Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

TAIWAN STRAIT  –  

The Arleigh-Burke guided missile class destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) conducted a routine south-to-north Taiwan Strait transit on March 5, 2024. U.S. ships transit between the South China Sea and the East China Sea via the Taiwan Strait and have done so for many years. The transit occurred through a corridor in the Taiwan Strait that is beyond any coastal state’s territorial seas. Within this corridor all nations enjoy high-seas freedoms of navigation, overflight, and other internationally lawful uses of the sea related to these freedoms.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

DHAKA, Bangladesh  –  

Nearly 80 U.S. Air Force service members and two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (EAS) integrated with Bangladesh for the bilateral tactical airlift exercise, Cope South 2024 (CS24) at Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Bangabandhu Cantonment, Dhaka and Operating Location-Alpha, Sylhet, Bangladesh, Feb. 19 to 28.

Airmen from Yokota Air Base and Kadena Air Base, Japan; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, came together to participate in subject-matter expert exchanges (SMEE) and six tactical airlift sorties alongside BAF, which involved 77 personnel jumps and five cargo bundle airdrops.

Cope South 2024 is a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise and provides an opportunity to strengthen the interoperability between U.S. and Bangladesh Air Forces, which directly impacts the ability to address shared security concerns.

“Cope South focuses on developing closer relationships with our BAF partners so we are better-equipped to operate together in the future,” said Capt. Jason Bentley, 36th EAS mission commander.

“We are building skills that assist in humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations (HADR), which encompass a wide-range of areas including crew resource management, aircraft formation, airdrop operations, aircraft maintenance and aeromedical evacuation,” he added.

Throughout the exercise, both U.S. and Bangladesh Air Force service members exchanged best practices-or SMEEs-in the operations, maintenance, medical and rigging career fields to strengthen relations and support the Bangladesh Armed Forces’ long-term modernization effort to maintain regional stability.

Relationships built with regional partners in the Indo-Pacific through exercises like CS24, civil-military operations and military exchanges are vital in HADR efforts and preserving stability in the region. CS24 has helped cultivate these common bonds, fostered goodwill and enhanced the mission readiness and interoperability between members of the Bangladesh and U.S. Air Forces.

“The BAF loadmasters were kind and made our interactions and SME exchanges feel like we’re simply talking to old friends and sharing lessons learned as aviators,” said Master Sgt. Tonisha Odom, 36th EAS senior enlisted leader. “In the short time we were there, we developed a warm relationship and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the BAF, knowing we share a common commitment to protecting the sovereignty of free nations.”

Through bilateral exercises like Cope South 2024, the U.S. Air Force and involved regional partners strengthen human relationships under the common goal of stabilizing the region and ultimately safeguarding the security of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“The Pacific Air Forces’ participation in Cope South 2024 has indeed reaffirmed the strong bond of frivolity, friendship and cooperation between our two air forces,” said BAF Air Vice Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, Air Headquarters assistant Chief of Air Staff operations during the closing ceremony.

“Exercise Cope South has not only been about military events and strategic exercise, but has embodied the spirit of partnership amongst missions,” he concluded. “This exercise has surely paved the way for newer optimism in forming our existing bond and commitment to uphold the calls of humanity.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

U.S. Marines from across III Marine Expeditionary Force, and Marines from 1st Marine Division, I MEF, deployed from Japan and the United States to join their ROK counterparts to exercise as the Combined Marine Component Command during Freedom Shield 24.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

American automakers and auto workers are the best in the world. The iconic Big Three and American auto workers are leading the world in quality and innovation. A dynamic auto industry is vital to the U.S. economy.

China is determined to dominate the future of the auto market, including by using unfair practices.  China’s policies could flood our market with its vehicles, posing risks to our national security. I’m not going to let that happen on my watch.

Most cars these days are “connected” – they are like smart phones on wheels. These cars are connected to our phones, to navigation systems, to critical infrastructure, and to the companies that made them. Connected vehicles from China could collect sensitive data about our citizens and our infrastructure and send this data back to the People’s Republic of China. These vehicles could be remotely accessed or disabled.

