The Ministers affirmed that trilateral defense cooperation is essential to maintain regional stability, transparency, and respect for international rules and norms. They reiterated their firm determination to keep the Indo-Pacific free, open, secure, and prosperous while continuing to expand the scope of defense cooperation.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

The meeting, which Austin hosted at the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command headquarters in Hawaii, marks a key milestone as the four nations work to enhance interoperability among their forces. 

“Just last year in Singapore, the defense ministers from Australia, Japan, the Philippines and the United States met together for the first time,” Austin said during a press conference following the talks. “Today’s meeting — the second of its kind — built on that momentum and it helped advance a vision that our four democracies share for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”  

In describing that momentum, Austin highlighted last month’s Maritime Cooperative Activity in the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone last month — the second multilateral cooperative of its kind over the past year alone.  

“Activities like this don’t just strengthen our interoperability, they also build bonds among our forces,” he said. “And they underscore our shared commitment to international law in the South China Sea.” 

These discussions come at a critical time for defense cooperation throughout the region, a defense official said earlier this week in previewing the talks. 

The official noted China’s recent harassment of Philippine vessels operating in the South China Sea.  

“Japan and Australia have been some of our most vocal and staunchest allies in speaking up about the completely unacceptable nature of this behavior,” the official said, adding that the Philippines have also highlighted China’s concerning behavior throughout the region.

“How we, as allies, not only operate together, but how we think about addressing the really worrisome operational behavior and coercion that we see taking place in a number of places across the region, is obviously a topic that we’re going to focus on together,” the official said.   

During their meeting today, the four leaders discussed the current security landscape across the region, and discussed new initiatives extend more security and stability to the Indo-Pacific. 

Those efforts include more maritime exercises and activities between the four countries and pursuing coordinated security assistance for the Philippines.  

“We’ve gathered here because we share a vision for peace, stability and deterrence in the Indo-Pacific,” Austin said. “We’ve charted an ambitious course to advance that vision together, and that’s why today’s meetings were so important.  

The meeting capped a series of meetings between Austin and his counterparts while in Hawaii to preside over the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command change of command ceremony later this week.  

Earlier today, Austin met bilaterally with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles. 

The meeting follows Australia’s announcement last week of its new national defense strategy which commits to a 20% increase in defense spending over the next decade.   

Austin also met with Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru. The meeting follows Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s official state visit to the U.S. last month where the two countries announced significant strides in strengthening defense cooperation. 

Following the bilateral meetings with his counterparts, Austin convened the 13th trilateral defense ministers’ meeting among the U.S., Australia and Japan.   

The three leaders focused on a range of regional topics and how the three countries can further expand initiatives aimed at peace and security throughout the Indo-Pacific. 

They also discussed cooperation on science and technology and signed a new trilateral agreement outlining cooperation on research, development, test and evaluation for new capabilities.   

The agreement encourages standardization and interoperability on defense technology and aims to make the countries’ already strong ties on science and technology more efficient and cost effective. 

On Friday, Austin will preside over the Indo-Pacom change of command ceremony.   

During the ceremony, Austin is expected to recognize outgoing Indo-Pacom commander Navy Adm. John Aquilino’s efforts that were instrumental in strengthening U.S. partnerships throughout the region.   

Additionally, the secretary will have an opportunity to meet with the leaders of the Freely Associated States, which include the Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau. 

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP AGUINALDO, Philippines  –  

Service members from the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps gathered at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Civil-Military Operations school to conduct a subject matter expert exchange on humanitarian civic assistance best practices during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines, April 29, 2024. During the exchange, attendees discussed the AFP’s and U.S. military’s civil affairs missions and lessons learned from past events through training exercises and real-world scenarios.

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Christopher Bridger, the deputy commander for the Combined Joint Civil-Military Task Force, 1st Civil Affairs Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, opened the exchange with a brief overview of the history of civil military affairs and the breakdown of events coordinated by the Humanitarian Civic Assistance team during BK 24. Bridger also stressed the importance of CMO practitioners’ role in monitoring and reporting civilian infrastructure issues to commanders.

“That’s what CMO is all about – planning ways that we can conduct operations in the civilian community to mitigate concerns and support our operational forces,” Bridger said.

Other topics shared and discussed during the event included implementing Information Related Capabilities and ways that CMO practitioners can influence the operational environment.

U.S. Army Maj. Nicholas Dahl, the J-9 for 1st CAG, spoke to attendees about one of the most significant issues faced by the local communities surrounding the capital city of Manila: food insecurities and crop failures due to the lasting effects of seasonal typhoons.

