Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

On Sept. 4, the foreign affairs and defense agencies of the United States and Republic of Korea (ROK) convened the fifth meeting of the Extended Deterrence Strategy and Consultation Group (EDSCG) in Washington. Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Bonnie Jenkins and Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Cara Abercrombie led the U.S. delegation.  ROK First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Hong Kyun and Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Dr. Cho Chang Lae led the ROK delegation. 

The EDSCG serves as a key annual forum for the Alliance to discuss and coordinate on security strategy and policy issues affecting the Korean Peninsula and broader Indo-Pacific. The fifth EDSCG built on the progress of the previous years’ meetings and carried forward the significant Alliance efforts to strengthen extended deterrence since the April 2023 announcement of the Washington Declaration.

In the meeting, participants shared assessments on the DPRK’s dangerous and irresponsible behavior, including its ongoing missile launches and continued pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in violation of the relevant United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Both sides also shared concerns on the DPRK’s recent reckless and dangerous behaviors along the DMZ that raise the risk of inadvertent escalation on the Peninsula.  Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula consistent with UNSC resolutions. The two sides committed to further enhance coordination to address DPRK sanctions evasion, including malicious cyber activities, and bolster deterrence against DPRK nuclear attacks, as well as non-nuclear WMD attacks, which pose a threat of high consequence, strategic-level attacks to the Alliance.  The United States reiterated its strong support for President Yoon’s aim to open a path for serious and sustained diplomacy with the DPRK, and the goals of the ROK’s Audacious Initiative. Both sides reaffirmed that they remain open to dialogue without preconditions.

The ROK and the United States condemned the military cooperation between the DPRK and Russia, including arms transfers, which are in direct violation of UNSC resolutions, and identified measures to address the challenge posed by increased DPRK-Russia security cooperation.  Both sides resolved to closely monitor what Russia provides to the DPRK and urged Russia and the DPRK to abide by the relevant UNSC resolutions.

The ROK and the United States recognized the deepening interconnectedness between the Indo-Pacific and the Euro-Atlantic and discussed the implications for deterrence and U.S. nuclear posture. The two sides considered the impact of non-nuclear threats to the Alliance, including emerging technologies, and committed to leverage Alliance technology advantages to enhance the Alliance’s deterrence and defense posture. They pledged to continue to utilize the diplomatic, informational, military, and economic tools available to the Alliance to strengthen deterrence and reinforce the U.S. security commitment to the ROK.  To that end, both sides committed to cooperating with likeminded partners to counter foreign misinformation on extended deterrence.  Both sides welcomed the significant advances made by the Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG) in its first year, including the completion and signing of the NCG Guidelines.  In the context of a deteriorating security environment, the principals conducted a scenario-based discussion, for the first time at the EDSCG, to strengthen policy planning and coordination. 

Acknowledging mounting regional threats, the ROK and the United States committed to continue close cooperation to ensure that ROK and U.S. strategies and postures enhance peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.  The United States reiterated its ironclad commitment to draw on the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to support extended deterrence for the ROK.  Both sides reaffirmed that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the ROK will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response, and the United States reiterated that any nuclear attack by the DPRK against the United States or its allies is unacceptable and will result in the end of that regime.

The co-chairs met with Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell in the State Department Treaty Room, where they applauded the EDSCG as an enduring Alliance forum to strengthen extended deterrence through cooperation between both countries’ diplomatic and defense establishments.  Following the meeting, the principals visited the National and Nuclear Risk Reduction Center and praised the rich history of the Alliance at a press conference, where they commended the continued progress of the EDSCG. The next high-level EDSCG meeting will be held in 2025.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nevada  –  

The U.S. Army’s only Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW) Battery, part of the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF), lived up to its “First-Round” lineage by participating in Bamboo Eagle, an eight-day U.S. Air Force Warfare Center-led joint exercise spanning various locations across the United States.

This exercise marked a significant milestone, as U.S. Army land-based fires were integrated into the U.S. Air Force-led exercise for the first time. Bamboo Eagle 24-3, brought together over 3,000 service members from four military branches, as well as participants from the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force.

“Bamboo Eagle is all about making sure we’re ready for any situation,” says U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alex Rich, 57th Wing Operations Director at Nellis Air Force Base. “We train in a variety of environments, from land to air to sea, so we’re prepared for anything. It’s also essential that we collaborate with other military branches, learning from their newest tools and tactics. Together, we can better understand and utilize these capabilities, strengthening our combined efforts and ensuring we’re always ready to face whatever challenges come our way.”

