Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP CASEY, Republic of Korea  –  

United States Army Soldiers and Korean Augmentation To the U.S. Army (KATUSA) Soldiers stationed throughout the Korean peninsula participated in a variety of events and activities designed to strengthen the teamwork and comradery of military service members during KATUSA Friendship Week, June 10-14.

This year is the 74th anniversary of the KATUSA program, which began as a gentleman’s agreement between the Honorable Syngman Rhee, president of the Republic of Korea, and General of the Army Douglas MacArthur, commander in chief, United Nations Command.

On July 15, 1950, just three weeks after the Korean War began, the two leaders initiated the KATUSA program, informally marking the start of a long and rich history of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the United States of America. The KATUSA program predates the mutual defense treaty signed by the two countries more than three years later, which pledges “collective defense for the preservation of peace and security” in the Pacific region.

Brig. Gen. Sean Crockett, the Deputy Commanding General of Operations, Eighth Army, described the significance of KATUSA Friendship Week to the ROK-U.S. alliance and how it improves the readiness of warfighters. More than ever, facing the challenges of the modern battlefield require creativity, teamwork, focus, and commitment.

“Whether or not you know it, this week you have been trained,” said Crockett. “Combat is a team sport. Cohesive teams work and train hard together. Every team that was put on the field had to figure out their positions and how they were going to contribute to the larger overall team to accomplish the mission. This is exactly how it’s going to work on the battlefield of tomorrow.”

KATUSA Friendship Week, which is hosted annually by Eighth Army and ROK forces, has become a cherished tradition that enhances cross-cultural understanding and unity among the two nations’ military service members. This year’s events included a six-mile ruck march, U.S. Army birthday run, airborne operation, sporting competitions, language exchanges, cultural booths, a film festival, singing contest, K-pop performances, and more.

Cpl. Jeong Juwon, also known as JJ, is a KATUSA assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan-Casey. Juwon was chosen by his teammates to be the anchor in the tug-of-war competition due to his sturdy frame and team-orientated mentality.

“It was really fun,” jubilantly stated Juwon after winning the first round of the competition. “Lean backwards like Michael Jackson and be strong! I recommend everyone participate in any events they can.”

The Republic of Korea has its own flavor, enabling military service members to have unique experiences that become part of their lifelong memories. On June 13, hundreds of Soldiers and KATUSAs gathered at Camp Casey’s Impact Zone to enjoy world-class performances by the ROK Ministry of National Defense Honor Guard, the 1st ROK Army Corps taekwondo team, RUVICHE, Floria, Gi Daon, Microdot, Hashtag, Laysha, Dreaming Sandae, and many more talented individuals.

Cpl. Seung Jin Lee, a KATUSA assigned to 210th Field Artillery Brigade, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, sang a soulful rendition of Park Kyo-shin’s “Breath” during a talent show held shortly after the closing ceremony. Jubilant cheers reverberated throughout the venue as military service members, old and young, unwound at the end of a week of friendly competition and cooperation.

“I was nervous because it was my first time to sing this song in front of a crowd,” said Lee. “My friends gave me so much praise and encouragement I was able to go on stage and perform my best.”

KATUSA Friendship Week demonstrates the strength and resilience of the partnership between the United States and South Korea in the face of new and evolving challenges in a diverse theater of operations. Memorable events like KFW boost the morale and camaraderie of military service members, which can provide strength in times of adversity while reinforcing the long-cherished bonds of friendship between the United States and the Republic of Korea.

​“Katchi Kapshida,” – “We go together,” is a slogan commonly shared within the U.S.-ROK alliance that captures the very essence of the enduring friendship between ROK and U.S. Soldiers over the past 74 years.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

FORT KNOX, Kentucky  –  

The remains of Army Pfc. Anthony J. Lopa, a Soldier killed during the Korean War, will be interred June 28 at Brig. Gen. William C. Doyle Veteran Memorial Cemetery, Wrightstown, New Jersey. Maxwell Funeral Home, Little Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, will perform graveside services preceding the interment.

