Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

OSAN AIR BASE, GYEONGGIDO [KYONGGI-DO], South Korea  –  

The 51st and 8th Fighter Wing conducted agile combat employment training during Ulchi Freedom Shield 24 at a cooperating base location in the Republic of Korea, Aug. 19-23, 2024. UFS24 is a combined exercise designed to bolster the operational readiness and defensive capabilities of U.S. and ROK military forces, ensuring they remain ready to respond to any potential threats.

During the defense-oriented exercise, both wings rapidly mobilized to an unspecified location in the ROK, sending equipment, personnel and aircraft to test their abilities to generate airpower and conduct flying operations with limited resources in an unfamiliar environment.

“Executing ACE operations during UFS allows us to deploy small, flexible teams anytime, anywhere, while maintaining a minimal footprint,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jeeno Justiniano, 51st FW inspector general. “It enables us to execute a wide range of tasks at any location, from assembling munitions to launching aircraft.”

ACE is a strategy that enhances flexibility and resilience of forces, providing the ability to swiftly respond to any conflicts from any location, while also presenting layers of operational unpredictability to an adversary’s decision making. Both wings, as part of Seventh AF, worked together to deliver tactical, live flying in support of the numbered AF’s command-and-control training efforts during UFS24.

“Exercising ACE as a live-fly event from a dispersed location allowed our personnel to test and refine the communications and logistical requirements from the headquarters down to the tactical units,” said Maj. Zachary Johnson, Seventh Air Force deputy chief of plans. “This enables us to further refine the educational requirements of our multi-capable airmen, and will inform how units are organized, trained, and equipped.”

This exercise also follows the joint-efforts of the Seventh AF’s “Super-Squadron” initiative, where the 8th FW temporarily reassigned aircraft to the 51st FW as part of a combat optimization test. This specific exercise movement was one of the first tactical movements of the joint Super Squadron initiative.

“The Super Squadron is more than just a merge of Fighter Generation Squadrons,” said Maj. Alex Carmona, 8th FW ACE Cell Lead. “Through application of tactics, techniques and procedures, we’re structured to support and sustain scalable ACE operations.”

“This training gives us military flexibility and better enables our forces to deter aggression, defend the Republic of Korea, and, if required, defeat any attack against the Alliance,” said Johnson.

The implementation of ACE during UFS24 is vital for maintaining a robust defense posture on the peninsula, showcasing the Seventh AF’s ability to rapidly respond to emerging threats under various conditions. The 51st FW’s participation not only highlights its adaptability but also reinforces the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance through the joint planning and execution of dispersed operations throughout the Korean Peninsula and the Indo-Pacific theater.

“We train alongside our ROKAF and fellow USAF counterparts to ensure we’re fully synchronized and ready to respond together,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Bryan Meek, 36th Fighter Squadron alpha flight commander. “UFS provides us with a wartime operational tempo so that when the time comes, we’re ready to ‘Fight Tonight’ with our allies, just as we’ve practiced.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MANILA, Republic of the Philippines   –  

The U.S. and Philippines completed Exercise Tempest Wind 2024, a bilateral, Whole of Government (WOG), interagency counterterrorism (CT) exercise conducted in the Philippines, August 15-30, 2024.

TW24, a crisis action mission rehearsal, addressed contingency operations to applying current policies, authorities, and approvals of both the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the United States Government (USG). This integrated, WOG of the Philippines approach provided the most realistic environment possible to exercise strategic CT policy involving senior decision-making challenges and tactical CT responses, while deepening the overall partnership with the GPH.

This was the 15th iteration of Tempest Wind, and the Philippines third time hosting the event, having previously hosted the event in 2017 and 2023.

“We extend our gratitude to our ally, the people and the GPH, for hosting this exercise in the spirit of our shared interests and desire to collaborate and address counterterrorism security challenges in the region,” said U.S. Army Col. Sean Berg, U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) deputy commanding officer and U.S. special operations forces commanding officer for TW24.