The integration effort’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed. As U.S. Army Lt. Col. Benjamin Blane, commander of 1MDTF’s Long Range Fires Battalion (LRFB), observed, “Participating in exercises like Resolute Hunter and Bamboo Eagle allows us to showcase the capabilities and potential of land-based fires, and we’re excited to see the joint community taking notice. The strong demand from our partners to integrate our capabilities into their operations is a clear validation of the value land-based fires forward in theater, and we’re committed to continuing to transform and integrate alongside them.”

Bravo Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment (LRFB), 1MDTF, quickly integrated into Bamboo Eagle 24-3, building on momentum from previous exercises. By leveraging the force package validated at the U.S. Navy-led joint exercise Resolute Hunter in June, the battery consolidated its gains and made significant strides in interoperability. A key factor in this success was the battery’s ability to deploy equipment and personnel across more than 1,000 miles and three states.

The LRHW battery’s integration with the Air Force during Bamboo Eagle 24-3 enabled it to operate in a new and demanding environment. Despite extreme heat, the battery demonstrated its ability to conduct sustained operations over an extended period. Throughout the eight-day exercise, the unit maintained a high level of readiness and operational tempo, participating in every pulse iteration and achieving a new level of Total Force integration.

The LRHW battery gained valuable insights into the benefits of integrating land-based fires with Air Force operations and sustainment efforts. U.S. Army Capt. Jennifer Lee, commander of Bravo Battery, 5-3 FA (LRFB), noted, “We’re integrating our land-based fires with Air Force operations and sustainment efforts, giving us a unique opportunity to test our capabilities in a truly joint fashion. We’ve learned valuable lessons from our Air Force partners, and I’m confident we’ll continue to build on this success.”

The Army’s LRHW development has been a multi-year endeavor, with Soldiers playing a crucial role in the prototyping process since 2019. Following initial hardware delivery in March 2021, the unit conducted New Equipment Training, consisting of four iterations, to familiarize Soldiers with the system. As the fielding process wrapped up by the end of fiscal year 2023, the unit shifted its focus to training, doctrine development, and refining tactics, techniques, and procedures.

In February 2023, the LRHW battery achieved a key milestone by successfully deploying the capability over 3,000 miles to Cape Canaveral, Florida, as part of Exercise Thunderbolt Strike, showcasing the Army’s ability to rapidly deploy the hypersonic system.

​As a theater-level unit and Joint Force enabler, assigned to the Indo-Pacific, the 1MDTF plays a vital role in synchronizing long-range precision fires layered with long-range precision effects to create multiple dilemmas and neutralize adversary A2AD (anti-access and area denial) networks. The 1MDTF’s proven innovation, agility, and lethality have led the Army to direct five full MDTFs in strategically significant locations worldwide.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

POHANG, Republic of Korea  –  

The Republic of Korea and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps are conducting Exercise Ssang Yong 24 from August 26 to September 7 in the Pohang area of Gyeongsangbuk-Do, South Korea, to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance’s combat readiness and improve interoperability.

Ssang Yong, held regularly since 2012, aims to enhance combined defensive posture on the Korean Peninsula. This year, the exercise includes more than 13,000 personnel from the ROK and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, as well as the U.K. Commando Force which is participating for a second consecutive year. The exercise also involves the ROK Army Aviation Command, ROK Air Force Operations Command, and the ROK Drone Operations Command.

The primary focus of this year’s exercise is to enhance the capability to conduct a combined-joint forcible entry operation, in which coalition forces would swiftly neutralize key enemy facilities to terminate a hypothetical conflict scenario. The ROK-U.S. Navy and Marine Corps conducted joint amphibious operations, followed by land-based operations to rehearse eliminating enemy forces.

Notably, this year’s exercise includes the first deployment of a combined ROK-U.S. battle staff, which commands amphibious operations from the Dokdo-class landing transport helicopter ship ROKS Marado (LPH-6112). This combined battle staff is assessing command and control capabilities and is developing lessons learned for future operations.

The exercise features large-scale joint and combined forces, including a division-sized landing force, the ROKS Marado and Dokdo (LPH-6111), the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4), amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA-6), more than 20 naval vessels, 30 aircraft such as the ROK Marine Corps’ MUH-1 “Marineon” helicopters, U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft, and ROK Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters, as well as 40 amphibious assault vehicles, including the Korea Assault Amphibious Vehicle.