“If there was a storm or typhoon, or military action placed upon the community that prevented ships from delivering food, we as civil affairs can do our part to help improve sustainability in the community if they’re not able to have access to it,” Dahl said.

In response to the damage left upon the community in a recent storm, Dahl led a team of agricultural specialists to observe a local community’s farming capabilities, use of fertilizers and irrigation, and in turn, provided input on what would be the best course of action moving forward; Military civil affairs provides a conduit between Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster and Civic Aid and the surrounding community that can provide infrastructure or engineering projects such building wells at no cost to the civilians. These issues, specifically surrounding agricultural integrity, can be brought back and researched by U.S. universities to continue building the communication bond between nations.

Through discussions amongst students and presenters, having shared goals was the catalyst for nurturing the partnership going forward, and hopefully incorporating more civil affairs activities in the upcoming Balikatans.

“It was a great opportunity to learn from one another, share our best practices and discuss solutions to issues that we know that we both struggle through,” Dahl said.

Philippine Army Maj. Ferdinand Paolo Quiocho, the commandant of the AFP CMO school, coordinated through the J-7 for two months in order to coordinate the event.

“We take it as a positive mission to share and exchange knowledge in order to hit our targets,” Quiocho said. “I think it’s beneficial to understand how we are alike in aspects; Even though we don’t have a lot of joint training on a regular basis, we operate pretty similarly and how they accomplish similar tasks with different perspectives and through a different lens; how civil affairs can be best employed for real life situations.”

As a testament to the continuing partnership between the U.S. and the Philippines, the day concluded with exchanging of gifts and fellowship between students and service members. Quiocho lauded the dedication and passion that the civil affairs team brought to the students, and spoke of the natural and enduring friendship between nations as a byproduct of many exchanges to come.

“First and foremost, knowledge transfer is very important; the sharing of best practices is paramount to successful military operations within cooperation with our allies in the United States. I’m really looking forward to more activities like this in the future and realize that there will be shared exercises between our nations in terms of civil military operations based on CMO planning,” said Philippine Army Maj. Ferdinand Paolo Quiocho.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KOROR, Palau  –  

In a historic ceremony at the Ngarachamayong Cultural Center in downtown Koror, Palau President Surangel Whipps, Jr., Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, and Col. Michael Cruz, adjutant general of the Guam Guard, signed a declaration formalizing the nation’s newest State Partnership between the U.S. Territory of Guam and the Republic of Palau.

Witnessing the ceremony were Senior Enlisted Advisor Tony Whitehead, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of National Guard Bureau, U.S. Ambassador Joel Ehrendreich, Palau Vice President J. Uduch S. Senior, and members of the Palau National Congress and Council of Chiefs.

Managed by National Guard Bureau and executed with Combatant Commanders, SPP develops enduring relationships, improves interoperability, and enhances the readiness of the U.S. and partner nations to meet emerging challenges together.

The program has been successfully building relations for 30 years and includes over 100 nations around the globe. This year, NGB selected the Guam Guard to partner with Palau.

“When we talk about commonalities between Guam and Palau, we voyaged as warriors and seafarers thousands of years ago,” said Leon Guerrero. “Our ancestors braved the seas and storms with no computers or science at all, except the feel of the current and wind, the temperature of the water, and knowledge of the stars. We are innovative and resilient people who have weathered World Wars, colonization, and struggles for political identity. This partnership is just one way we will continue fighting for and defending our freedom.”

Both Guam and Palau’s island of Peleliu were sites of major battles during World War 2.

Although Palau has no military, the State Partnership Program allows for a whole-of-government approach. Opportunities for two-way exchanges in law enforcement and border security, cyber protection and resilience, medical and civil engineering community engagements, humanitarian assistance and disaster response and more, exist under the program.

Staff Sgt. Christina Adelbai, UH-72 Lakota helicopter mechanic for the Guam Guard’s aviation detachment, greeted the audience in native Palauan before reading the Declaration of Partnership in English.

“I just want to take a moment to say how proud I am of this partnership,” Adelbai said. “To be a Soldier in the Guam National Guard, standing here as a daughter of Palau, there’s a lot of pride.”

After the ceremony, President Whipps shared the importance of the newly signed partnership.

