Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION FUTENMA  –  

The 1st Marine Aircraft Wing returned its MV-22s to flight status on March 14, as the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) deemed the aircraft safe to fly based on a meticulous and data-driven approach that prioritized flight worthiness and safety.

“The Marine Corps has confidence in the Osprey, and we are laser-focused on the safety and mission readiness of our pilots and aircrew,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Bradford J. Gering, Deputy Commandant for Marine Corps Aviation. “Our people have been and will always be our top priority. The Air Force CV-22 mishap is a tragedy, and we honor the legacy of those eight fallen service members by diligently and deliberately applying what we have learned from that day as we return to flight operations. We have worked extensively on plans and timelines that support a deliberate, methodical, and safe return to flight. We are flying the Osprey again because our airworthiness authority cleared it for flight, because we trust our well-established operational risk management procedures, and most of all because we trust our professional pilots, aircrew and maintainers to safely get this combat-proven aircraft back into the fight.”

Since the grounding on Dec. 6, 2023, the Marine Corps focused highly on the MV-22 Aircrew. The aircrew remained informed by the facts regarding the grounding bulletin, mitigated the impacts of not flying, maintained confidence in the aircraft, and were prepared to employ on a moment’s notice around the globe.

“During the four-month grounding period, aircrew development persisted through simulator training and academic endeavors. Simulator sessions provided opportunities to hone skills in challenging scenarios such as high-altitude landings and emergency procedures, mitigating risks through simulated in-flight practice,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Jason Laird, commanding officer of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 265, Marine Aircraft Group 36, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. “Complex tactical simulations facilitated leadership skill development and enhanced readiness for combat missions. Academic training, including individual study and peer-led classes, complemented simulator experiences, fostering maximum knowledge retention. Despite the grounding’s temporary disruption to in-air currency, the unit continually refined aircrew capabilities.”

The Marine Corps has confidence in the analysis conducted by NAVAIR as the Airworthiness Certification Authority for the V-22 program and the engineering analysis driving the return to flight decision.

“To effectively balance crisis response and modernization, we must articulate the importance of Operations and Maintenance funding of ground and aviation training, maintenance, safety, and readiness…” stated Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Eric M. Smith in Fragment Order 01-2024, “Maintain Momentum”.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea  –  

Forty Wisconsin National Guard Airmen and Soldiers spent the week of March 17-22 collaborating with, and training alongside, members of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force in support of the State Partnership Program.

The cost-effective State Partnership Program is administered by the National Guard Bureau, guided by State Department foreign policy goals, and executed by the state adjutants general in support of combatant commander and U.S. Chief of Mission security cooperation objectives and Department of Defense policy goals. The Wisconsin National Guard and Papua New Guinea began their partnership in 2020, and since have had several key leader engagements and site visits to strengthen that relationship.

This recent exchange of subject matter experts included medical and security training, as well as instruction in how to train fellow troops, collaboration with senior noncommissioned officers, and meetings between senior leaders. In addition, Wisconsin National Guard troops worked through the challenges of shipping equipment and resources into the Pacific region in order to better understand what operations would look like in such an environment.

“It is great to be able to bring our Soldiers and Airmen over here to experience the country and culture, while laying groundwork and building relationships with the Papua New Guinea Defence Force as well as the people of Papua New Guinea,” said Maj. Gen. Paul Knapp, Wisconsin’s adjutant general.

Members of the Wisconsin Army National Guard’s 426th Regional Training Institute and the 135th Medical Company worked with Papua New Guinea Defence Force medics on training other medics. Master Sgt. Clint Vervoren, a senior advisor for Health System Services at the Wisconsin National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters, has been collaborating with his counterparts in Papua New Guinea since visiting last year.

“It ultimately came down to really focusing on building their instructor pool so they could better convey the information, and prop them up using their own medical training management plan (TMP),” Vervoren said. “We were able to use their TMP that they had just recently developed and teach their instructors how to read the TMP, how to connect with their students, and how to get the information across efficiently.”

Sgt. 1st Class Lindsey Breivogel, a master resilience trainer with the National Guard Master Resilience Training Center at the 426th Regional Training Institute, worked with the Papua New Guinea medics on teaching others.

