Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SURABAYA, Indonesia   –  

In display of an enduring partnership, the United States and the Indonesian National Armed Forces officially kicked off the 2024 Super Garuda Shield exercise on August 26, 2024 with an opening ceremony at Indonesian military base on Juanda Naval Air Base Surabaya.

Super Garuda Shield is the largest annual U.S.-Indonesia training exercise. It originated as an information and training exchange between the U.S. and Indonesia in 2006 under the name Garuda Shield. Since 2022, the exercise has expanded to include partner nations. This year, service members from the United States, Indonesia, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand are participating. Twelve additional nations are observing the exercise.

“Every aspect of this year’s iteration of Super Garuda Shield should challenge us to collectively work together and achieve our training objectives,” noted Chief of Staff and Commander of the Hawaii Air National Guard, Maj. Gen. Joseph R. Harris II during the opening ceremony. “I encourage all participants to take advantage of the excellent opportunities provided for professional and cultural exchanges… to use this opportunity to develop and grow relationships with your counterparts that will last a lifetime.”

Air Vice Marshal Widyargo Ikoputra, the Deputy Commander of Kodiklat, Tentara Nasional Indonesia said, “Super Garuda Shield in 2024 is a means to create and build mutual trust in the military sector, strengthen bilateral military-to-military relations, and multilateral relations. You may adapt, then learn and exchange the culture… so that it will give you tangible experience during your moments in [Indonesia].”

According to updated figures from the U.S. Embassy Jakarta Office of Defense Cooperation, Super Garuda Shield 2024 involves approximately 5,500 combined national forces, approximately 2,500 of which are U.S. service members. The joint military exercise serves to strengthen the U.S.-Indonesia defense partnership according to the Defense Cooperation Arrangement in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region, including by improving the ability of participating governments to securely and automatically exchange data regardless of geographical, political, or organizational boundaries. As Secretary Blinken has said, “The more that countries with complementary strengths and capacities can unite to achieve shared goals, the better.”

Service members from partnering nations will engage in various training opportunities, including airborne operations, amphibious operations, and operability information exchanges. The 2024 iteration will also include a Cyber Exercise to better prepare service members for cyber threats. The exercise begins with expert academic exchanges and professional development workshops, followed by a command-and-control exercise, a joint field training exercise and ending with a live fire event. Regular exercises and engagements with allies and partners are instrumental in cultivating civil-military cooperation, increasing emergency preparedness, and enhancing bilateral response capabilities.

​Since 2006, Indonesia has partnered with the Hawaii National Guard as part of the State Partnership Program, a U.S. led initiative that now includes 96 partnerships around the globe.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan  –  

A four-ship of F-15C Eagles departed Kadena Air Base as part of a large-scale divestment plan to modernize the base’s capabilities, Aug. 24, 2024.

The four-ship’s departure marks just one milestone on the road to replacing the F-15C Eagles and ushering in a new era of air superiority with the F-15EX Eagle IIs.

The four pilots were Maj. Celestino Aguon, 18th Wing chief of advanced programs; Maj. Alexander Frank, 18th Operations Group chief of fighter standards and evaluations; Maj. Robert Oehmke, 104th Operations Group chief of standards and evaluations; and 1st Lt. Claire Carey, 131st Fighter Squadron assistant chief of scheduling.

While the aircraft that departed are headed to either the “boneyard” or to be used at other Air Force units, their impact and legacy will continue to resonate. The F-15C Eagles have a long and storied heritage, both at Kadena Air Base and in the U.S. Air Force at large.

“It’s a legacy fourth generation fighter that’s at one of the most critical bases,” said Carey. “It’s an honor to serve at one of the most important bases in the Pacific, flying one of the most iconic aircraft in the Air Force.”

Combat capable since September of 1975, the “Eagles” have an impressive record of over 100 wins and zero losses in aerial combat.

While Kadena prepares for the incoming F-15EX Eagle IIs, the base is hosting multiple deployed fighter units that are helping bolster the keystone of the Pacific during this transition time.

“The deployed units here are very important,” said U.S. Air Force SSgt. Evan Schneider, dedicated F-15C crew chief. “These deployed units are filling the gaps [between the F-15C and F-15EX]. While we’re focusing on the divestment, the deployed units are maintaining security in the AOR.”

The final flight of the remaining F-15C Eagles out of Kadena is yet to be determined. Maj. Peter Gawor, director of operations, 67th Fighter Squadron, reflected on what the F-15EX will bring to the future fight, but also on the importance of the F-15C’s legacy.