Over 350 personnel participated in complex events designed to rehearse counterterrorism (CT) strategy to develop joint capabilities, strengthen the alliance, and deepen the WOG bilateral relationship. The exercise tested the ability of both nations to rapidly plan, coordinate, and conduct CT operations. The mission rehearsal also included a command post exercise that challenged Philippine and U.S. forces’ ability to plan, command, and communicate with each other in a simulated environment.

“The experience gained during TW24 complements our mutual training interests and the combined ability to respond to crises across a range of military operations. This gives us a more durable and strengthened advantage against malign actors and terror organizations,” said Berg.

The training was tailored to help the region’s security forces work together in responding to terrorist incidences, while deepening the CT partnership between the United States and Philippines.

“Events like Tempest Wind provide a solid foundation for continued regional peace and security. These kinds of events posture us and our allies to be ready to counter terrorism however it may present itself,” said Berg.

Tempest Wind is one of many exercises that are part of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s military-to-military engagement program and are conducted with nations throughout the Indo-Pacific region, allowing U.S. forces and our allies and partners to increase skills in diverse environments.

“These robust theater exercise programs demonstrate U.S. commitment to defending the rules-based international order, highlight our resolve to our allies and partners, and build relationships between our forces,” added Berg, “Tempest Wind strengthens international partnerships and regional allies and partners’ ability to rapidly respond to crises throughout the region, promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific that brings peace, stability, and prosperity to all.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Super Garuda Shield 2024, a multinational military exercise hosted by Indonesia, is underway. This critical exercise highlights the robust strategic partnership and interoperability between the U.S., Indonesia, and a coalition of other participating nations. Hosted in Indonesia, this year’s iteration has grown in scale and complexity, further reinforcing the strategic partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

BUSAN, BUSAN GWANG’YEOGSI [PUSAN-KWANGYOKSHI], South Korea  –  

Military Sealift Command (MSC) reserve-component Sailors traveled to Pier 8, Busan, South Korea, and participated in exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield 2024, Aug. 19-29.

Exercise UFS 24 is a combined exercise between the U.S. and Republic of Korea with participation from United Nations Command Member State militaries as well as U.S. and ROK governmental agencies to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance response capabilities. The annual exercise was focused to ensure a constant state of readiness and is defensive in nature.

The 11-person team of MSC Sailors were from Reserve unit MSC Far East Det. 101 out of St. Louis.

Despite their small exercise footprint, the scope of the training was both diverse and complex, managing a large number of simulated U.S. government and commercially contracted dry cargo ships and fuel tankers to and from the Korean area of operations.

According to Navy Reserve Capt. Jonathan B. Bass, chief staff officer, MSCFE Det. 101, MSC-related scenarios included adverse weather, unscheduled maintenance, fueling of vessels, bunkering, and working with host nation port authorities.

During UFS 24, the MSCFE team monitored and directed all simulated MSC shipping traffic throughout the western Pacific.

“We’re that liaison between the ship and port operations,” said Bass. “Having the knowledge and familiarity with our ships and their [ROK] ports are important. We can help spot issues and recommend courses of action if our ships need to be diverted to another port. We can advise if a port is capable of receiving a ship of a particular size or draft.”

At Pier 8, the Sailors from MSCFE Det. 101 augmented permanent MSC Office Korea (MSCO-K) staff. They helped man a 24/7 crisis action team, and the Combined Seaport Command Center, which is a centralized command and control center that can manages cargo ships at ports throughout South Korea.

MSCFE Sailors worked closely with MSCO-K, the Army’s Surface Deployment and Distribution Command, and ROK army and Navy personnel.

“The Naval Reserve augments we receive from the MSC Far East Reserve unit are critical to MSCO-K’s successful participation in UFS and our support to U.S. and ROK Alliance,” said Cmdr. Patrick J. Moore, commanding officer, MSCO-K. “Being able to have a number of Sailors participating in this exercise for the first time also ensures we continue to expand the training audience and build depth on the bench. The team performed extremely well and integrated seamlessly with the MSCO-K team.”

