Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan – The U.S. military and the Japan Self Defense Forces began conducting a bilateral command post exercise Keen Edge 24, with the participation of Australian Defence Force beginning Feb. 1, 2024.

The exercise, which will run until Feb. 8, is the latest in a series of joint/multilateral command post exercises designed to increase our integrated joint operational capability, refine command and control procedures, and enhance interoperability of all participants.

This year’s iteration of Keen Edge will also include greater synchronization with the U.S. Space Command and U.S. Cyber Command, expanding the multi-domain collaboration that is incumbent on any large-scale exercise or operation.

Keen Edge is part of the annual U.S.-Japan exercise series that alternates between field training exercises (Keen Sword) and command post exercises. During Keen Edge 24, Japanese, U.S. and Australian headquarters staffs will employ computer simulations to practice responses in the event of a crisis or contingency.

For more information, contact the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Public Affairs Office at pacom.pao.duty@navy.mil, (808) 477-1341.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PAYA LEBAR AIR BASE, Singapore  –  

Two B-1B Lancers assigned to the 345th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, arrived at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Jan. 18-24, as part of the United States Air Force’s regular training and engagements with key partners in the region.

“Events like these are really important for us to get out and interact with different countries, see how they operate and ensure that we’re working under the standard operating procedures,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Matthew Barnard, 345th EBS director of operations.

Aircrews focused on three separate missions: the Republic of Singapore Air Force A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport conducting air-to-air refueling, Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F-15J during bilateral training and joint U.S. Operations.

Barnard described how flying over 24 hours across the Pacific Ocean inside the B-1B is difficult, emphasizing the physical demands on the aircrew with multiple integrations and air refuelings to execute on such a high level over such a prolonged duration.

“One of the risks we took during the sortie was linking with so many different players and organizing multiple tankers in the right space at the right time,” said Barnard. “If any of those pieces fell out, we’d have had to divert aircraft to different locations.”

The 345th EBS successfully completed three missions through proper planning while building bridges with key partners and providing valuable professional exchanges and training opportunities with different aircraft and aircrews.

“During our trip, we bridged gaps with our key partners, allowing both of us to gain new valuable experiences,” said Barnard. “I’m proud of what we did; we accomplished a lot in a very short period.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Today, the Department of Defense released an update to the names of “Chinese military companies” operating directly or indirectly in the United States in accordance with the statutory requirement of Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.

Updating the Section 1260H list of “Chinese military companies” is an important continuing effort in highlighting and countering the PRC’s Military-Civil Fusion strategy. The PRC’s Military-Civil Fusion strategy supports the modernization goals of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) by ensuring it can acquire advanced technologies and expertise developed by PRC companies, universities, and research programs that appear to be civilian entities. Section 1260H directs the Department to begin identifying, among other things, Military-Civil Fusion contributors operating directly or indirectly in the United States.

The Department will continue to update the list with additional entities as appropriate. The United States Government reserves the right to take additional actions on these entities under authorities other than section 1260H. The list is available here.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  –  

The 2nd Infantry Division / ROK-US Combined Division held a ‘Combined Training Conference’ to discuss over 130 combined trainings scheduled for this year. The conference took place at the War Room of Freeman Hall at Camp Humphreys on the 30th.

The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate the combined training schedule and detailed plans for the year and to establish a cooperation system through systematic discussions from the planning stage. By doing so, the aim was to minimize friction that may occur during training and to maximize training results by implementing, coordinating, and controlling combined training.

Hosted by the 2ID/RUCD, the conference included representatives from the 2nd Brigade 4th Infantry Division (Rotational Stryker Brigade Combat Team), 210th Fire Artillery Brigade, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, ROK Army Headquarters, Combined Forces Command, and 2nd Fleet Command. Approximately 80 education and training officials from the ROK and the U.S. attended.

They discussed major combined training for the second quarter, such as E3B qualification assessment, KCTC, NTC training, and joint tank/striker movement exercise. Over 130 events were discussed.

The 2ID/RUCD has regularly held combined training conferences every quarter since 2019, to increase improve interoperability and improve wartime operational capabilities. This enabled a mutual understanding of tactics, equipment, organization, and force operation.