Significantly, Ssang Yong 24 is the first time the U.S. Marine Corps’ next-generation Amphibious Combat Vehicle is employed in an exercise on the Korean Peninsula, conducting joint amphibious operations with the ROK Marine Corps. Furthermore, the ROK Marine Corps’ MUH-1 helicopters have undergone deck-landing qualifications on U.S. vessels for the first time.

The exercise’s decisive-action amphibious landing event took place on September 2 along the coastal area of Songra-myeon, Pohang. This phase included simultaneous amphibious and airborne simulated assaults:

• Reconnaissance units from the ROK Drone Operations Command provided real-time intelligence, while reconnaissance forces from the ROK and U.S. Marines, and UK Royal Marines, infiltrated the objective area via sea and air to conduct surveillance and guide precision strike rehearsals.

• Close air support provided by U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft and AH-1Z Viper helicopters launched from land and sea to neutralize enemy targets, setting conditions for the amphibious assault.

• Amphibious forces including Marines storming the beaches in ROK Assault Amphibious Vehicles and U.S. Amphibious Combat Vehicles to establish a beachhead, followed by the deployment of armored vehicles via U.S. and ROK Navy landing craft including Landing Craft, Air Cushion hovercraft and tank landing ships.

• Airborne forces completed a tactical airdrop from ROK Air Force C-130 transport aircraft, while the U.S. Marine Corps’ MV-22 Osprey, ROK Marine Corps’ MUH-1, ROK Army CH-47 Chinooks, and ROK Navy UH-60 helicopters rehearsed air assaults maneuvers.

• Following the successful amphibious assault, the ROK Marine Corps’ logistics units established a division-level Combat Service Support Area on the beach to sustain land operations.

• The landing forces then transitioned to land-based operations, including simulated CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear)-response elimination operations with combat casualty care exercises to further refine their combined training objectives.

ROK Marine Corps Lt. Col. Cho Hyun-Chul, who participated in the exercise as battalion commander of the landing forces, stated: “This exercise reaffirms the strong alliance between the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps and further strengthens our combined defense posture. Going forward, the ROK and U.S. Marine Corps will firmly retaliate against any provocation from the enemy.”

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Gabriel Tiggs, executive officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, said: “Rehearsing this kind of combined joint forcible entry training with an amphibious landing, then follow-on operations, is very important because of how complex they are. The defense of the Korean Peninsula depends on our ROK-U.S. forces to continuously work together, shoulder-to-shoulder, including this Ssang Yong and into the future.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

BAHRAN, South Korea  –  

U.S. Marines joined their Republic of Korea Marine Corps counterparts for an annual exercise, Ulchi Freedom Shield 24, forming the Combined Marine Component Command. During the exercise, the CMCC, as part of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, enhanced the integration of their combined combat power under a single command.

“Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield serves as a meaningful opportunity for ROK and U.S. Marines to work together and develop the full capabilities of a combined battle staff, which helps safeguard peace on the Korean Peninsula,” said Maj. Chang Kyun Kim, an exercise planner with the ROK Marine Corps.

Led by Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Roger B. Turner, the III Marine Expeditionary Force commanding general, and Lt. Gen. Kim Gye-hwan, ROK Marine Corps Commandant, the CMCC synchronized efforts to develop and prepare for diverse mission scenarios.

Turner also conducted battlefield circulation across ROK-U.S. training sites, observing various bilateral Korean Marine Exchange Program training events, including live fire ranges, demo training and confined space rescue training occurring concurrently with UFS 24.

During the Korean Marine Exchange Program and the UFS 24 Command Post Exercise, Marines enhanced partnership and interoperability through various combined training events and planning efforts.

“The U.S. and the ROK have a unique opportunity to carry on the legacy built on shared goals of combined defense readiness and fostering peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula,” said Maj. Jovanie Martinez, the III MEF Korea Exercise Planner. “This kind of training is crucial for keeping us prepared and shows how both nations are committed to the mission of ensuring stability in the region.”

UFS 24 and other U.S.-ROK exercises were conducted in support of the 1953 ROK-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty and Armistice Agreement. These training exercises highlighted the longstanding military partnership, ironclad commitment, and enduring friendship between the ROK and U.S.

​UFS 24 continues to solidify the alliance’s role as the cornerstone of peace and security in the region, reaffirming the ironclad commitment of the United States and Republic of Korea to defend their homelands together.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PUSLATPUR 5, Indonesia  –  

As part of the U.S. military’s collaboration with the Indonesian National Armed Forces, also known as the TNI, the two nations demonstrated a joint strike exercise, including an air, sea and land operation during Super Garuda Shield 2024, taking place at Puslatpur 5 on the east end of Java Island, Aug. 31, 2024.