China imposes restrictions on American autos and other foreign autos operating in China. Why should connected vehicles from China be allowed to operate in our country without safeguards?

So today, I am announcing unprecedented actions to ensure that cars on U.S. roads from countries of concern like China do not undermine our national security. I have directed my Secretary of Commerce to conduct an investigation into connected vehicles with technology from countries of concern and to take action to respond to the risks. 

As President I vowed to do right by auto workers and middle-class families that depend on the auto industry for jobs. With this and other actions, we’re going to make sure the future of the auto industry will be made here in America with American workers.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SA KAEO PROVINCE, Thailand  –  

Hundreds of soldiers from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team “Lancer Brigade,” 7th Infantry Division, arrived in the Kingdom of Thailand to participate in the 43rd iteration of Exercise Cobra Gold 2024.

The annual Cobra Gold exercise, the largest joint exercise in mainland Asia, will be held from Feb. 27 to March 8, 2024. This year, 10 nations will fully participate in the training, including Thailand, the United States, Indonesia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia and the Republic of Korea, with approximately 20 additional nations serving as limited participants, planners and observers.

The multilateral exercise strengthens regional relationships and enhances interoperability among Allies and partners through shared experiences and rigorous training.

“We are deeply honored to participate in the 43rd iteration of Exercise Cobra Gold,” said Col. Andrew Gallo, commander of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division. “We look forward to enhancing our strong relationship with our Thai counterparts through rigorous field training and live-fire exercises.”

During the exercise, the Lancer Brigade will conduct small arms ranges, platoon situational training exercises (STX), squad and platoon-level live fire exercises (LFX), mortar training and evaluation program (MORTEP), field artillery firing tables, and conclude with a final exercise (FINEX).

2-2 SBCT is based out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington and supports various missions, exercises, and training throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

For this iteration, 2-2 SBCT subordinate units participating in the exercise are the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 17th Field Artillery Regiment, and elements from the 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion and the 2nd Brigade Support Battalion.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

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

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke today with Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of National Defense Shin Wonsik. The two leaders discussed shared defense and security priorities on the Korean Peninsula, underscoring the strength of the U.S.-ROK alliance and its critical role in the stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

The Secretary reaffirmed the ironclad U.S. extended deterrence commitment to the defense of the ROK. The two leaders agreed that they and their respective departments will continue to communicate frequently about key security issues. They also commended progress on U.S.-ROK-Japan trilateral security cooperation and emphasized the importance of expanding broader regional cooperation by the United States and the ROK with other partners.

The call between the two leaders comes as the United States and the ROK continue to deepen defense and security cooperation to advance a shared regional vision for peace, stability, and prosperity.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SEOUL, South Korea  –  

Representatives from the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Far East Fraud Resident Unit attended the 3rd Korea-U.S. Workshop on Antitrust Criminal Enforcement in Seoul, Republic of Korea, February 26, 2024.

This annual workshop was held so U.S. and Republic of Korea law enforcement and legal agencies could share cases of criminal and civil sanctions related to antitrust activities in both countries, and discuss emerging issues. The key speaker for the U.S. was Manish Kumar, the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division’s Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Enforcement.

Kumar was joined by the Antitrust Division’s San Francisco Section Chief Leslie Wulff, and Trial Attorney Sarah Bartels of the Washington D.C. office. Together they presented an overview on U.S. antitrust law, Department of Justice antitrust operations, and key case studies to their Republic of Korea counterparts from the Seoul Prosecutors’ Office, Ministry of Justice, and Korean Fair-Trade Commission.

Representing Army CID at the workshop were Supervisory Special Agent Simon Park, Special Agent Derrick Lee, and Special Agent Vince Makiling.

Republic of Korea, Shin Shin-yong, Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, said in his opening speech, “As the fair-trade field also needs to establish a close cooperation system and joint response to transnational crimes, I hope that this event will be a venue for valuable information exchange.”