Brigadier General Kim Jeong-hyuk, Deputy Commander General – ROK of the 2ID/RUCD, said, “The division is playing a pivotal role in ROK-U.S. combined training and making every effort to improve combined combat readiness and cultivate combined operational capabilities.”

Lt. Col. Brennan Speaks, the operational staff in charge of U.S. military operations, emphasized, “The strength of the 2ID/RUCD is our combined nature and it is inherent in our daily operations. We conduct practical combined training to better understand each other’s operations process and verify our mission set. Our constant collaboration ensures readiness, interoperability and mutual trust.”

With the 2ID/RUCD based on the 2nd Infantry Division and integrating ROK Army staff, the division is focused on operational planning, doctrine development, combined exercises, and training to strengthen combined operational capabilities. It was first activated in 2015, and this year marks its 9th anniversary.

Looking ahead, the 2ID/RUCD is committed to continuing its efforts to maintain a strong ROK-U.S. defense posture and further develop the ROK-U.S. alliance.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan   –  

From February 1 to 8, 2024, Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces and U.S. Marines and Sailors from III Marine Expeditionary Force will simulate a large-scale theater-level command post exercise, Keen Edge 24, across the southwest islands.

Approximately 1,350 Marines, Sailors, and Self-Defense Forces from III MEF and Western Army, JGSDF, will rehearse distributed combined joint command and control of maritime terrain in the first island chain. The purpose of the training is to increase bilateral coordination and rehearse stand-in-force concepts for territorial defense.

The Western Army and III MEF will employ bilateral coordination nodes in the prefecture of Okinawa and mainland Japan to synchronize logistics, fires, and maneuver as part of a stand-in-force.

“The Western Army and III MEF’s bilateral relationship sets the benchmark for mutual defense,” said Lt. Gen. Roger B. Turner, the commanding general of III MEF. “This exercise will enhance our joint coordination for complex multi-domain operations as part of the stand-in-force.”

Keen Edge 24 is Lt. Gen. Turner’s first bilateral exercise working alongside Lt. Gen. Toshikazu Yamane, commanding general of Western Army, JGSDF, since his assumption of command in January 2024. The exercise will provide both generals the opportunity to enhance bilateral relationships.

Exercise Keen Edge 24 is a biannual, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff-directed, and Indo-Pacific Command and Japan Joint Staff-led exercise designed to increase combat readiness and interoperability of the JSDF and U.S. forces.

For more information regarding exercise Keen Edge, contact the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command public affairs office at pacom.pao.duty@navy.mil.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Department of Defense Spokesman Lt. Col. Martin Meiners provided the following readout:

Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner met with Australia’s First Assistant Secretary Bernard Philip at the Pentagon today to discuss growing defense and security cooperation between the United States and Australia.

The two officials emphasized their commitment to further deepen defense cooperation across several key priority areas for the U.S.-Australia alliance, including defense industrial base collaboration through Australia’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise, and bilateral force posture initiatives that focus on implementing last year’s announcements of priority locations for build-out in Australia. They also discussed a range of regional security issues, including the importance of operational safety in the East and South China Seas, and they reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and across the Indo-Pacific region.

Both officials affirmed their countries’ commitment to advancing a shared regional vision for peace and security in a free and open Indo-Pacific, including through enhanced cooperation with regional allies and partners like Japan, as the “Unbreakable Alliance” between the United States and Australia continues to strengthen.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  –  

The 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division announces the arrival of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment to the Republic of Korea as the next Korea Rotational Force, continuing the longstanding commitment to regional security and stability.

Transitioning from the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 4th Infantry Division, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment assumes its role as the newest rotational force in Korea, enhancing readiness and interoperability with allies and partners in the region. This is the first time 3CR has been deployed to Korea.

The Commanding General of 2ID/RUCD, Maj. Gen. Willian “Hank” Taylor expressed his confidence in the regiment’s ability to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and readiness while serving as the Korea Rotational Force.

“The 3rd Cavalry Regiment is a historically battle-hardened organization and I look forward to seeing them train alongside our 2ID/RUCD Soldiers and ROK allies,” said Taylor. “I am excited to welcome 3CR in their very first deployment to Korea as they replace 2/4 Styker Brigade.”

“Stryker brigade combat teams provide the mobility and flexibility needed to meet a range of contingency requirements. 2/4 Stryker Brigade elevated the combined arms readiness of our division and ROK partners,” Taylor explained. “We are better because of their professionalism and dedication during the nine-month rotation.”

An official Transfer of Authority ceremony between 2/4 Stryker Brigade and 3CR will be held at the end of February.

For more information about the 2nd Infantry- ROK/U.S. Combined Division, visit: https://www.2id.korea.army.mil

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo hosted the Ninth Multilateral Maritime Virtual Key Leadership Engagement from Washington, D.C., on Jan. 24, 2024.

Representatives from 16 nations participated in the engagement, including 10 heads of navies within Oceania, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South America and the Indian Ocean regions.

The leaders engaged in a comprehensive discussion, focusing on the challenges and opportunities of delivering humanitarian aid and disaster relief (HA/DR) to affected nations in the Indo-Pacific and how we can strengthen our response together.

They discussed prospective opportunities to develop an effective and practical disaster response system within a law and rules-based international order. They acknowledged the delivery of HA/DR by military forces has become standard practice and one of many expanding areas of military cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

The leaders agreed the demand for HA/DR is highest in the Indo-Pacific, and the common challenges incentivize strong, inter-regional partnerships for HA/DR operations. They emphasized the successful disaster relief involves the sharing of resources and interoperability.

They discussed the significance of training for disaster missions, stressing the value of integrating efforts to enable operations, and building trust among collaborators.

The leaders extended condolence to the people of Japan for the loss of lives from the recent earthquake.

The multinational maritime engagement program underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Jen Daskal will lead an interagency U.S. delegation to Beijing, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) on January 30-31, to launch the U.S.-PRC Counternarcotics Working Group.  The Counternarcotics Working Group is part of ongoing efforts to resume bilateral cooperation to combat global illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking, including of synthetic drugs like fentanyl, at the direction of President Biden and President Xi Jinping. 

The U.S.-PRC Counternarcotics Working Group will provide a platform to facilitate ongoing coordination designed to tackle the illicit production, financing, and distribution of illicit drugs, and to support bilateral enforcement actions.

The delegation includes high-level officials from the Department of Homeland Security,  Department of Justice, Department of State and the Department of the Treasury.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan  –  

The HH-60W Jolly Green IIs from the 55th Rescue Generation Squadron, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, arrived at their new duty station, Kadena Air Base, Japan, January 26, 2024.

The HH-60W is the successor to the HH-60G “Pave Hawk” and built on the established framework of the UH-60M “Black Hawk” production model.

Alternatively known as the “Whiskey” model, the HH-60W is designed from the ground up with integrated mission systems that improve situational awareness for aircrews conducting the combat search and rescue missions in contested environments.

“The new avionics systems and multifunctional displays provide the pilots with critical flight data,” said U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Anthony Canlas, 718th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron HH-60 dedicated crew chief. “These new models will improve our continued search and rescue missions throughout the Pacific.”

The HH-60W is intended for a variety of mission critical operations to include recovering isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory, day or night, in adverse weather, and in a variety of threat environments from terrorist to chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.

Its capabilities also include humanitarian missions, civil search and rescue, disaster relief, medical evacuation, and non-combatant evacuations.

With water rescues being an ever-present reality for Okinawa, these new aircraft will allow Kadena Airmen to be better equipped to save not just American lives, but also Okinawan lives.

“These models are the new standard for combat search and rescue operations for PACAF and nationwide,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Bryan Donnelly, 718th AMXS, 33rd Helicopter Maintenance Unit production superintendent. “All HH-60G models will be replaced on Kadena.”

The name “Jolly Green II” designated to the HH-60W was coined in a ceremony in February of 2020. It honors Jolly Green crews of previous generations who set the precedent for the AF combat rescue crews who operate today.