Despite yearly participation, this exercise provides a continuous challenge for the MSC reserve unit. Every year, the majority of reserve unit members are new to the Korean peninsula and to UFS. Some members had to travel far to their U.S. drill site in St. Louis, prior to ramping up for the exercise.

“We have a good mix of people from various parts of the U.S. that are participating this year,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steven D. Pascal, watch stander with MSCFE Det. 101. “They are also a wide range of rates.”

The Reserve team was made up of information systems technicians, administrators, quartermasters, gunner’s mate, interior communications technicians, information system technicians, logistics specialists, and officers.

“When they show up, they’re well prepared and ready to go from day one,” said Pascal. “Only four of the 11 have been to Korea before. We’re constantly training the next wave of folks; it’s an ongoing process.”

Pascal, from Lenexa, Kan., was on his third consecutive year supporting the exercise in South Korea. His main focus this year was to provide the necessary training and guidance he’s garnered from those years of experience to those who are here for the first time.

“This is such a unique exercise, you really don’t understand what’s going on until you sit in that watch-stander seat and see firsthand what is going on,” said Pascal. “There are so many components involved.”

Prior to the exercise at the Navy Reserve Center, the team discussed expectations, command structure, and understanding the Korean culture.

“All our preparation at home paid off,” said Pascal. “These folks have been training hard. We have a lot of new people but they’re doing well, and between the mixes of people that have done this a couple of times, we have the right skills, and we have the right people.”

MSCO Korea provides operations, logistics, maintenance, and administrative support for all MSC operated, controlled, and interest vessels in support of the Type Commander and/or as directed by the Area Commander in support of the Fleet Commander.

MSC Far East supports the U.S. 7th Fleet and ensures approximately 50 ships in the Indo-Pacific Region are manned, trained, and equipped to deliver essential supplies, fuel, cargo, and equipment to warfighters, both at sea and on shore.

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

Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, MSC exists to support the joint warfighter across the full spectrum of military operations, with a workforce that includes approximately 6,000 Civil Service Mariners and 1,100 contract mariners, supported by 1,500 shore staff and 1,400 active duty and Reserve military personnel.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PUSLATPUR 5, Indonesia  –  

Super Garuda Shield 2024, a multinational military exercise, has united armed forces from multiple nations, highlighting the strength of international partnerships and the importance of joint operational readiness. The Joint Operations Center (JOC) is central to this effort, a command post where seamless coordination across land, air, and sea domains takes place, emphasizing interoperability and multi-domain warfare.

The Garuda Shield exercise has evolved from a longstanding U.S.-Indonesia bilateral exercise into Super Garuda Shield, a combined joint multilateral exercise. Running from Aug. 26 to Sept. 6, 2024, in East Java, Indonesia, it involves Indonesia, the United States, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Brazil, Brunei, India, South Korea, New Zealand, and Thailand.

The JOC plays a critical role in the exercise by facilitating rapid information sharing and decision-making across multinational forces. U.S. Army Capt. Gene Maslink, the combined task force battle captain from the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, described it as “a command post that coordinates the air, sea, and land domains of warfare.”

Maslink highlighted the JOC’s strength in integrating multinational partners, including battle captains, liaison officers, intelligence analysts, and logistics planners.

Super Garuda Shield 2024 focuses on enhancing interoperability among partner forces, allowing them to operate cohesively across multiple domains. This exercise demonstrates how different branches and nations can synchronize efforts in a complex, multi-domain environment. Maslink noted that “Exercise Joint Strike,” which utilized intelligence assets from the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and Indonesia National Armed Forces, showcased the task force’s ability to engage targets and demonstrate combined capabilities rapidly.

Japan’s participation, represented by Japan Self Defense Force Maj. Atsushi Mori, underscores the collaborative nature of the exercise.

“It’s essential to strengthen cooperation with partners and like-minded countries,” Mori said, emphasizing the JOC’s role in deepening mutual understanding and fostering a free and open Indo-Pacific.