“There is a lot that goes into how to be an instructor,” Breivogel said. “We went over the left and right limits of an instructor, how to get discussions going, and how to take material and get the group involved. I was impressed by the speed in which they processed what we taught them and then were able to demonstrate it back right away. As soon as we gave feedback, they were implanting that on the very next try.”

Staff Sgt. Mckenzie Knight, a comprehensive medical training instructor with the 426th Regional Training Institute, shared how she leans on personal experiences to facilitate discussions.

“They were so excited to learn and we could tell they wanted to be there,” Knight said. “They wanted that knowledge, and they have so much pride for what they do. It was refreshing and inspiring.”

According to Breivogel, class feedback suggested the collaboration was successful.

“I asked them what they learned today, and one of the students said, ‘I learned that the instructor is not the most important person in the room,’” Breivogel recalled. “This is such an important lesson to learn, and it’s one they picked up on through our discussions and instruction without ever hitting directly on that idea.”

Knapp met with Commodore Philip Polewara, acting defence chief of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force, at the Kumul Leadership Centre in Murray Barracks.

“This partnership is very valuable in the Pacific, for both Wisconsin and our country,” Knapp said.

During an exchange of gifts, Knapp presented Polewara with a framed print of an interaction between Soldiers of the 32nd Division and a Papua New Guinean sketching a diagram in the dirt from Nov. 15, 1942 during the campaign to drive the Japanese army out of Buna.

“Images like this show us where the relationship between Wisconsin and Papua New Guinea began,” said Capt. Florian Waitl, Wisconsin National Guard command historian, “reminding us that we once worked shoulder-to-shoulder — which is a tradition we hope to continue as we strengthen the partnership between the two countries.”

Knapp agreed.

“This ongoing partnership continues to present new opportunities for growth,” Knapp said.

Vervoren has seen Wisconsin National Guard and Papua New Guinea participants build on prior exchanges.

“We’re able to bring more people in, so more people have continuity, and we’re able to continue to build that relationship,” Vervoren said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to come back and see how they’ve developed as instructors, see how we can readdress some of the instructor training, and build on what they’ve learned.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Military representatives from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and U.S. Pacific Air Forces met with People’s Republic of China People’s Liberation Army representatives for the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 3-4, 2024.

This year’s MMCA working group discussions were the first following U.S. President Joe Biden’s bilateral meeting with PRC President Xi Jinping Nov. 15, 2023, where both leaders agreed to resume direct military-to-military talks. The last MMCA working group event was held virtually December 14-16, 2021.

“The Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group is USINDOPACOM’s primary means to directly discuss air and maritime operational safety with the PLA,” said U.S. head of delegation Army Col. Ian Francis, director, Northeast Asia Policy, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. “The United States will continue to operate safely and professionally in the Indo­-Pacific wherever international law allows, and we take this responsibility seriously. Open, direct, and clear communications with the PLA—and with all other military forces in the region—is of utmost importance to avoid accidents and miscommunication.”

During the 2024 MMCA working group meetings, both U.S. and PRC officials reviewed safety-related events over the last few years, and discussed sustaining maritime and aviation operational safety and professionalism, the common understanding on safe operational interactions between U.S. and PRC air and naval forces, and continued implementation and assessment of the Rules of Behavior for Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters Memorandum of Understanding.

“We are encouraged that the PLA is honoring its commitments to the MMCA working group and look forward to future productive discussions to safeguard the safety of our military operators in the region,” said Francis.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

INDIAN OCEAN  –  

A Bomber Task Force deployment of two U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortresses, Airmen and support equipment from the 2nd Bomb Wing, Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, concluded at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, April 3.

This deployment was in support of Pacific Air Forces’ training efforts with Allies, partners, and joint forces and strategic deterrence missions to reinforce the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Our biggest objective is to continue demonstrating our commitment to the security of the Indo-Pacific region and to our allies there, showing our dedication to these global relationships,” said Lt. Col. Vanessa Wilcox, 96th Bomb Squadron and BTF commander.

The BTF managed significant logistical challenges, including long-duration flights exceeding 30 hours, which tested and ultimately reinforced the crew’s endurance and operational readiness.