“We are here today to celebrate and, really, I think, to begin a new chapter in this relationship that creates a lot of opportunities for our people to continue to help each other in that Pacific Way,” said Pres. Whipps. “Caring for each other and helping each other build each other up. Most importantly, being prepared and keeping our Indo-Pacific free and open and ensuring that our values, our democratic values, are made strong.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

IE SHIMA, OKINAWA, Japan  –  

U.S. Marines, Japanese coast guardsmen, and Okinawan officials honored the casualties of WWII during the annual Ie Shima Lighthouse Memorial Service on Ie Shima, Okinawa, Japan, April 21.

Seventy-nine years ago, during the Okinawa campaign of WWII, a lighthouse keeper and eight of his family members were killed during an air raid on Ie Shima. Every year since then, a ceremony is held in remembrance of the family and the many other casualties of WWII.

During the ceremony, representatives in attendance and the honored lighthouse keeper’s descendants and family members place flowers and bow in remembrance of the casualties. This ceremony is set up by members of the Japanese Coast Guard, and the area is regularly maintained by the Marines who reside at Ie Shima Training Facility.

“It’s one of the bigger things that we do here at Ie Shima,” said Gunnery Sgt. Luis Delao, a communication, navigation, cryptographic and countermeasures systems technician with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 36, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, and the staff non-commissioned officer in charge of the Ie Shima Training Facility. “We help maintain some portions of the lighthouse, but the biggest thing is fostering the camaraderie that we have in the community, not just with the Japanese locals on island, but also the Japanese Coast Guard that comes out to support.”

The Marines stationed on Ie Shima inspect the lighthouse daily to ensure that the area is clean and free of any trash or debris. Marines also make sure to report any damages to the lighthouse after any destructive weather.

“This ceremony allows us to extend that olive branch and repair those past injuries that have happened,” said Delao. “It’s intimate and allowing Marines to be a part of this every year enables us to help bridge the gap and strengthen the relationships that we have.”

These Marines conduct monthly beach clean-ups to remove trash left by the fishing boats, frequently volunteer at schools to help teach English and any other events they are asked to assist with, as well as supporting all the memorials at Ie Shima.

Next year marks the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Okinawa.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SANTA RITA, Guam  –  

On April 26, 2024, the team at U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and Base Guam hosted a distinguished Congressional Delegation led by Congressman Sam Graves, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and Congressman Mike Bost, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs. 

The delegation, which included Congressmen David Rouzer, Troy Nehls, and Mark DeSaulnier, along with key staff from both committees, spent the afternoon with crews, gaining firsthand insights into the critical operations of the Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) in the region. Joining them was Guam Delegate James Moylan. A particular focus was on the operational achievements and the strategic value of homeporting FRCs in Guam, a decision that underscores our unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, security, and economic stability in the Pacific.

The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew reflected on their recent activities, including a significant case and delivery of humanitarian aid alongside USAID and IOM partners to residents of the Federated States of Micronesia, which underscores the vital role these cutters play in national and regional security. 

“Since their commissioning in 2021, the legacy of the Guam-based FRCs in enhancing maritime safety, security, and goodwill in the Pacific has been remarkable,” said Capt. Nicholas Simmons, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia Sector Guam. 

The delegation also toured critical infrastructure sites, including the damaged glass breakwater and the Port Authority of Guam, from the cutter and the cutter small boat. These sites are essential for military readiness, impact shipping routes, and influence the economic activity and cost of goods in the Marianas.

“It wasn’t all serious. The crew told a few fish stories and may have unintentionally splashed an attendee or two on the bow as they turned into the seas, which really gives them the feel of a day in the life of our crew underway,” said Simmons. We are grateful to Chairman Graves, Chairman Bost, Delegate Moylan, and all delegation members for their visit and continued support of our people and our missions.” 

The engagement with the Congressional Delegation serves as a powerful reminder of the significant role of the U.S. Coast Guard in promoting peace, security, safety, and economic stability in the Pacific.

-USCG- 

About U.S. Coast Guard Team Guam 

U.S. Coast Guard Team Guam, comprising over 350 members across Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, focused on maritime safety, security, and stewardship in Oceania. The team includes U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and U.S. Coast Guard Base Guam and their sub-units, staffed by dedicated active-duty, reserve, and civilian personnel. With a significant presence in Guam, Saipan, and the Micronesia sub-region, this integrated team focuses on operations and logistics to support maritime safety, security, and stewardship in Oceania and maintains close ties with local communities.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Chairman Rogers, Ranking Member Smith, distinguished Members of the Committee: Thanks for the opportunity to testify in support of President Biden’s proposed Fiscal Year 2025 budget for the Department of Defense.

I’m pleased to be joined by our outstanding Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General C.Q. Brown, and by Under Secretary Mike McCord, the Department’s Comptroller.