Crime is not confined to the perimeters of Army installations or international borders and workshops like this strengthen national and international partnerships by sharing and discussing tactics and techniques, to help identify, disrupt, dissuade, and dismantle criminal activities.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam  –  

Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, completed Cope North 24, a three-week-long multinational aviation training exercise, alongside joint, partner, and allied forces in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands from Feb 2 to 23, 2024.

During the exercise, which involved forces from Australia, Japan, France, South Korea, and Canada, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 accumulated over 280 flight hours and 140 sorties across multiple islands in the Marianas. The unit also practiced the U.S. Air Forces’ Agile Combat Employment (ACE) concept as a coalition force as well as the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) unilaterally.

“There will always be challenges working with coalition militaries and different standard operating procedures that each military has. It’s an excellent opportunity for us to come out here, work together, exercise together, and draw from the differences and similarities to achieve our common goals,” said Flight Lieutenant Thomas Rogers, an officer with 383rd Contingency Response, Royal Australian Air Force.

The Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations (EABO) concept aims to perform aviation operations in austere environments through low signature generating methods. During the exercise, a KC-130J Super Hercules aircraft with Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152 transported a small package of Marines and refueling equipment from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Guam, located over 1,600 miles away, to provide immediate refueling capabilities to F/A-18 Hornet aircraft.

“The concept of EABO allows us to accomplish our mission in providing fueling support for any aircraft, in this iteration an F/A-18, in any location. So, wherever an aircraft can land and drop off our equipment and personnel, we can then set up and conduct refueling operations,” said 2nd Lt. William Peterson, a logistics officer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171.

Approximately 2400 service members and 85 aircraft participated in Cope North 24 and expended over 30,000 pounds of ordnance. Initially established in 1978 as a bilateral exercise based out of Misawa Air Base, Japan, Cope North moved to Andersen Air Force Base in 1999. In 2012, it became a trilateral exercise with the addition of the Royal Australian Air Force and is currently U.S. Pacific Air Forces’ largest multilateral exercise series.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PACIFIC OCEAN  –  

NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Landing and Recovery team and the Department of Defense successfully completed the second recovery test for the crewed Artemis II mission aboard the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22) off the coast of San Diego, Feb. 28.

Underway Recovery Test 11 was the eleventh in a series of tests and the first time the Department of Defense and NASA completed a full recovery simulation with the Artemis II Flight Crew.

“The U.S. Navy has many unique capabilities that make it an ideal partner to support NASA. Amphibious transport dock ships, such as ours, give NASA the ability to recover the capsule and collect critical data to help make sure everything is ready to recover the astronauts and capsule during future Artemis missions,” said Capt. David Walton, commanding officer of USS San Diego. “Our combined NASA and Department of Defense team has gone through extensive training to make sure we recover our astronauts and Orion safely.”

Underway Recovery Test 11 allowed NASA and the Department of Defense to practice operational procedures for Artemis II, including timing of crew extraction from the capsule to the ship’s medical bay and day-and-night recovery procedures to support certification of personnel and processes for Artemis II mission.

Artemis II astronauts U.S. Navy Capt. Reid Wiseman, U.S. Navy Capt. Victor Glover, Christina Hammock Koch, and Jeremy Hansen embarked the ship for Underway Recovery Test 11.

“This crew is really setting the foundation for the whole operation — all other forces are welcomed onboard and we operate as a team, but it’s really the culture of the ship that leads to the success of this mission,” said Wiseman. “Being back on a Navy ship, being at sea, seeing everyone smiling, it has been a real highlight for me.”

Working in support of U.S. Space Command, additional U.S. Navy units included Expeditionary Strike Group 3, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Expeditionary Mobile Unit 1, and Amphibious Construction Battalion 1, with support from U.S. Air Force’s First Air Force, Detachment 3, and U.S. Space Force’s 45th Space Launch Delta Weather Squadron.

After the 2022 successful recovery of the Orion spacecraft from the Artemis I mission using the amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD 27), and with the addition of crew for the Artemis II mission, the recovery teams modified their timelines and procedures to ensure the astronauts will be safely on the recovery ship within two hours after splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.