“Flying for over 24 hours, pushing into the 30-hour range, is a challenge,” Wilcox said. “It builds on our readiness, training to the capabilities we need to reach different parts of the globe, specifically across the Pacific.”

This deployment was carried out by a smaller footprint of Airmen compared to routineB-52 BTF deployments.

“The ability to move a smaller group of people across the Pacific quickly is a testament to our capability to perform our job anywhere, anytime, and we are on watch 24/7 to deter our adversaries,” Wilcox said.

Diego Garcia provides an unmatched strategic base, a testament to the U.S.’s ability to support operations in this crucial geographic area.

“We have decades of history in the Indian Ocean, stationed out of Diego Garcia across multiple conflicts,” Wilcox said. “This and Andersen Air Force Base are our most significant and stable hubs to operate out of in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Achieving a successful BTF deployment with fewer personnel and resources speaks to the innovative approaches and capabilities the Air Force continues to develop.

“We are able to truly demonstrate our ability at a moment’s notice to execute, to have that strong, credible bomber force enhancing the security across the Pacific or any area of responsibility we’re operating in,” said Wilcox. “And by being able to do it with such a small group of people, you get to see how effective we can be.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii  –  

In a significant effort to bolster relations and underscore mutual dedication to regional security and stability, the United States Army and the Philippine Army are conducting Salaknib 24. This critical bilateral military exercise underscores the shared commitment of both nations to advance the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines by enhancing our interoperability across all domains and reaffirming our dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

An addition to this year’s iteration is the integration of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center (JPMRC), marking the U.S. Army’s first regional combat training center (CTC) in the Indo-Pacific region, with a primary focus on addressing the distinctive challenges of the remote, rigorous, and austere environments. With the integration of JPMRC-X (exportable) in the Philippines, Salaknib 24 marks the debut of the most comprehensively equipped JPMRC exercise, featuring the fully instrumented JPMRC capability deployed west of the International Date Line.

“The integration of JPMRC with the Armed Forces of the Philippines during this year’s iteration of exercise Salaknib underscores our unity and collective commitment to a safe, stable, and secure Indo-Pacific. This not only fortifies our mutual defense capabilities but helps to deter present and future challenges in the region,” said Gen. Charles Flynn, commander of U.S. Army Pacific.

The execution of JPMRC-X in the Philippines is focused on supporting the Philippine Army’s development of its Combat Readiness Training Area (CRTA) at Fort Magsaysay and is conducted with a brigade from the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division, in coordination with the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division and 196th Infantry Brigade. The JPMRC rotation will occur from June 1 to 10, 2024, facilitating a platform to build capacity between our militaries through shared experiences and training and further develops our combined combat capabilities to defend a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Alongside JPMRC-X in the Philippines, a pivotal aspect of this year’s exercise is the first deployment of the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force’s Mid-Range Capability (MRC), a land-based, ground-launched system that supports multi-domain fires. This deployment aims to enhance Philippine maritime defense capabilities, while bolstering interoperability and readiness within the U.S.-Philippine Alliance. During last year’s Halifax International Security Forum, Flynn disclosed that MRC would rotate into the theater sometime this year.

“The inclusion of MRC, combined with our subject matter expert exchanges, is crucial for deepening our partnership. These efforts enhance our interoperability and demonstrate our shared commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific,” remarked Brig. Gen. Bernard Harrington, commander of 1MDTF.

The deployment focuses on enhancing interoperability, readiness, and defense capabilities in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In addition to MRC, the All-Domain Operations Center Forward of 1MDTF, positioned in Northern Luzon, will serve as the central command node for its series of small, multi-domain cells dispersed across the Philippines.

During Salaknib 24, approximately 600 U.S. Army personnel will participate in the initial phase, and a projected 1,500 U.S. Army personnel in the second phase. In addition to JPMRC-X in the Philippines, Salaknib 24 will feature subject matter exchanges between the U.S. and Philippine Army to provide instruction and learn best practices in several key functional areas, including multi-domain operations, infantry operations, urban breaching, jungle operations, joint forcible entry, air and direct assaults, javelin, and anti-tank operations.

Salaknib 24 directly supports the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and USARPAC efforts in enhancing bilateral U.S. land power capacity and capabilities for joint operations. By bolstering our collective readiness with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Salaknib improves our operational capabilities and strengthens the longstanding and strong U.S.-Philippine Alliance, displaying our dedication to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command hosted a luncheon March 25, to recognize and celebrate the impact of more than 30 service members and civilians within the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. The first of its kind, held in conjunction with Women’s History Month, and highlighted the significant contributions of women in joint interagency crisis preparedness and response.

The attendees included representatives from USINDOPACOM, service component commands, installation commands and the federal interagency, and included a virtual message from the first female Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator, Deanne Criswell.

“From the wildfire response in Maui to the hurricanes in Guam, emergency response operations have a growing role, and the event sought to highlight the value of diversity when it comes to problem-solving and crisis contingencies,” said Criswell.

“I would like to see more women in the emerging information and cyber fields as they are becoming more vital to how we view the world,” said Dede Kalaukoa Figueira, deputy director, manpower and personnel directorate for INDOPACOM. “Women may hear and think about things another way. Even though we may share some of the same experiences we are able to offer different perspectives.”

Jacqueline Freeland an honoree recognized for her service serves as the emergency manager and installation protection officer for MCBH Kaneohe Bay. She has spent 30 years in federal civilian service and remarked on the changes she’s seen in that time.

“The field of emergency management has evolved,” Freeland said. “Having been recognized for my own hard work during my career meant a lot to me. I’ve seen with my own eyes the number of women in the field has increased during my tenure making recognition very important, especially for women.”

Women’s History Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments, contributions and sacrifices of women throughout the nation’s history, including many within the uniformed and civil services.

This year’s theme, “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion,” underscores the importance of perspective and experience toward building effective teams.

“Your contributions before, during and after disasters have saved lives and have helped us build more resilient communities across our nation,” Criswell. “The truth is, we still do not have enough diversity in our professions. But we need more diverse voices to better serve communities.”

While guest speakers celebrated the recent accomplishments of those being recognized, they also highlighted the work still being done to promote women’s full and equal participation in peace and security as a requirement toward sustainable peace. In 2019, USINDOPACOM created an office of Women, Peace and Security to oversee command-wide implementation to shape and impact efforts throughout the region that will enhance understanding of complex challenges within the Indo-Pacific.

“While we have seen immense progress over the last few decades in gender equality and in women’s advancement within the security sector, there still remains real glass ceilings, and barriers that require the leadership, innovation and capabilities of both women and men to overcome,” said Sharon Feist, the director for Women, Peace and Security at USINDOPACOM. “We cannot be in the business of providing security if we don’t understand how conflict and crisis affect different segments of the population in distinct ways.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Department of Defense spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout:

Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner hosted Singapore Ministry of Defence Deputy Secretary for Policy Frederick Choo at the Pentagon today for the 9th U.S.-Singapore Mid-Term Defense Review.

Both officials reaffirmed the progress the United States and Singapore have made to deepen their longstanding partnership on defense cooperation.

They reviewed ongoing bilateral defense initiatives – including force posture cooperation and high-end air-to-air training – and agreed to continue strengthening U.S.-Singapore collaboration on a range of efforts, including maritime domain awareness and emerging technologies.

The two officials also reiterated that the partnership between the United States and Singapore is built on common principles, underscoring their mutual commitment to supporting the security, stability, and prosperity of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

While at the Pentagon, Deputy Secretary Choo also met with Acting Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Sasha Baker to discuss the close defense cooperation between both countries.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP CASEY, South Korea  –  

A deployed U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) company has assumed the rotational U.S. Army forces mission near the world’s most heavily guarded border.

American Soldiers from the Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington-based 45th CBRN Company (Hazardous Response) are contributing to the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance during a rotational deployment near the Korean Demilitarized Zone.

The company assumed the Korean rotational force mission from the Fort Drum, New York-based 59th CBRNE Company, Feb. 28.

During the deployment, the company is supporting the 23rd CBRN Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and Eighth Army.

The 45th CBRN Company “Phoenix” is part of the 110th CBRN Battalion, 48th Chemical Brigade and 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command, the U.S. Department of Defense’s premier CBRNE formation.

American Soldiers and U.S. Army civilians from the 20th CBRNE Command deploy from 19 bases in 16 states to confront and defeat the world’s most dangerous hazards in support of joint, interagency and multinational operations.