Super Garuda Shield is an annual exercise hosted by Indonesia in partnership with multinational forces. It is an excellent opportunity to strengthen international relationships and to build shared land, sea and air partnerships. The joint strike exercise is a multinational strategic concept developed as part of Super Garuda Shield.

The joint strike exercise involved support from land rockets, naval fire, and aircraft defense, used to support coastal operations and improve strategic collaboration as partners. Indonesian officials were proud to display this developed concept to top ranking TNI and U.S. officers, including U.S. Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, TNI Gen. Agus Subiyanto, commander of the TNI, who joined to observe the exercise in action.

“We are witnessing two very inspiring things: first it is an example of precision, teamwork and professionalism,” Paparo said about the joint strike exercise. “What I think is even more meaningful is that what we are seeing is the future. The future of warfighting is increasingly ‘joint’.”

The joint strike exercise started with a U.S. reconnaissance from an unmanned aviation vehicle, also known as a UAV, to initially identify the target, while a TNI ScanEagle drone and an air reconnaissance asset, a Boeing 737, worked bilaterally for air patrol. After receiving the firing order from the UAV, the TNI fire direction officer carried out the calculation of the target data to be converted into shooting data, who then sent commands to the all-elements commander to conduct a firing sequence.

The missile demonstration included three different systems: a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), complemented by an Artillery Saturation Rocket System (ASTROS) and a Vehicle-Agnostic Modular Palletized intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance rocket equipment (VAMPIRE). This multi-purpose piece of military equipment allows soldiers to see the effect they have on a target after the initial strike. This is important to make knowledgeable decisions on where and when to focus artillery during training exercises. Multiple rockets were launched from these systems at a small target located several kilometers away.

Two U.S. Marine Corps helicopters, a UH-1Y Venom and AH-1Z Viper, were sent into the skies shortly after firing was completed to conduct a battle damage assessment of the target area. After the assessment of the exercise, the helicopters stayed in the skies to launch another attack on the target area.

To conclude the event, two TNI F-16 Fighting Falcons, carrying four MK 82 bombs on each plane, released the projectiles on the target area once again, demolishing the intended target and inciting celebration from the watching audience, filled with U.S. service members and members of the TNI, with other countries there to observe the event.

“Land, air, sea, cyber, information, all at once. We aren’t doing this to project power, we are doing this to demonstrate will. A demonstration of will so that we don’t have to fight,” Paparo said about joint strike exercise. To conclude the exercise, a TNI F-16 flew over the observation point after declaring the target satisfactorily demolished.

During the opening ceremony for Super Garuda Shield 2024, U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Harris II, commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard, shared his aspirations for the joint strike exercise and the bilateral training throughout Super Garuda Shield as a whole. “Every aspect of this year’s iteration of Super Garuda Shield should challenge us to collectively work together and achieve our training objectives.”

The joint strike exercise is just one of many examples of multinational collaboration and teamwork while achieving shared training objectives.

“I have to tell you how much I admire the work each and every one of you have done,” Paparo said during his closing remarks. “Look left, look right, look at the man or woman next to you and see how alike we are, how much we can learn from each other, how we can partner with each other, and how we can imagine our future.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea  –  

Personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, French Navy and Papua New Guinea Defence Force marked the successful completion of five days of bilateral training and increased mutual cooperation during the Pacific Angel 24-1 closing ceremony at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, August 30, 2024.

Pacific Angel 24-1 was a five-day search and rescue focused field training exercise and subject matter expert exchange. During the exercise, PNGDF personnel received training and exchanged knowledge with U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and French Navy subject matter experts on areas such as aircraft maintenance, adverse terrain survival and swift water personnel recovery.

“This is the first time we had PNGDF participate with U.S. aircraft, which goes a long way to building the capability for them to fly more complex military operations like humanitarian assistance and disaster response,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Todd Larson, Pacific Air Forces director of strategy and plans. “My biggest takeaway from this exercise is the variety of uniforms present, like that old saying goes… You don’t want to be exchanging business cards when disaster strikes, so these connections are great and should stand the test of time.”

Primarily a search and rescue centered exercise, Pac Angel 24-1 focused on establishing the PNGDF aeromedical evacuation capability and provided an excellent opportunity to improve combined readiness and interoperability between the U.S., RAAF and Papua New Guinea. It allowed for the exchange of techniques related to emergency response triage and care, casualty evacuation, infectious disease control, engineering programs, airfield operations and repairs.

During the closing ceremony, PNGDF Col. Bruno Malau, PNGDF chief of staff to deputy commander, briefed on this year’s exercise accomplishments, and stated that the exercise demonstrated remarkable dedication to the nations’ partnership.“I would like to congratulate you all on a successful exercise, this week we took a small but significant step in the right direction to improve the government’s ability to provide effective search and rescue capabilities,” Malau said. “This exercise ensured interoperability, Papua New Guinea’s growing military partnership with the United States and Australia, and strengthend our commitment to the promotion of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”Total participation included more than 60 U.S. Air Force, 18 Royal Australian Air Force, 9 French Navy and 45 PNGDF personnel, two HC-130J Combat King IIs from the 39th Rescue Squadron, one RAAF C-27J Sentry, one French Navy Dassault Falcon 20G and one PNGDF PAC-750.

​The U.S. military continues to strengthen relationships with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific through operations such as Pacific Angel to prepare for emergency situations and ultimately to preserve peace and stability throughout the region.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

QUANG NGAI, Vietnam  –  

United States Air Force medical teams from multiple major commands including Air Education and Training Command, Pacific Air Forces, and Air Combat Command conducted a four-day Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) with the Vietnamese Air Force in Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces, Vietnam, from Aug. 26-29, 2024, as part of Pacific Angel 24-3.

Over the four-day exchange, U.S. Air Force medical members shared their knowledge, capabilities and practices with the Vietnamese Air Force, enhancing capacity, interoperability, combined readiness, and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific.

“We are excited for Pacific Angel to return to Vietnam, especially in light of the recent upgrade between our nations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Santora, Pacific Air Forces Office of the Command Surgeon international health specialist,. “There is so much we can learn from each other and accomplish together.”

During this exchange, the medical team discussed various readiness and safety practices including the Mission Ready Airmen (MRA) concept, an approach of readiness implemented by the U.S. Air Force where Airmen are trained in a variety of skills and tasks outside of their primary Air Force Specialty, creating cross-functional teams capable of operating independently. U.S. Air Force engineers participating in Pacific Angel 24-3 showcased their Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) training and reviewed first aid kits being utilized in this Area of Responsibility (AOR).

Medical exchanges like these enhance U.S. relationships and interoperability with our regional Allies and partners by fostering the exchange of information and refining shared tactics, techniques, and procedures to better integrate multilateral capabilities and enhance interoperability in the region.

The objective for Pacific Angel 24 is to build humanitarian response and disaster relief capacity in the Pacific by facilitating cooperation between U.S. and host nation militaries, the U.S. Agency for International Development, host nation civilian medical and engineering professionals, and U.S.-sponsored and/or host nation sponsored NGOs.

​The U.S. military continues to strengthen relationships with regional Allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific through operations such as Pacific Angel to prepare for emergency situations and ultimately to preserve peace and stability throughout the region.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PUSLATPUR 5, Indonesia  –  

The U.S. Marines of Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Division hosted a live fire short bay range to train and strengthen relationships with strategic partners in the region, including the Japan Self Defense Force and Indonesian National Armed Forces, on August 28, 2024 near Puslatpur 5, Indonesia.

The ability for military forces from different nations to work seamlessly together is more crucial than ever. As the largest multinational exercise in the Indo-Pacific region, Super Garuda Shield 2024 underscores the importance of interoperability—the capability of armed forces from various countries to operate together effectively.

“The importance of training with allies and partners is that as U.S. service members, we can get deployed across the globe. So no matter where we are, hopefully there are partner forces. We need to be comfortable working with people we can’t necessarily speak a common language with,” said Sgt. Giovanni Correa, a reconnaissance Marine. “This is good training – we need to install trust in our partner forces and work to overcome these hardships.”

Multinational military exercises are more than just routine drills; they are vital for testing and improving the readiness of participating forces. The short bay range offers a platform for forces to refine their coordination, address potential gaps in communication, and build essential trust. The ultimate goal is to ensure that, when faced with real-world challenges, these forces can collaborate seamlessly, whether responding to a crisis or conducting joint operations.

“It’s important because if we are operating within island chains in the Pacific, the majority of the patrolling forces will be surrounded by heavy vegetation,” said Capt. Nathaniel Armendaris, U.S. Marine expeditionary ground reconnaissance officer. “And if they’re patrolling there and are caught in a near ambush, they need to know how to quickly react to contact and to establish fire superiority.”

A central focus of Super Garuda Shield 2024 was improving interoperability between partner nations. Communication systems, for instance, play a fundamental role in ensuring that information is exchanged swiftly and accurately among different nations. Super Garuda Shield 2024, however, posts significant challenges between participating countries due to language barrier.

“It’s been a steep learning curve to get through the language barrier to conduct amphibious operations, and even with something as simple as a live fire target acquisition drill, it’s been difficult,” said Armendaris. “But in learning how to better communicate with each other, we’re learning how to develop signal plans to best communicate effectively at the administrative level, as well as at the tactical and operational level.”

Beyond the immediate tactical benefits, the exercise had broader implications for regional security. One of the key outcomes was the strengthening of trust and confidence among participating nations. Regular joint exercises build mutual understanding and cooperation, which are essential for collaboration in times of crisis. This trust also acts as a deterrent to potential adversaries, demonstrating a united and capable front ready to address threats and maintain stability.

“Super Garuda Shield 2024 increases readiness and establishes a baseline of our ability to interoperate with strategic allies within the Indo-Pacific Command region,” said Armedaris. “With the Japan Ground Self Defense Force reconnaissance element and with the TAIFIB as well, we are working to develop a shared common understanding and establish a good baseline of which we can conduct basic reconnaissance operations.”

In addition to deterrence, the ability of interoperable forces to respond quickly and effectively in crises is another vital advantage. Whether dealing with natural disasters, conflicts, or other emergencies, nations with a history of working together can mobilize and deploy resources more efficiently. Super Garuda Shield 2024 showcased this capability, highlighting how joint training can enhance collective response efforts.

​As global challenges continue to evolve, the importance of military interoperability will only grow. Super Garuda Shield 2024 not only provides an opportunity for refining joint tactics and procedures but also reinforces the strength of international military cooperation. The lessons learned and the relationships built during such events are crucial for preparing for future challenges and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PALANGAN, EAST JAVA, Indonesia  –  

In a small Indonesian city just south of the Java Sea, U.S. Army’s 610th Engineer Support Company is aiding the Indonesian National Armed Forces in rebuilding a local school. The project is a small part of a larger operation known as Super Garuda Shield, the largest military training exercise between Indonesia and the United States to date. The annual two-week exercise runs this year from August 26 to September 6, 2024, and aims to advance military modernization and enhance joint capabilities.

The United States and Indonesia, building on a decades-long partnership, are entering a new era of cooperation under a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a collaboration between two governments who agree to continue to expand cooperation in all aspects of their relationship. The United States is dedicated to strengthening ties with Indonesia and working together to advance stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

The school renovation project took place at SD Negeri 2 Palagan, a state primary school in the Palagan province of Indonesia. SD is short for ‘Sekolah Dasar,’ the Indonesian word for elementary school. ‘Negeri’, translated literally to ‘country’, defines it as a local public school in Indonesia. The school, which teaches children ages three to twelve, and its surrounding area of Palangan are prone to floods during the monsoon season, which damages the building and makes access to local education more difficult.

“We are here with the Civic Action Program, just trying to leave an impact on this village,” said U.S. Army 1st. Lt. Jordan Dunn, officer in charge of the 610th Engineer Support Company. “The locals here in Palagan are always friendly, always bringing us food to try and games we can play. They have been super receptive to us, and we’ve felt nothing but welcome here.”

The United States is proud to participate in this Indonesian-led exercise to improve both nations’ capabilities across a wide range of military operations. Super Garuda Shield 2024 supports this goal by increasing opportunities for both militaries to work together in a complex and realistic training environment. Rebuilding and renovating SD Negeri has been a rewarding experience for U.S. service members, as they gain experience working with different materials and accounting for changing weather patterns, humidity and heat.

Dunn continued to discuss the benefits U.S. Army Soldiers receive from these humanitarian projects. “This is what our Soldiers do, apart from strategically building bunkers, airfields, and such; we go out and we build infrastructure. This can very easily be translated over to providing power and infrastructure down the line for a future operation.”

​Super Garuda Shield is an annual exercise that has significantly grown in scope and size since 2009. Super Garuda Shield 2024 is the third consecutive time this exercise has grown into a combined and joint event, focused on commitment to partnership and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Several Marines and Sailors originally born and raised on the islands of Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands have returned to the Marianas and are an integral part of laying the foundation for Marine Corps Base Camp Blaz.