Let me start by thanking this Committee for all that you do to support the U.S. military, our troops, and our military families.

As Secretary, I’ve always been guided by three priorities: defending our nation, taking care of our people, and succeeding through teamwork. Our budget request for Fiscal Year 2025 will advance all three of these priorities.

First, the President’s request will invest in cutting-edge capabilities across all domains. That includes $48.1 billion for naval and shipbuilding capabilities, $61.2 billion to reinforce U.S. air dominance, and $13 billion to bolster Army and Marine Corps combat capabilities.

Our request will also provide $33.7 billion to strengthen our space architecture and $14.5 billion to develop and field advanced cybersecurity tools. It will direct $49.2 billion to modernize and recapitalize all three legs of our nuclear triad. And it will sharpen our tech edge through a $167.5 billion investment in procurement and $143.2 billion in R&D.

Second, this budget request will support our outstanding troops and their families. That includes raising base pay and housing allowances; investing in better housing; making childcare more affordable; and funding vital work to prevent sexual assault and suicide in the military.

And third, this request will help the Department further deepen our teamwork worldwide. Our network of allies and partners remains a strategic advantage that no competitor can match. And you can see its power in our strengthening ties across the Indo-Pacific, in today’s expanded and united NATO, and in the 50-country Ukraine Defense Contact Group that I convene.

Our budget remains rooted in our 2022 National Defense Strategy. Our request positions the United States to tackle the Department’s pacing challenge — the People’s Republic of China — with confidence and urgency. It will help meet the acute threat of Putin’s increasingly aggressive Russia. It will help us tackle the persistent dangers from Iran and its proxies. It will help us take on threats from North Korea, global terrorist organizations, and other malign actors. And it will help us continue to deter aggression against the United States and our allies and partners — and to prevail in conflict if necessary.

Now today, I want to underscore three key messages.

First, even as our budget request abides by the mandatory caps set by the Fiscal Responsibility Act, it is aligned to our strategy. We made tough but responsible decisions that prioritize near-term readiness, modernization of the joint force, and support for our troops and their families. Our approach dials back some near-term modernization for programs not set to come online until the 2030s.

Second, we can only fully reach the goals of our strategy with your help. I am grateful that Congress passed the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations in March. And the single greatest way that Congress can support the Department is to pass predictable, sustained, and timely appropriations.

My third and final message is that the price of U.S. leadership is real — but it is far lower than the price of U.S. abdication.

As the President has said, we are in a global struggle between democracy and autocracy. And our security relies on American strength of purpose.

That’s why our budget request seeks to invest in American security — and in America’s defense industrial base.

The same is true for the recently passed National Security Supplemental that will support our partners in Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan and make key investments to increase submarine production.

In fact, about $50 billion of this supplemental will flow through our defense industrial base, creating good American jobs in more than 30 states.

So we are grateful for our partners in Congress who help us make the investments needed to strengthen America’s security, through both the supplemental and the President’s budget request.

The U.S. military is the most lethal fighting force on Earth. And with your help, we’re going to keep it that way.

I deeply appreciate your support for our mission and our troops. And I look forward to your questions.

Thank you.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  –   An inert GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided munition fired from a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper impacts a simulated target at Pilsung Range, Republic of Korea, April 19, 2024. The MQ-9 Reaper participated in Korea Flying Training 24, the largest ROK-U.S. combined flying training event held annually on Korean peninsula, marking the first time the aircraft has deployed to the ROK and participated in live munitions training. During KFT 24 the aircraft was configured to participate in numerous training scenarios to rehearse its precision strike, close air support, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. (U.S. Air Force video) (Editor’s Note: This declassified video has been edited for length, however, the events are depicted in sequential order.)

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii  –  

Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosted a virtual Chiefs of Defense meeting at the USINDOPACOM headquarters in Hawaii to strengthen military-to-military relationships, discuss common security issues and foster regional cooperation, April 29, 2024.

Senior military leaders from 27 countries met virtually and reviewed the progress of agreed upon objectives. 

During the meeting, Aquilino discussed the importance of deepening security cooperation opportunities and security challenges within the Indo-Pacific region with an emphasis that USINDOPACOM will continue to work closely with Allies and partners to ensure a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific.

USINDOPACOM hosts virtual CHOD meetings quarterly to provide a forum for open dialogue between military leaders and discuss the regional security environment. The next in-person CHOD conference will be in September 2024.

At the meeting, Aquilino also introduced Adm. Samuel Paparo, who will become the USINDOPACOM commander upon completion of a change of command ceremony on May 3, 2024.