​“The F-15EX will be a new platform with new capabilities. It will give us an incredible edge,” said Gawor. “But it will still maintain the F-15 heritage while simultaneously projecting air superiority in the Pacific region.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

POHANG, South Korea  –  

The Republic of Korea and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps will conduct Exercise Ssang Yong 24 from August 26 to September 7 along the east coast and around the Pohang area, to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance’s combat readiness and improve interoperability.

Since 2012, the ROK and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps have regularly conducted Ssang Yong to enhance defensive posture on the Korean Peninsula while improving naval and amphibious capabilities. This year’s exercise will involve division-level Marine Corps landing forces, the ROK Navy large transport ships Dokdo (LPH-6111) and Marado (LPH-6112), the U.S. amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 5), and more than 40 ships including the ROK landing ships Ilchulbong, Cheonjaebong, and Cheonwangbong (LST-II), frigates, and minehunters. Additionally participating in Ssang Yong 24 will be more than 40 ROK-U.S. aircraft including U.S. F-35B Lightning II fighter jets, ROK amphibious mobile helicopters (MUH-1), and Air Force C-130 transport aircraft, as well as over 40 Korean Amphibious Assault Vehicles.

Furthermore, the United Kingdom Commando Force will participate in Ssang Yong for the second consecutive year.

This year’s exercise will feature the prototype formation of a combined ROK-U.S. Marine Corps staff group afloat. The combined staff group will board the ROKS Marado to command amphibious operations and test the integration of command and control capabilities.

Ssang Yong 24 will proceed through a series of phases: pre-departure coordination, loading troops and equipment according to stages of landing operations, landing forces approaching the target area under escort operations, rehearsal, and decisive action including amphibious and air assaults to secure objectives for follow-on operations.

During the decisive action phase in early September, ROK-U.S. combined and joint forces will conduct large-scale maneuvers from sea and air to showcase the overwhelming power of the alliance and its capability to carry out combined amphibious operations.

​Official visual-imagery coverage including pictures, videos, and stories, will be published on the website page https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/ssangyong.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

ASAN, Guam  –  

Maritime forces from Royal Canadian Navy (RCN), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy and U.S. Navy are conducting cooperative maritime exercise Pacific Vanguard 2024 beginning on Aug. 24.

Pacific Vanguard is an opportunity for service members from four Indo-Pacific countries to strengthen their skills in maritime operations, anti-submarine warfare operations, air warfare operations and advanced maneuvering scenarios.

“We are completely confident that we can be more capable by improving our interoperability and tactical skills during this high level multi-domain exercise – Pacific Vanguard,” said Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota, commander of the JMSDF’s Escort Flotilla 3. “We work together, learn from each other’s professionalism, and grow together.”

Included in the forces taking part in this year’s exercise are Canada’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331); Japan’s Murasame-class destroyer JS Ariake (DD 109); Republic of Korea’s first-in-class destroyer ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH 975); and the U.S.’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), as well as aircraft from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 72 and Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 134.

“HMCS Vancouver is honored to once again be working alongside our allies and partners in the region,” said Cmdr. Tyson Bergmann, commanding officer of Vancouver. “Currently, HMCS Vancouver is on Operation Horizon, Canada’s forward-presence mission to promote peace and stability in support of the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region. Our participation in Exercise Pacific Vanguard is a part of that strategy and a way to show Canada’s commitment to increasing security-based engagements in the region to enhance peace, resiliency, and security.”

USS Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. DESRON 15 and VAQ 134 operate under Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70.

“Pacific Vanguard 2024 has gathered key players from the Indo-Pacific region and provided us an opportunity to train in a challenging dynamic environment,” said Capt. David Huljack, deputy commander of DESRON 15. “We look forward to engaging in high-end warfighting scenarios and advanced maneuvering scenarios at sea as a combined multinational force with an emphasis on interchangeability.”

Additionally, the exercise provides personnel from the four nations’ forces ashore opportunities to build shared multi-domain awareness and develop relationships that will help streamline combined operations in response to any crisis.

“Pacific Vanguard is another example of the continuous strengthening of personal and professional relationships with some of our closest allies,” said Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commander of Task Force 70. “The planning, refining and execution of tactics, techniques and procedures resident in our already interoperable, multinational force in all domains, prepare us for any future missions we might face together. Pacific Vanguard is but one of many similar exercises we are planning or executing every day in the Indo-Pacific.”

The U.S. military and its allies and partners routinely operate in designated land, air, and sea areas of the Mariana Islands to safely train service members in equipment use, tactics, joint operations, and humanitarian aid missions.

​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.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea  –  

The U.S. Air Force in conjunction with the Royal Australian Air Force French Air Force and the Papua New Guinea Defence Force kicked off Pacific Angel 24-1 at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, August 24, 2024.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command sponsors Pacific Angel to promote interoperability and demonstrate Department of Defense support capabilities for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HA/DR) events by conducting global medical outreach and enhancing regional partnerships. These operations include medical, dental, emergency response triage and care, casualty evacuation, infectious disease control, engineering programs, airfield operations and repairs and subject matter expert exchanges alongside host-nation service members and regional allies and partners.

“At its core, Pacific Angel is more than just a military exercise—it is a shared commitment to aiding those in need and enhancing our collective readiness to respond to crises,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Patrick Woodruff, Pacific Angel 24-1 mission commander. “Exercises like Pacific Angel are designed to posture U.S. Air Force Airmen and allied military and civilian personnel to work together to quickly and effectively respond to a wide range of possible humanitarian assistance and disaster relief scenarios. This mission reflects the values we all hold dear: service, cooperation, and a dedication to improving the lives of those in our partner nation communities.”

Pacific Angel 24-1 is a four-day search and rescue focused field training exercise and subject matter expert exchange. During the exercise, Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) personnel will receive training and exchange knowledge with U.S. Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and French Air Force subject matter experts on areas such as aircraft maintenance, adverse terrain survival and swift water personnel recovery.

This exercise marks the 21st iteration of Pacific Angel and the fourth time it’s been hosted in Papua New Guinea.

“We call the Indo-Pacific region home, so you are home,” said PNGDF Col. Bruno Malau, PNGDF chief of staff to deputy commander. “We are here to test, measure and exercise together our response to a humanitarian crisis so when there is a need, we can draw from these experiences and use the relationships that we have formed to assist a member of our combined family when they need assistance.”

The PNGDF is tasked with the defense of the country and its territories against external attack as well as internal security and socio-economic development duties. The United States and Australia provides formal assistance to Papua New Guinea to help expand and improve its defense capabilities.

“As we move forward, it is important to recognize that this exercise is not just about military readiness; it is about building partnerships that will last well beyond the end of this exercise,” said Woodruff. “The connections we make here today and in the coming days will serve as a foundation for future cooperation and mutual support.”

​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

SUWON AIR BASE, South Korea  –  

On Friday, July 12, as the sun slowly began to set and cast the sky in a hazy orange hue, four F/A-18 Hornet aircraft with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA(AW)) 224, Marine Aircraft Group 31 (MAG), 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) touched down at Suwon Air Base, South Korea.

The next morning, the remaining aircraft would also make their arrival to Suwon AB, followed by the remaining members of the squadron the next day. VMFA(AW)-224’s arrival marked the start of a momentous exercise at Suwon.

“VMFA(AW)-224 came to Suwon Air Base to conduct a detachment for training as part of our unit deployment program,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Zachary Mills, a pilot with VMFA(AW)-224.

Over the course of the next month, the Marine F/A-18 squadron trained with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) to improve both their aviation capabilities.

Known as the Fighting Bengals, VMFA(AW)-224 deployed from Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort, South Carolina, to MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, in March 2024 as part of the Marine Corps’ Unit Deployed Program (UDP). The UDP is designed provide continental United States-based units with overseas training and familiarity with foreign areas. VMFA(AW)-224 currently augments the F-35B Lightning II and KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft squadrons of MAG-12, 1st Marine Air Wing at MCAS Iwakuni with the unique capabilities of the F/A-18 Hornet.

“One of the most impressive things in this whole exercise is that we flew roughly 80 palettes of gear into Osan Air Base and, within eight hours, had all that cargo unloaded in Suwon Air Base via Korean tractor trailer support,” said Mills. “In a three-day period, we moved the entire squadron from Iwakuni, Japan, a Marine Corps Air Station, to Suwon Air Base, a Republic of Korea Air Base, for the first time ever, and it worked flawlessly.”

Earlier in their deployment, VMFA(AW)-224 operated out of Anderson Air Base, Guam, during Cope North 24 and now out of Suwon AB, which provided them a diverse set of experiences of operating in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Our squadron coming out here to Suwon is a historic exercise. There’s never been a Marine F/A-18 squadron to come out to this airfield,” said Mills. “One of the missions of VMFA(AW)-224 coming out here is to assess the feasibility for follow-on detachments to Suwon Air Base.”

Suwon AB has an abundant history, having been established during the Korean War and U.S. Forces have been present on the base for years, including different units from the U.S. Air Force both during and after the war. However, in recent years, the air base has not seen a U.S. detachment of this size.

“For historical context, Suwon has an extremely rich past, it’s been around for 70 years so, when you look back all the way, there’s obviously been a larger American presence here in the past, but we don’t have all that data,” explained U.S. Air Force Capt. Austin Stamper, 607th Materiel Maintenance, Squadron Detachment 2 Commander, and one of the lead coordinators for lining up the space, time, and equipment to allow the air base to have the capabilities to support the Marines and their training. “So as far, as exercises go and specifically exercises for the coalition and the alliance, this is the largest one we’ve had.”

Over the past year, Suwon AB personnel have been working to participate in more integrated exercises and host different branches for training opportunities. “We started back in the fall of last year. We had a combined flying training exercise which included 25 additional Air Force personnel,” said Stamper. “Next, we worked with the Marines and were able to get participation in the Korean Marine Exchange Program in the springtime, having about 88 personnel out here, we then stair-stepped up to what we are doing today with a squadron of around 260 personnel operating out here.”

In hosting the Fighting Bengals, the U.S. Air Force 607th MMS in Suwon aimed to prove integration capabilities with the ROKAF.

“The Marines being able to accomplish their goal and deploying the entire squadron here proves our ability to host large scale contingents of personnel here on Suwon and our capacity to support inbound forces that integrate closely with the Koreans,” said Stamper.

“Being able to work with the ROKAF was one of the primary missions of us coming out here,” said Mills. “Another one was to foster and generate relationships with the South Koreans while simultaneously conducting joint air operations.”

Service members with VMFA(AW)-224, 607th MMS, and the ROKAF 10th Fighter Wing worked together to plan flight operations, training together, and work autonomously in the same spaces together.

“It is historic that we have conducted mission planning and joint flight operations with them,” explained Mills. “I think that the opportunity to come here to Suwon has fostered a greater understanding of the tactics, techniques and procedures that the American forces have and that the Korean forces have, and more insight into some of our capabilities as well. There’s a lot we have in common.”

​“By executing the mission with U.S. F/A-18 pilots, we could advance to the next level of the ROK-U.S. Alliance’s operational capabilities,” said ROKAF Capt. Young Hyun Jo, a pilot with the 19 Fighter Wing 155 Squadron. “As a member of the storied ROK-US Alliance, we will continue to do our best to complete our mission with pride.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND, Australia  –  

10 U.S. Air Force Airmen assigned to the 728 Airlift Squadron and 313 Airlift Squadron supported U.S. Navy involvement in the Pacific Airshow Gold Coast and also participated in the show, in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, August 15-18 2024.

The mission to Surfer’s Paradise Beach began with transporting the U.S. Navy Parachute Team, also known as the “Leap Frogs,” the Navy’s premiere jumping team, over 8,500 miles, to their Australian airshow debut.

“Working with the 313 and 728 Airlift Squadron C-17 crew has been phenomenal.” said Lt. Nick Obletz, officer in charge of the Navy Parachute Team. “The professionalism of the crew is emblematic to the interoperability of the Navy and Air Force team.”

The 446th crews performed as the sole C-17 demonstration, showcasing the tactical prowess of the most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. This demonstration was performed for over 330,000 people in what is described by the Pacific Airshow organization as “a global spectacle-scale celebration of mateship, family, friends and awe-inspiring feats of aviation meshed with the enticing thrill of sports, entertainment, art and technology.”

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome everyone back to the Gold Coast for our second year,” said Kevin Elliott, Pacific Airshow Gold Coast Director. He assured fans that 2024 would be “even bigger and more exciting both in the air and on the ground in Surfers Paradise.”

According to Maj. Jake Novick, 728th Airlift Squadron pilot, participating in international airshows such as this are important because it gives the public a sense of air power and the expertise of the Air Force Reserves.

“Participating in airshows and events such as this provides a unique opportunity to showcase the expertise of our Reserve Airmen,” said Novick. “It also goes a long way toward building stronger relationships with our international partners”

​To learn more about the Pacific Airshow and it’s individual performers, visit pacificairshowaus.com.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska  –  

Red Flag-Alaska 24-3, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored exercise, began Aug. 15, with primary flight operations over the Joint Pacific-Alaska Range Complex and is scheduled to run through Aug. 30. Red Flag-Alaska is designed to provide realistic training in a simulated combat environment.

Approximately 1,800 service members are expected to fly, maintain and support more than 50 aircraft from 15 units during this iteration of the exercise. In addition to the U.S., service members from the Royal Australian Air Force are participating, enabling them to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability with fellow Airmen. Most aircraft will be based at, and fly from, Eielson Air Force Base and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.

“Red Flag is the result of the Vietnam era of fighting,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Richard Crumrine, an exchange officer and E-7A Wedgetail air battle manager assigned to 2 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force. “We noticed a lot of casualties were occurring, so Red Flag was originally spun up to allow fighter pilots to get their first glimpse of combat without going into combat. It has since evolved, providing the entire participating joint and coalition force their first 10 combat sorties.”

As Red Flag has evolved over the years since Vietnam, it not only provides fighter pilots their first 10 combat sorties, but also includes training for Airmen manning a variety of aircraft such as the KC-135 Stratotanker, KC-46 Pegasus, C-17 Globemasters, C-130 Hercules, and command and control platforms like the E-3 Sentry and E-7A Wedgetail.

“From the detachment’s perspective, Red Flag is important, in that it provides an unmatched swath of air space for participants to wargame and test their own units’ TTPs, and from those lessons learned develop new TTPs and take them back to their units,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Tyler Sellers, assistant director of operations assigned to the 354th Operations Group Detachment 1, JBER. “It’s also an opportunity for them to certify their combat readiness through a (Combat Certification 1) exercise, essentially using Red Flag as a validation measure for their readiness for combat scenarios.”

Red Flag-Alaska training spans from individual skills to complex, large-scale joint engagements. The exercises can be adapted to integrate various forces into a realistic threat environment using the more than 77,000 square miles of airspace in the Joint Pacific-Alaska Range Complex, which is the largest combat training range in the world.

“This (Red Flag) is called a STO (Special Technical Operations) Flag, it is an exercise held at the highest possible level of classification that we have, as the U.S. between our partner nations,” said Sellers. “We are bringing together the best of our inventories to integrate, operate, and test ourselves for strengths and weaknesses. So, the expectations are there to test our capabilities and weigh them against those of our adversaries.”

​As Red Flag continues over the next two weeks, the U.S. Air Force and RAAF will work side-by-side to solve complex scenarios learning from each other to provide combat ready forces for any potential future conflicts.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

QUANG NGAI, Vietnam  –  

The United States Armed Forces are working together conducting concurrent Engineering, Medical events and Subject Matter Expert Exchanges in Quang Ngai and Quang Nam provinces, Vietnam from Aug. 20 -31, 2024 as part of Pacific Angel 24-3.

The Pacific Air Forces led exercise began with a joint opening ceremony in conjunction with Pacific Partnership 24-2, a Pacific Fleet humanitarian exercise where members from each nation and branch came together to provide their remarks.

“During this year’s Pacific Partnership and Pacific Angel mission, we highlight the enduring friendship that drives the U.S.-Vietnam relationship forward in disaster response, medicine, and education.” Said U.S. Consul General Susan Burns. “This progress is even more meaningful when we consider how our two countries overcome our shared past to build a brighter future for the next generation.”

This iteration of Pacific Angel takes a big step forward as it’s the first combined mission with Pacific Partnership, the U.S. Navy’s largest annual maritime humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific.

Pacific Angel and Pacific Partnership mission teams will work alongside Allies and partners to strengthen relationships by promoting interoperability, bolstering host nation capacity to provide essential humanitarian services, and supporting efforts to prepare for, and respond to humanitarian disasters.

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

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

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

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh to the Pentagon today. The two officials discussed ongoing efforts to deepen the Major Defense Partnership between the United States and India in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

Secretary Austin and Minister Singh celebrated progress across several bilateral defense initiatives, including efforts to increase supply chain security, enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, and leverage a new agreement to strengthen operational coordination through Indian liaison officers at U.S. commands. They agreed to advance priority co-production projects, including jet engines, unmanned platforms, munitions, and ground mobility systems, under the U.S.-India Roadmap for Defense Industrial Cooperation. They further advanced discussions to expand cooperation in the undersea and space domains and welcomed ongoing implementation of the India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X), which will convene its third summit in Silicon Valley this September.

Secretary Austin and Minister Singh applauded the conclusion of a Security of Supply Arrangement, which will further integrate the defense industrial ecosystems of both countries while strengthening supply chain resilience.

Secretary Austin lauded the Indian Navy’s robust contributions to upholding freedom of navigation and regional security through its participation in the Combined Maritime Forces and welcomed India assuming a leadership role in Combined Task Force 150 in 2025.

Secretary Austin and Minister Singh reviewed mutual efforts through the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness Initiative to provide Indian Ocean Region partners with unclassified, commercial satellite data to enhance their maritime security and ability to detect illicit activity.

Both officials looked forward to the opportunity to meet again at the next 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.