A native of North Arlington, New Jersey, Lopa was a member of Delta Battery, 82nd Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons (Self Propelled) Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division. He was killed in action Aug. 31, 1950, while fighting the North Korean People’s Army along the Naktong River, near Yongsan-Myeon, South Korea. He was 17 years old.

Lopa was accounted for by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency July 21, 2023, after the remains of Korean War unknowns were exhumed for identification July 2018 from the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Past Conflict Repatriations Branch, under the Army Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Division at U.S. Army Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky, plays a key role in the process of locating Family members of missing Soldiers from World War II, the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The process begins with locating the Family member most closely related to the missing Soldier, known as the primary next of kin, followed by a request for Family reference samples or DNA, which are used as a main source in identifying remains.

Once a Soldier has been identified by the Armed Forces Medical Examiner, the PCRB notifies and briefs the Family about the results of historical, forensic and DNA reports, benefits and the mortuary process including burial with full military honors.

For additional information about Pfc. Lopa, go to: https://www.dpaa.mil/News-Stories/Press-Releases/PressReleaseArticleView/Article/3732394/soldier-accounted-for-from-korean-war-lopa-a/

​Media interested in covering the funeral/interment, and/or obtaining more information, should contact the Army Casualty Office at 800-892-2490 or Maxwell Funeral Home, 609-296-6060.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

GOTON, Conn.  –  

The enrollment of Royal Australian Navy sailors at the Submarine School marks a significant step in the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) Pillar 1 Optimal Pathway, aimed at helping Australia acquire a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine fleet.

“We’re excited to welcome these sailors and officers to Groton and build on the momentum of the first cohort of Australian officers to graduate from Submarine Officer Basic Course (SOBC) in April,” said Capt. Matthew Fanning, commanding officer, Naval Submarine School. “It is an honor to be part of the team that is delivering game-changing capabilities to one of our country’s closest and staunchest allies.”

The Submarine School trains officers and enlisted personnel through two distinct but interrelated tracks: Submarine Officer Basic Course (SOBC) and Basic Enlisted Submarine School (BESS).

SOBC is the last step in the U.S. Navy’s submarine officer training pipeline, graduating over a thousand officers annually. BESS introduces enlisted sailors to the fundamentals of the construction and operation of today’s nuclear-powered submarines. The course covers everything from shipboard organization to submarine safety and escape procedures. Following BESS, enlisted sailors will complete their pipeline training with classroom and skills training specific to their intended technical rating.

Upon graduation from pipeline schools, the Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors will be assigned to U.S. SSNs for their first sea tour to further their knowledge and training.

“The Royal Australian Navy officers and sailors commencing their training at the U.S. Naval Submarine School represent the leading edge of Australia’s future submarine fleet,” said the Chief of the Royal Australian Navy, Vice Adm. Mark Hammond.

“Three Australian officers have already completed 14 months of intensive shore-based training, including Nuclear-Power School, nuclear propulsion training, and the Submarine Officer Basic Course before being assigned to U.S. Virginia class submarines. Our people are receiving world class training through our U.S and U.K partners, and will play a crucial role for Australia’s future SSN capability. I’m incredibly proud of their achievements representing the Royal Australian Navy.”

“Australians are exceptional submariners,” said Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, the U.S. Navy’s AUKUS Integration and Acquisition program manager. “The training they receive at Submarine School will set them up for a successful tour aboard an American SSN, moving the Royal Australian Navy that much closer to operating sovereign, conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.”

The number of Royal Australian Navy personnel training across the U.S. will increase to over 100 people in the next 12 months. Training Royal Australian Navy sailors alongside their American counterparts will enhance interoperability across the submarine forces, which is a cornerstone of establishing Australia’s sovereign nuclear-powered attack submarine capability.