Once the crew splashes down, a group of Navy divers will approach Orion and ensure it is safe for the astronauts to exit the spacecraft. The divers will then open the spacecraft hatch and help the astronauts exit one by one onto an inflatable “front porch.” This raft wraps around the capsule and allows for the crew to be picked up via helicopter and flown back to the recovery ship. Once the astronauts are on board the recovery ship, teams will secure Orion with a series of lines and slowly tow it back inside the ship, just as they did during the Artemis I mission.

During the test, the team practiced the Artemis II recovery procedures, releasing and recovering the crew module test article, a full-scale mock-up of Orion.

Prior to Underway Recovery Test 11, Navy dive teams were trained at NASA Johnson Space Center’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory, a large pool where astronauts train for spacewalks and engineers refine procedures.

“Each time we train for this underway recovery we learn something new,” said Senior Chief Navy Diver Ryan Crider, who leads the team of divers assigned to Underway Recovery Test 11. “For my team, practicing our procedures in different conditions and environments helps to build our confidence and proficiency and prepares us to be successful when it matters most.”

The recovery team will capture lessons learned and apply them to future underway tests to make sure they are ready to recover the Artemis II crew and bring them home safely.

“Previous Underway Recovery Tests have perfected the procedures and techniques used by NASA and the DoD to recover the Orion crew module from the water,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Pieper, First Air Force, Detachment 3 Artemis Program director. “Underway Recovery Test 11 made the next key step by incorporating the Artemis II crew into the operation to finalize the methods that will safely recover the astronauts following their mission to the moon.”

As the Department of Defense’s Human Space Flight Support manager, U.S. Space Command is responsible for the terrestrial rescue and recovery of NASA-sponsored astronauts and spacecraft for the Artemis program.

“The DoD has been conducting human space flight support operations for over six decades with each new mission presenting new challenges to overcome,” said Pieper. “This underway recovery test emphasizes the vital relationships between NASA, U.S. Space Command, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Navy, and Air Forces Space, all of whom play an important role in advancing spaceflight in the 21st Century and laying the foundation for future human exploration of the moon, Mars, and beyond.”

Expeditionary Strike Group 3 comprises three amphibious squadrons, 16 amphibious warships, and eight naval support elements including approximately 18,000 active-duty and reserve Sailors and Marines. As the deputy commander for amphibious and littoral warfare, U.S. 3rd Fleet, the Expeditionary Strike Group 3 commander also oversees Mine Countermeasures Group 3 and the 16 littoral combat ships under Littoral Combat Ship Squadrons 1 and 3.

Expeditionary Strike Group 3 is postured in support of U.S. 3rd Fleet as a globally responsive and scalable naval command element, capable of generating, deploying, and employing naval forces and formations for crisis and contingency response, forward presence, and major combat operations focusing on amphibious operations, humanitarian and disaster relief and support to defense civil authorities, and expeditionary logistics.

For more information on Underway Recovery Test 11, please visit:

https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/URT11

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

OKINAWA, Japan  –  

A West Coast-based U.S. Naval Special Warfare unit integrated with a Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Special Boat Unit (SBU) to conduct joint training on navigation, communications, radar, and more from Feb. 15-17, 2024 at Naval Base White Beach in Okinawa, Japan.

The joint training was designed to further modernize the partnership between U.S. forces and Japan, as well as strengthen joint capabilities and security strategies in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Working hand-in-hand with our partners in the JMSDF SBU offers us the opportunity to learn together and grow both as separate units, and as allied partners,” said a West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare operator who participated in the exercise. “Building on our existing relationship offers us all the opportunity to continue to expand our joint knowledge.”

The training, which included classroom instruction and practical application, focused heavily on small-unit skills such as mission planning, navigation and communications. The event culminated with an on-the-water exchange of tactics among the partner forces.

For more than six decades, the U.S.-Japan alliance has served as a cornerstone for peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. High quality, realistic training exchanges such as this help to further synchronize special operations capabilities among partners and allies.

Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict.