Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

OKINAWA, Japan  –  

Marines assigned to U.S. Marine Corps Forces Cyber Command deployed to Okinawa, Japan as part of the inaugural iteration of a new cyber rotational force concept.

The cyber rotational force concept brings experts in defensive cyber operations to assist tactical and operational units stationed with geographic combatant commands.

“Cyber defense is crucial, and as our capabilities continually mature, it is important that we support the warfighters and units tasked with ensuring our competitive edge throughout the globe,” said Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Ryan P. Heritage, the commander of MARFORCYBER. “Ensuring we have the skills and resources to maintain resilient, reliable networks to support rapid decision making at every level is at the heart of what we do. This is just another step in realizing that goal.”

The team, made up of defensive cyber operations professionals assigned to MARFORCYBER, will join with defensive cyber operations Marines assigned to III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Their mission will be to harden Marine Corps and joint networks in order to better enable the maneuver of units throughout the Western Pacific, knowing that critical infrastructure, networks and systems are effectively monitored and secured.

The forward deployment of cyber forces to operational theaters such as the INDO-PACIFIC, is one way MARFORCYBER is assisting units’ operational and tactical network resiliency in challenging environments.

“Protecting critical networks located inside the weapons engagement zone of several regional adversaries is essential to our ability to physically and virtually maneuver,” said Lt. Gen. William M. Jurney, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. “We are excited to work with MARFORCYBER on the cyber rotational force concept and, look forward to the resilience and flexibility their experts can provide our force.”

While the cyber rotational force’s immediate mission is to harden the networks units in the Western Pacific rely upon to complete their mission, it is also a chance to refine the tactics that will be needed in future conflicts against sophisticated adversaries.

“As the threat to our critical cyber infrastructure evolves, it is essential that the Marine Corps be able to defend our forward deployed networks,” Jurney said. “This will be crucial to the Marine Corps’ development of the expeditionary advance basing and stand-in force concepts.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

VISAKHAPATNAM, India  –  

U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked upon the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25), arrived in Visakhapatnam, India to participate in the third iteration of Exercise Tiger TRIUMPH between the U.S. and India, March 18.

Tiger TRIUMPH, which stands for Tri-Services India-U.S. Amphibious Exercise, is a combined, joint exercise between U.S. and Indian Armed Forces focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief readiness and enhancing interoperability, and will be held from March 18-31, in port and the waters near Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, India.

TT24 will highlight the improved bilateral compatibility and interoperability between U.S. and Indian Armed Forces, and enhanced bilateral, joint, and services readiness to better achieve mutual regional security objectives in the Indian Ocean region and beyond.

“Our Marines and Sailors are excited to be here for the third iteration of Tiger TRIUMPH and train alongside the Indian Armed Forces,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Lindsay Mathwick, commanding officer of Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th MEU, and commander of troops aboard Somerset. “We are looking forward to enhancing our combined and joint capability with our Indian partners across the range of military operations and continue to strengthen our shared vision of a secure Indo-Pacific.”

This year’s exercise will focus on advancing large-scale joint and combined interoperability for HADR operations. The exercise is scheduled to include a harbor phase, followed by a sea phase where U.S. and Indian forces will practice combined operational maneuver, command and control, and joint sustainment operations. Service members will also participate in cultural and athletic events.

Somerset and the embarked elements of the 15th MEU are part of the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th MEU team. The Boxer ARG and 15th MEU team will operate in a disaggregated construct during parts of its deployment. Somerset and embarked elements of the 15th MEU are under the command and control of Combined Task Force 76/3, employed by U.S. 7th Fleet to operate with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Media queries can be directed to the TT24 Combined Joint Information Bureau Director, LCDR Andrew DeGarmo at andrew.r.degarmo.mil@us.navy.mil. For more information, photos, and stories about 15th MEU participation in TT24, visit www.dvidshub.net/units/15thMEUpa.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III hosted President Wesley Simina of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) at the Pentagon today to reaffirm the strong defense and security ties between the United States and the FSM.

The two officials welcomed the recent successful effort by President Biden and Congress to advance the Compacts of Free Association Amendments Act of 2024, which provides funding for the 20-year extension of economic assistance to the Freely Associated States (FAS) under the Compacts of Free Association (COFA). Additionally, they expressed gratitude for the decades of distinguished service by FSM citizens in the U.S. military made possible under the Compacts.

The two officials also underscored the importance of ongoing discussions between both countries to explore opportunities for new cooperation on U.S. defense posture in the FSM, including in the State of Yap, as well as exercise opportunities in the region.

Secretary Austin’s meeting with President Simina comes as the United States continues to strengthen partnerships across the Pacific Islands region, including with the FAS. In August 2021, Secretary Austin met with the President of the Republic of Palau, and he met in September 2022 with the President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

The Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Australia; the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom; and Lloyd J. Austin III, Secretary of Defense, United States.

One year ago, on 13 March 2023 in San Diego, the Leaders of Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced the Optimal Pathway. The Optimal Pathway outlines an ambitious plan to deliver a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability (SSNs) for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) – a plan that will strengthen our three countries’ combined military capabilities, boost our collective industrial capacity, set the highest non-proliferation standard and enhance our ability to promote stability and security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

AUKUS is built on the bedrock of decades of close defense, capability and technology cooperation between our three nations and is a natural progression of our partnership. Today, AUKUS partners welcomed the announcement of the selection of ASC Pty Ltd and BAE Systems to build Australia’s SSN-AUKUS submarines, and the selection of ASC as Australia’s nuclear-powered submarine sustainment partner.

The formation of these strategic partnerships with industry is a significant milestone in the AUKUS endeavour. It is a demonstration of our trilateral industry supporting the Optimal Pathway becoming a reality and will underpin Australia’s role as a capable security partner and responsible steward of a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability for decades to come.

The enduring trilateral partnership between the governments of Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States supports these commercial relationships and further enables the close industrial collaboration across our three countries in support of AUKUS.

ASC and BAE Systems will build the SSN-AUKUS submarines for the Royal Australian Navy. BAE Systems has been at the heart of the UK’s submarine enterprise for generations. SSN-AUKUS is being trilaterally developed, based on the United Kingdom’s next-generation design and incorporating technology from all three nations, including cutting edge United States submarine technologies. Also to be built by the UK and operated by the Royal Navy, SSN-AUKUS will be equipped for intelligence, surveillance, undersea warfare and strike missions, and will provide maximum interoperability among AUKUS partners.

ASC has been at the centre of Australia’s sovereign submarine program for decades as Australia’s sovereign submarine sustainment partner, and the builder of Australia’s Collins-class submarines. ASC will build its sustainment capability for SSNs, including through partnering opportunities with UK and US industry. Sustainment capability is critical to the Optimal Pathway, accelerating Australia’s ability to operate and sustain its own Virginia class submarines as soon as possible and contribute to regional security, together with AUKUS partners.

The Optimal Pathway was always designed to create a stronger, more resilient trilateral submarine industrial base, supporting submarine production and maintenance in all three countries. The announcements today are a testament to that – the build of SSN-AUKUS will increase opportunities for industrial base collaboration, strengthen our collective industrial base capacity, and generate economic growth in defense and national security sectors in all three countries. Similarly, the announcement of Australia’s sovereign sustainment partner is a key milestone to build Australia’s capacity to operate and sustain nuclear-powered submarines. ASC will, in time, develop robust industry partnerships with UK and US businesses to gain the technical skills, know-how and capacity to sustain nuclear-powered submarines.

All AUKUS partners are investing significantly to ensure success of the Optimal Pathway and are working at pace to transform and integrate our trilateral industrial bases to support SSN cooperation.

• Australia has agreed an AUD$1.5 billion investment for early priority works at HMAS Stirling, to put in place the enablers for the safe and secure rotational presence of United Kingdom and United States SSNs through Submarine Rotational Force-West from 2027. Australia has also commenced enabling works at the future nuclear-powered submarine construction yard at Osborne Naval Shipyard in Adelaide. All up, Australia has committed at least AUD $18 billion in infrastructure upgrades across South Australia and Western Australia over the next 10 years to enable critical milestones for the Optimal Pathway.
   
• The United States has announced the intended investment of USD $11.4 billion in its submarine industrial base across the five-year defense budget period starting in 2025 to increase the production rate of Virginia class submarines as quickly and effectively as possible, to meet its own fleet requirements and support U.S. commitments under AUKUS.
   
• The United Kingdom also announced last year that it would inject GBP £3 billion into its Defence Nuclear Enterprise, including the construction of submarine industrial infrastructure that will help to deliver the SSN-AUKUS program. Subsequently, Rolls-Royce has announced that it will double the size of its Derby site to support the delivery of the UK and Australian programs, which will include building all of Australia’s nuclear reactors.

Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States remain fully committed to this shared endeavour. These steps to grow Australia’s submarine construction and maintenance capability are critical to the AUKUS partnership, expanding trilateral industrial capacity and building the collective resilience of AUKUS partners to produce and sustain conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines for decades to come.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Japan Engineer District (USACE JED) is the premier Department of Defense (DoD) military construction (MILCON) agent in the Pacific, providing facilities-related design and construction work in Japan for all military services and agencies.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

DEDEDO, Guam  –  

In a testament to readiness and operational excellence, Task Force Talon’s E-3 ADA THAAD Battery conducted a Table VIII evaluation for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system stationed in Guam, March 11-15, 2024.

E-3 THAAD Battery, equipped with a state-of-the-art missile defense system, is tasked with defending Guam and its surrounding areas against potential ballistic missile threats. Amidst evolving security challenges in the region, completing the Table VIII evaluation highlights the unit’s preparedness to effectively deter and counter emerging threats. The evaluation showcased the unit’s proficiency in missile defense operations and underscored its critical role in bolstering regional security in the Pacific.

Senior Air Defense leaders from the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, and 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade served as evaluators.

“Table VIII is the first assessment in the series of gunnery tables that brings in external evaluators to assess the Battery’s proficiency on their gunnery task as a collective,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jennifer Burns, Lead Evaluator.

Soldiers underwent rigorous training scenarios designed to test their ability to deploy, operate, and maintain the THAAD system under simulated combat conditions. From rapid deployment drills to simulated missile engagements, the evaluation encompassed a range of tasks to assess the unit’s combat readiness and proficiency.

The TF Talon commander, Lt. Col. Jonathan Stafford, said, “The evaluators certified that all the crews from the THAAD battery were proficient on all aspects of the Defense of Guam mission. Great job, E-3!”

Completing the Table VIII evaluation reaffirms TF Talon’s commitment to excellence and its indispensable role in safeguarding peace and security in the Pacific. With Guam serving as a strategic outpost in the region, TF Talon’s presence is pivotal in deterring aggression and preserving stability in the Indo-Pacific theater.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

RAYONG PROVINCE, Thailand  –  

Supervisory Special Agent Erin Chow, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation, Far East Field Office became the first Army CID special agent to participate in the multinational Indo-Pacific military exercise Cobra Gold, held annually in Southeast Asia. This year’s exercise took place February 27 to March 8, 2024.

Cobra Gold, established in 1982 and originally a bilateral exercise between the Kingdom of Thailand and the United States, has since expanded and now includes the countries of Japan, The Republic of Korea, the Republic of Singapore, the Republic of Indonesia, and Malaysia. In its 43rd iteration, Cobra Gold is the longest running multinational military exercise in the world. The 2024 exercise involved 9,000 service members, including 4,500 from the United States, with a total of 30 nations participating, either actively or as observers.

“This exercise is a decades-long example of the enduring partnerships that bind our nations together,” Lt. Gen Xavier Brunson, the commanding general of U.S. I Corps and senior mission commanding general for the exercise, said during the opening ceremony. “As we train and learn from one another, we symbolize the strength that comes from unity, shared goals, and commitment to regional stability.”

Later in the exercise, Lt. Gen. Brunson personally expressed his appreciation to Special Agent Chow for her assistance and support for Cobra Gold 2024.

Representing Army CID, Special Agent Chow was able to coordinate with the Royal Thai Military, Royal Thai Police, U.S. Embassy in Thailand, and I Corps headquartered at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Special Agent Chow established herself as the point of contact for all on-ground U.S. Army law enforcement matters with a Department of Defense nexus and a U.S. Army interest.

Along with establishing herself as the point of contact for U.S. Army law enforcement matters, she also facilitated coordination between the U.S. Ambassador to Thailand and Lt. Gen. Brunson’s security team via the U.S. Embassy Regional Security Office and the Department of State Diplomatic Security Service to assist in protection during the opening ceremony.

“The Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division is continuously seeking ways to provide professional criminal investigative support to the Army,” said Special Agent-in-Charge Michael DeFamio of the Army CID Far East Field Office, home-based at Camp Humphreys South Korea  “Our presence in the Far East and participation in Cobra Gold illustrates Army CID’s commitment to maximizing our jurisdiction and being there for the Army, whenever we are needed.,”

Special Agent Chow was grateful for the opportunity to be present during the exercise and especially appreciative of the assistance and mentoring from Michael Young of the DoD Force Protection Detachment Team at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok, Thailand. “Without his help and support, my mission would not have been possible,” she said.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  –  

The 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry-ROK/U.S. Combined Division joins forces with the ROK army 5th Engineer Brigade to participate in a combined wet gap crossing training exercises as part of the annual combined training held near the Imjin River in Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do from March 11-20, 2024.

“Today the 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry-ROK/U.S. Combined Division successfully completed a wet gap crossing together with the ROK 129th Engineer Battalion. This is the culmination of over a week of training and progression involving hundreds of U.S. and ROK Soldiers,” explained Lt. Col Brent Kinney, 11th Engineer Battalion commander. “What we demonstrated here today is a testament to the strength of our alliance and capabilities as a combined team. The ability to identify, seize, and cross challenging terrain ensures we can maintain forward momentum on the battlefield.”

ROK and U.S. Army units utilized aviation, armor, air defense, chemical, biological and defense capabilities to train the security and protection of the site during the exercise that was designed to verify interoperability through the construction of a joint pontoon bridge.

Approximately 200 Korean soldiers, 270 U.S. Soldiers, 65 pieces of ROK-US engineering equipment such as Ribbon Pontoon Bridges (RBS), Improved Ribbon Bridges (IRB) and CH-47 Chinooks were deployed to provide engineering support necessary for joint operations.

CH-47 Chinooks carried out air transport of bridging assets. This capability to provide air transport of crossing materials can be used to construct gap crossings in times of conflict when land movement is impossible due to road damage or normal bridge launching restrictions.

“With the idea that operations are training and training is operations, it was a good opportunity to maximize the interoperability of ROK-U.S. crossing equipment and improve combined operation performance capabilities,” said Major Kim Jin-woo, commander of the 5th Engineer Brigade Doha Company.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

President Biden will host President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. of the Philippines and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan on April 11 at the White House for the first trilateral U.S.-Japan-Philippines leaders’ summit.  At the summit, the leaders will advance a trilateral partnership built on deep historical ties of friendship, robust and growing economic relations, a proud and resolute commitment to shared democratic values, and a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. The leaders will also reaffirm the ironclad alliances between the United States and the Philippines, and the United States and Japan. At the summit, the three leaders will discuss trilateral cooperation to promote inclusive economic growth and emerging technologies, advance clean energy supply chains and climate cooperation, and further peace and security in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.

In addition, President Biden will host President Marcos for a meeting at the White House on April 11to review the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippines relations and discuss efforts to expand cooperation on economic security, clean energy, people-to-people ties, and human rights and democracy. The President will reaffirm the ironclad alliance between the United States and the Philippines and emphasize U.S. commitment to upholding international law and promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SOUTH KOREA  –  

To strengthen crisis response in the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, and the Republic of Korea Marine Corps conducted exercise Warrior Shield 24, which includes the Korean Marine Exchange Program, rehearsing close air support combat scenarios using the deployed virtual training environment at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and forward air controller officers from 5th ANGLICO and the ROK Marine Corps came together multiple times throughout the year to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures, mastering their combined skills in calling in air strikes.

To comprehend and meet the demands of the future operational environment, the team familiarized themselves with complex missions in distributed maritime and urban environments and locating enemy targets using advanced capabilities. ROK and U.S. Marines role-play real-world scenarios to facilitate live-fire CAS.

The ROK and U.S. Marines successfully navigated existing language barriers. U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Sung M. Shin, joint fires and effects integrator with 5th ANGLICO, shifts from speaking in English to Korean with ease. ROK Marine Gunnery Sgt. Jiwo Kang conducted a 9-line CAS brief in English during one control. The close integration of tactical forces and conduct of complex training highlighted the strength and flexibility of the ROK and U.S. relationship.

“I’m doing my job as an interpreter and JTAC. This is my fourth time participating in this exercise with 5th ANGLICO. It is pretty awesome working with them,” explains Kang. “It is a great opportunity to enhance JTAC skills and strengthen our alliances. I’m learning a lot of things from 5th ANGLICO like how to conduct CAS more effectively, and how to avoid collateral damage.”

Following a week of simulations, the team relocated to Pilsung Range to conduct a live-fire bilateral Tactical Air Control Party event with joint fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. Live ordnance fired at targets close to friendly troops makes close air support one of the most delicate combat roles of military aviation and artillery.

Under modern battlefield realities, the team also practiced their ability to remain undetected and avoid being located, targeted, and ultimately killed by a potential adversary. Employing long-range fires, the ROK and U.S. Marines were enabled to deploy distributed, low-signature, lethal, networked, persistent, and joint expeditionary capabilities that can dominate throughout the littorals.

“Live-fire close air support training is essential to enhance forward observers and JTACs’ capacities to coordinate, execute, and deconflict fires, increasing lethality,” says Capt. Brandon B. Dontogan, a field artillery officer and team lead. “Adding in joint and bilateral training pushes this concept even further with us coordinating with different branches and partner nations to execute attacks and strike targets as one team. The frequency and depth of our training underscores a shared commitment to regional security.”

The ROK-U.S. alliance has been the foundation of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula for over 70 years. The combined training ensured the ROK and U.S. Marines are tactically and technically proficient, and able to respond decisively to aggression across the Peninsula.