​The AUKUS partnership is a strategic endeavor that aims to strengthen the industrial bases of the three partners and promote a safe, free, and open Indo-Pacific, ensuring the international, rules-based order is upheld in the region. Australia will acquire conventionally armed SSNs for the Royal Australian Navy under AUKUS Pillar 1. The AUKUS I&A program office is responsible for executing the trilateral partnership to deliver conventionally armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines to the Royal Australian Navy at the earliest possible date while setting the highest nuclear stewardship standards and continuing to maintain the highest nuclear nonproliferation standard.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

ITBAYAT, Philippines  –  

In addition to enhancing their warfighting capabilities through bilateral military training, U.S. Marines and Sailors with 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, and Philippine Marines with 4th Marine Brigade, strengthened ties through community service and civil engagements during Exercise Balikatan 24, Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum, and the ongoing Marine Aviation Support Activity 24, on Luzon, Philippines, April 15 – June 12, 2024.

Balikatan, an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences, is internationally recognized for emphasizing “shoulder-to-shoulder” training between all branches of the U.S. and Philippine militaries. This year’s 39th iteration of BK was followed by the first iteration of Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum, a series of bilateral exchanges and training opportunities between U.S. and Philippine Marines aimed at bolstering the Philippine Marine Corps’ Coastal Defense strategy. Then began MASA, an annual Philippine-U.S. military exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts.

During the execution of the Maritime Key Terrain Security Operation, one of four Combined Joint All-Domain Operations events that took place during BK24, 3rd MLR and 4th Marine Brigade experimented with the Littoral Reconnaissance Team concept by deploying low-signature, lightweight, expeditionary teams to the Batanes islands. There, the combined U.S.-Philippine LRTs tested sensing capabilities, conducted key leader engagements, and simulated the seizure and defense of key maritime terrain.

During this event and others, the Marines shared the unique and intimate experience of volunteering with the local community.

“We conducted civil reconnaissance training and key leader engagements with the Mayor of Itbayat and other local leaders as part of the MKTSO’s mission,” said U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Lupita Rodriguez, a native of Texas and a civil affairs specialist with 3rd MLR. “But in addition to the scheduled engagements, we also had organic interactions with members of the local community, including patrols during which the Marines stopped to hand out candies, take photos, and play with the neighborhood children.”

During these spontaneous interactions, the Marines could take a break from the rigorous training they had been conducting over the three consecutive exercises and apply their professionalism to a different, but equally important, aspect of forward military presence: civil engagements.

“These sorts of civil engagements are important due to it being the first time many civilians from on and around the Batanes islands and Northern Luzon have ever seen U.S. Marines,” said Rodriguez. “You can only ever make one first impression. We want these people to know we care about them and that they can have faith and confidence in the U.S. military and Armed Forces of the Philippines partnership.”

The Marines didn’t fail to create a lasting impression on the local populace of Itbayat. The streets buzzed with laughter and conversation as children played games and the adults shared their experiences, culture, and values with their new American friends.

Although their time on the island was short, the Marines made the most of it by engaging in various community service events, including painting several buildings on one of the local school campuses and picking up trash around the area to give the children a better environment to learn and play.

As a show of thanks, the Itbayat school’s leadership invited the U.S. and Philippine Marines to a joint dinner with the heads of the Barangay, the staff, and the students.

“The volunteering that 3rd MLR and the PMC conducted during these three exercises really opened some eyes as to what we’re fighting for,” said Sgt. David Palacios, a native of Florida and a squad leader with 3rd Littoral Combat Team. “When our Marines see the Filipino civilians leading peaceful lives, they understand what they are there to protect.”

The impact of the Marines’ volunteer service left a permanent mark on the hearts and minds of the local Filipino populace and forever changed the Marines and Sailors who had the opportunity to participate.

​“I think we made a good impact on the community,” reflected Rodriguez. “It meant a lot for us to be welcomed with open arms and to be able to have genuine connections with everyone we met on the Batanes and Northern Luzon. I hope we get the chance to see them all again soon.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia  –  

Forty members of the Washington National Guard and their Malaysian Armed Forces counterparts wrapped up a successful first week of the Bersama Warrior 2024 staff exercise with a mission analysis brief on June 8, 2024, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Since arrival in Malaysia, the Washington National Guard has integrated into a joint and combined multinational planning staff including personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines of both the U.S. and Malaysia,” Col. Jim Perrin said, Washington National Guard’s lead planner for Bersama Warrior. “Together, the combined staff completed academic sessions intended to communicate updates on multinational doctrine and immerse participants in the exercise scenario.”