The exercise includes a range of operational scenarios including jungle training exercises to amphibious raids exercises, reflecting the diverse nature of military operations in the Indo-Pacific. The JOC’s ability to coordinate such operations in a combined joint and multilateral context is indispensable.

Mori added, “We are in the JOC to solve problems for training and reduce friction on site rapidly, with an emphasis on mutual understanding and synchronization.”

As the exercise progresses, it will serve as a critical platform for the U.S., Indonesia, and partner nations to enhance collective security capabilities. The JOC remains a symbol of unity and collaboration, with the relationships and procedures established here improving the effectiveness of this exercise and laying the groundwork for future operations. This joint effort ensures that participating nations are better prepared for the challenges of an increasingly complex global environment.

Super Garuda Shield 2024 is a testament to enduring partnerships. Maslink said, “We’ve learned a lot from each other so far, and we’ve established enduring communication systems and operational procedures to enhance our partnership. Each exercise we conduct continues to build trust and readiness between our forces.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SOUTH KOREA  –  

Eighth Army completed its portion of Ulchi Freedom Shield 2024 Thursday, Aug. 29.

UFS24 is an exercise where the Republic of Korea and the United States trained to reflect the Korea Theater of Operations — a combined, joint, multi-domain, and interagency operating environment. UFS24 tested the ROK-US alliance with complex challenges and included comprehensive after-action reviews to ensure constant improvement. This iterative annual event strengthened the security and stability on the Korean peninsula and across Northeast Asia.

Eighth Army’s participation in this annual exercise aimed to improve interoperability between Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea, the United Nations Command, and ROK Joint Chiefs of Staff, ensuring their ability to fortify the combined defense posture and enhance alliance response capabilities against a spectrum of security threats. It featured live, virtual, constructive, and field-based training, engaging personnel from the military services and other federal agencies.

During the exercise, Eighth Army conducted extensive combined training with the Republic of Korea Army, both on training ranges and within combined operations centers throughout South Korea. All six of Eighth Army’s major subordinate commands participated.

Eighth Army exercise participants include the 2nd Infantry Division – ROK-US Combined Division, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, 501st Military Intelligence Brigade, 65th Medical Brigade, 1st Tactical Theater Signal Brigade and 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.

Eighth Army and ROK Army units are the ground component of one of the key training points of UFS24, which conducted multi-domain operations leveraging land, sea, air, cyber, and space assets with emphasis on counter-nuclear operations and non-kinetic effects. Combined training exercises with the ROK Army included live-fire gunneries and command and control integration. Extensive medical and logistics training events were also conducted.

Training with the ROK Army allows for seamless coordination and combined operations, enhancing Eighth Army’s overall defense capabilities. The combined training exercises and shared intelligence contribute to a high level of interoperability, enabling Eighth Army to respond swiftly and effectively to any threat.

Conducted in the spirit of the Oct. 1, 1953, ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and in support of the Armistice Agreement, UFS24 underscores the enduring military partnership between the ROK and the U.S. It reinforces the role of the Alliance as a linchpin for regional peace and security, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the U.S. to defend the ROK.

In conjunction with UFS24, ROK-led and U.S.-led units conducted several large-scale, combined training sessions, enhancing interoperability and elevating combat readiness. These regular exercises aim to bolster security and stability not only on the Korean peninsula but also across the Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Key military leaders from the United States, Indonesia, and other participating nations, including U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kevin Williams, deputy commander for operations, 25th Infantry Division, and Indonesian Maj. Gen. Widyargo Ikoputra, gathered in East Java, Indonesia, on Sept. 2, 2024, for a Combined Arms Rehearsal (CAR) in preparation for the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) during Super Garuda Shield 2024.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

The United States and Republic of Korea (ROK) conducted the first U.S.-ROK Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) simulation, an interagency table-top simulation, Sept. 5-6, in Washington, D.C. ROK and U.S. national security, defense, military, diplomatic, and intelligence officials participated in the simulation, which was a deliverable from President Biden and President Yoon’s April 2023 Washington Declaration. 

The simulation greatly contributes to the work of the NCG, especially by strengthening the Alliance’s approach to cooperative decision-making about nuclear deterrence and planning for potential nuclear contingencies on the Korean Peninsula. Through the NCG, the United States and ROK will work to continuously improve combined exercises and training activities on the application of nuclear deterrence on the Korean Peninsula — including through regularized table-top exercises and whole-of-government simulations. The United States reaffirmed that its extended deterrence commitment to the ROK is ironclad.

The simulation, in conjunction with other standing bodies for consultations on extended deterrence, including the NCG and the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group, greatly strengthens U.S.-ROK extended deterrence cooperation.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii  –  

Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron, Director J5 Policy and Plans, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosted Capt. Peter Tupma, Chief of Force Capability Development, Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) at USINDOPACOM headquarters September 4, 2024, for the Bilateral Defense Dialogue (BDD).

The BDD serves as a forum for bilateral consultations between PNGDF representatives and USINDOPACOM to strengthen cooperation and advance defense programs that enhance relations between our security forces, encourage greater regional military cooperation, and promote the common interests of both countries.

The Dialogue focused on military cooperation, civil-military operations including disaster relief, and training and education opportunities, such as professional military education.

Humanitarian assistance, along with support for ongoing health, sustainability, and economic programs in the region, is designed to build partner capacity to address these issues. USINDOPACOM forces recently completed exercise Pacific Angel 24, which focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, laying a strong foundation for continued cooperation.

The long-term partnership with Papua New Guinea (PNG) is based on shared values and mutual respect, underscoring the progress made to enhance our cooperation and deepen our regional partnerships in the areas of the economy, security, health, and energy. This annual forum builds on persistent engagements and our enduring commitment to PNG and the Indo-Pacific region.

The BDD is a testament to the ongoing commitment to enhance defense cooperation, reflecting shared values and a mutual interest in promoting regional stability and security. This dialogue not only reinforces existing ties but also opens new avenues for collaboration in areas such as disaster relief and training, further solidifying the partnership between the two nations.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

VIETNAM  –  

Pacific Angel 24-3 concluded in Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces, Vietnam, with a closing ceremony following 10 days of concurrent engineering, medical events and subject matter expert exchanges, Aug. 30.

“These missions are critical to deepening cooperation and interoperability across the Indo-Pacific to confront common challenges in humanitarian relief and disaster response efforts in order to enhance capacity and combined readiness,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Bradley Emmet, Pacific Angel 24-3 mission commander. “I’m extremely proud of the efforts over the past 10 days, and thank our host nation for their cooperation and coordination with our team.”

During the 10-day mission, members assigned to 356th Expeditionary Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force Squadron conducted construction efforts by repairing and renovating the Tinh Khe Elementary School and the Tinh Khe Medical Clinic. With a combined 1,200 man-hours dedicated to these efforts while overcoming extreme heat and language barriers, the team completed the renovations and were able to increase patient capacity at the Tinh Khe Medical clinic and ensure the students were in a fully functioning classroom by the first day at the Tinh Khe Elementary School.”

“This is a great opportunity for us to expand our partnership in this region. We were able to take away a lot of great information from the local community and leaders while also giving back to this province.” said Master Sgt. Steven Thomas, Pacific Angel 24-3, project lead. “We look forward to the next iteration of Pacific Angel where we can expand on these efforts.”

While engineering efforts were taking place, U.S. Air Force medical teams were hosting and conducting medical exchanges with the Vietnam Air Force. During these exchanges, the U.S. Air Force medical members exchanged their practices and techniques with the Vietnamese Air Force, better integrating multilateral capabilities and enhancing interoperability in the region.

Pacific Air Forces look forward to expanding engagement opportunities, particularly in areas of humanitarian aid/disaster response, security enhancement, aviation safety, airlift and maintenance to leverage training programs, and enhance partner capacity tools and defense trade.