U.S. Army Hazardous Response companies conduct CBRN reconnaissance, surveillance and decontamination operations with conventional and Special Operations forces around the world and provide support to civil authorities across the nation.

Capt. Michael Vane is the commander for the 45th CBRN Company and 1st Sgt. Julian Ollivierre-Brewer is the senior enlisted leader for the company.

“We bring a unique capability to detect, protect, assess and mitigate CBRN hazards through our mounted Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle (NBCRV) reconnaissance platoon and dismounted Hazard Assessment platoons,” said Vane.

The company has also added Korean Augmentees to U.S. Army (KATUSA) troops to the company to improve cultural understanding and technical and tactical integration and interoperability.

“We have aggressively adopted the ‘fight tonight’ mentality as an enabler within 2nd Infantry Division,” said Vane. “We conducted an emergency deployment readiness exercise (EDRE) six days after our main body flight arrived on the Korean Peninsula,” said Vane. “By successfully alerting, marshalling and executing our core mission essential tasks, we displayed our ability to ‘fight tonight’ and to be ready to answer our nations call whenever needed.”

Although he considers Santa Cruz, California, home, Vane has lived in many states while growing up as a part of an Army family. Vane’s father is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and his older brother and older sister are both Army majors.

“The reason I joined the Army and continue to serve is directly correlated to my parent’s character and values that they instilled into our family,” said Vane. “I joined to ensure that when called upon, our service members will be ready to support and defend our Constitution and its citizens as well as win our nation’s wars.”

A prior enlisted combat engineer and Army Chemical Corps officer with 11 years of service in the Army, Vane graduated from Christopher Newport University with a biology degree.

Vane and Ollivierre-Brewer are one of the few U.S. Army Chemical Corps company command teams to have two Ranger-qualified leaders.

Originally from Oceanside, California, Ollivierre-Brewer has served in the U.S. Army for 16 years and earned his business management degree from Penn State University. Also from a military family, Ollivierre-Brewer said that he welcomed the opportunity to serve in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps.

“Growing up, each family member spoke so fondly of their service experiences, so I always wanted to contribute to our family’s military service history,” said Ollivierre-Brewer. “The thing that I enjoy most about the U.S. Army Chemical Corps is the diversity of duty assignments. It is one of the few occupational specialties that has assignment opportunities within most unit types and levels of warfare and analysis.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea  –  

Airmen from the 8th Maintenance Group further diversified their knowledge and skill set of security and threat response during a week-long exercise, Beverly Sentinel 24-1, Mar. 25-29.

As the primary line of effort, 8th Fighter Wing Airmen aimed to strengthen a more mission-ready combat force and 8th MXG Airmen were no exception as they simultaneously provided armed guard surveillance over vital infrastructure and equipment while generating airpower in contingency periods.

“We simply cannot accomplish the Wolf Pack mission without protecting our assets,” said Master Sgt. Sean McKinney, 80th FGS production superintendent. “Our Airmen need to adapt and exercise different processes on how to protect our assets and equipment.”

Airmen from the 8th MXG began the week with refresher training honing their general arming procedures and receiving constructive feedback after every scenario from proficient security forces Airmen.

Patroling crews consisting of different maintenance squadrons provided armed guard surveillance across the flight line including F-16 Fighting Falcon launches.

“By being trained in multi-faceted techniques on how to safeguard our aircraft, we ensure that we are fully prepared for the future fight and to take the fight north,” said McKinney.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

For the third time following the historic trilateral summit at Camp David in fall 2023, fighter aircraft from the U.S., Japan, and the Republic of Korea conducted the third trilateral aerial escort flight of U.S. bombers operating in the Indo-Pacific, April 2, 2024.

U.S. F-16s from the 80th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Wing flew alongside Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) F-2s from the 8th Air Wing, and Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) F-15Ks from the 11th Wing, escorting two U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortess Bombers.

The enhanced complexity and fluidity of our collective forces demonstrate the strength of the partnership and cooperation between the three countries, keeping with commitments made to regularize defensive exercise and increase readiness.

Our commitment underscores the shared vision for a secure, rules-based, and open Indo-Pacific region.