Presented to Brig. Gen Michael Ake, land component commander, Washington Army National Guard, Brig. Gen. Ken Borchers, director of the joint staff, Washington National Guard and Brig. Gen. Brig Jen Datuk Mohd Zaini Hj Hashim, Malaysian Armed Forces, the mission analysis brief concludes with a refined commander’s appreciation and a recommended mission statement. Approval of the mission statement and refined commander’s intent is the final step before the training audience is divided into teams for course of action development.

“As a coalition task force, we were tasked with compelling the withdrawal of enemy forces following a fictional attack,” Perrin said. “The staff completed an operational and intelligence preparation of the environment process designed to assess enemy forces and the geo-political factors to ensure all planners approach the problem with a thorough contextual understanding, after receiving the commander’s guidance, the combined staff completed mission analysis to develop a thorough understanding of the task force’s mission.”

During the second week of the exercise, the staff will be organized into combined planning groups to build courses of action to compel the withdrawal of enemy forces.

“We will continue to refine the plan and build mutual understanding and processes among the participants this next week,” Perrin said.

​Since signing their formal partnership through the National Guard Bureau sponsored State Partnership Program in August 2017, the Washington National Guard and the Malaysian Armed Forces have met regularly through exercises like Bersama Warrior to enhance their mutual capabilities, security cooperation and people-to-people connections that extend beyond military cooperation.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Forty members of the Washington National Guard and their Malaysian Armed Forces counterparts wrapped up a successful first week of the Bersama Warrior 2024 staff exercise with a mission analysis brief on June 8, 2024, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

“Since arrival in Malaysia, the Washington National Guard has integrated into a joint and combined multinational planning staff including personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines of both the U.S. and Malaysia,” Col. Jim Perrin said, Washington National Guard’s lead planner for Bersama Warrior. “Together, the combined staff completed academic sessions intended to communicate updates on multinational doctrine and immerse participants in the exercise scenario.”

Presented to Brig. Gen Michael Ake, land component commander, Washington Army National Guard, Brig. Gen. Ken Borchers, director of the joint staff, Washington National Guard and Brig. Gen. Brig Jen Datuk Mohd Zaini Hj Hashim, Malaysian Armed Forces, the mission analysis brief concludes with a refined commander’s appreciation and a recommended mission statement. Approval of the mission statement and refined commander’s intent is the final step before the training audience is divided into teams for course of action development.

“As a coalition task force, we were tasked with compelling the withdrawal of enemy forces following a fictional attack,” Perrin said. “The staff completed an operational and intelligence preparation of the environment process designed to assess enemy forces and the geo-political factors to ensure all planners approach the problem with a thorough contextual understanding, after receiving the commander’s guidance, the combined staff completed mission analysis to develop a thorough understanding of the task force’s mission.”

During the second week of the exercise, the staff will be organized into combined planning groups to build courses of action to compel the withdrawal of enemy forces.

“We will continue to refine the plan and build mutual understanding and processes among the participants this next week,” Perrin said.

​Since signing their formal partnership through the National Guard Bureau sponsored State Partnership Program in August 2017, the Washington National Guard and the Malaysian Armed Forces have met regularly through exercises like Bersama Warrior to enhance their mutual capabilities, security cooperation and people-to-people connections that extend beyond military cooperation.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

U.S. Air Force personnel and an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing arrived in the Republic of Korea on June 12, 2024, in support of an ongoing joint, combined exchange training iteration with U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command personnel.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Planning and preparations are being finalized for the 29th biennial Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), a multinational exercise involving 29 nations and more than 25,000 personnel, set to run June 27 to Aug. 1, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines  –  

U.S. and Philippine Army soldiers and distinguished guests come together for the closing ceremony of the 2024 Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable (JPMRC-X) exercise held at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, from 1-10 June.

​JPMRC-X featured approximately 1,500 troops assigned to the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division, 196th Infantry Brigade, and the Philippine Army’s 5th and 7th Infantry Divisions, as they worked side by side to enhance military readiness and interoperability with the goal of strengthening peace and security in the region. The exercise also highlighted subject matter expert exchanges between the U.S. and Philippine Armies to provide instruction and learn best practices in several key functional areas, including movement and maneuver, fires, sustainment, and protection.

“Over the last several months, the training has been absolutely world-class,” said Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, 25th Infantry Division Commander. “The ability to work alongside your division staff and soldiers has made us better war fighters, it’s increased our lethality, it’s developed cohesive teams between our two armies, and forged relationships that will continue to grow and prosper for generations to come.”

The exercise tested the U.S. Army’s strategic readiness and demonstrates the ability of the installation, material, and sustainment enterprise to rapidly move Soldiers, equipment and supplies from the U.S. to the Indo-Pacific Theater at scale.

“This exercise is a realization of our shared belief in the importance of training,” said Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, Commander of the Philippines Army. “It serves as a way to enact a joint readiness and strengthen or cooperation allowing us to function more effectively in emerging situations as allies.”

The presence of U.S. forces and training alongside the Philippine Army is a tangible demonstration of U.S. security commitments to the Philippines and strengths both of our armies via tough physical and intellectual challenges.

“Over the last 10 days, these teams have shared hardships from the weather, the terrain, and relentless opposing force comprised of Soldiers from the United States Army and Scout Rangers from the Philippine Army,” said Evans.

As our oldest treaty ally in East Asia, the Philippines plays a key role in helping secure a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region. Through exercises like JPMRC-X, we enhance our ability to work together, building upon our collective strength towards ensuring a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific region

“As the Philippine Army shifts its focus to territorial defense, training exercises like this remain a high relevance,” said Galido. “To this, our soldiers can be trained for more complex and realistic scenarios, large scale movement, and sustainment.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines  –  

In the heart of Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, U.S. Army Soldiers from Echo Company, 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, dove into the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable (JPMRC-X) exercise, adopting roles as opposing forces (OPFOR) for Exercise Salaknib 2024. From June 1 to June 10, they lent their expertise to the intricate maneuvers unfolding in central Luzon.

For the 100th Infantry Battalion, a unit steeped in history, this wasn’t just another training exercise. They stand as the sole infantry battalion within the Army Reserve, a distinction that adds weight to their contributions.

“My battalion is one of the most decorated units for its size,” said U.S. Army 1st Lt. Patrick Calilung, Echo Company commander. “During World War II, the determination and the actions of the original members of the 100th Battalion garnered them the motto ‘Go For Broke’.”

Originally comprising Japanese Americans from Hawaii and the mainland, the 100th Infantry Battalion distinguished themselves in the European theater. Their motto, borrowed from Hawaiian gambling slang, encapsulated their ethos of risking everything for a chance at victory.

Today, their ranks span the U.S. Army Pacific region, with Soldiers stationed in Guam, Saipan, and Hawaii, carrying forward the spirit of their predecessors. This spirit animated their participation in JPMRC-X, where they assumed the mantle of OPFOR.

“As part of JPMRC-X/Salaknib, we provided a company of OPFOR along with our counterparts, the 5th Scout Rangers of the Philippine Army,” said Calilung. “Together, we were the OPFOR for the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.”

The 100th Infantry Battalion’s cunning tactics tested the 25th Infantry Division, making every objective a hard-won victory. Through rigorous training and immersive learning experiences, they gleaned insights into the nuances of the exercise, honing their skills in a dynamic environment.

“Being able to go country to country and train with other military forces is a great deal for us,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Norman De Los Reyes, an infantryman assigned to Echo Company. “Sharing the experience, the knowledge and being able to understand the terrain helps us in our battalion to apply it when we do real life missions.”

Amidst the rigorous maneuvers of the JPMRC-X exercise, the 100th Infantry Battalion seized every opportunity to showcase their mettle. With strategic finesse and unwavering determination, they consistently outmaneuvered their adversaries, earning respect and admiration from fellow participants.

“It’s a great training opportunity away from Hawaii, which is the place we usually train at,” said Calilung. “I think for my battalion, this exercise has been significant and beneficial. It kind of shows that even though we’re Army Reserve, we can still train and compete with the other components and other national armies.”