Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii  –  

Navy Reservists from Military Sealift Command (MSC) are on station in Hawaii, providing support to the Navy’s biennial, multinational maritime exercise, Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) 2024. A Cargo Afloat Rig Team (CART) is onboard MSC’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197) in the waters around Hawaii, and ashore, members of the Military Sealift Command Pacific Headquarters Unit are at the Pacific Warfighting Center on Ford Island, providing maritime logistic support.

At sea, an MSC CART made up of Reserve Sailors from CARTS Detachments around the country, are at the center of at-sea logistics operations. These Sailors are in supporting the exercise and augmenting the Pecos crew. Thirteen members are currently working on the decks of Pecos and will swap out with eleven new members for the last two weeks of the exercise. While onboard, the CART works and trains together with the civil service mariner crews in order to meet the huge underway replenishment (UNREP) demands, keeping the 40 ships of the 29 participating nations supplied and moving. The team members provide additional support for the shipboard crew to send and receive underway replenishment equipment for transfer of fuel or cargo at sea by working in positions such as Rig Captain, riggers, signalmen, line handlers and safety observers throughout the UNREP evolutions.

Working on the deck of a ship underway is always a challenging environment. For the CART members at RIMPAC 2024, there is an added challenge of working together for the first time. Of the 13 personnel on the first leg of the exercise, 10 are from different states, geographically dispersed and assigned to different units. For this reason, all CART members receive extensive training, before deploying on an MSC ship.

“Every CART Sailor is required to attend The MSC UNREP Training Center prior to getting underway on an MSC vessel,” explained Quarter Master Chief Petty Officer David Farley, CART officer-in-charge. “We have the training required to build skills while aboard conducting UNREP evolutions. We held virtual refresher training prior to arriving to RIMPAC and continue to hold training on different systems while aboard.”

While structured training like that received in a classroom provides the basics, it cannot replace real-world operations. On Pecos, the CART members working with the CIVMAR crew are getting invaluable training from the professionals.

“There are multiple benefits to working with CIVMAR crew members,” said Farley. “The main benefit being our ability to learn from their experiences and technical knowledge from doing this day in and day out. The Cargo Mate, Cargo Bos’n and Ship’s Bos’n haven’t missed an opportunity to train CART Sailors ensuring we leave here with a new understanding of the ship and Underway Replenishment evolutions. A few of the Sailors have enjoyed their time enough to consider joining the MSC Team in their civilian careers!”

As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships, and this is front and center for the CART.

“RIMPAC 2024 gives us the ability to get our Sailors together to train together doing the job that we are meant to do. RIMPAC provides a lot of opportunity for more evolutions in a short timeframe as well as experience seeing foreign ships involved with the exercise. The more we operate together, the better we become as a CART,” said Farley.

In addition to the CART, five members of Military Sealift Command Pacific’s (MSCPAC) Headquarters Reserve Unit are serving as watch standers, providing maritime logistics support to Commander, Task Group 173, at the Pacific Warfighting Center on Ford Island. These reservists, alongside their international teammates are providing comprehensive planning and coordination for each replenishment-at-sea conducted during the exercise, including arranging and coordinating rendezvous locations and times for all the logistics ships and two MSC chartered tankers. In addition, the Reservists are coordinating towing operations with the MSC rescue and salvage ship USNS Grasp (T-ARS 51).

​Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PACIFIC OCEAN  –  

The Arleigh-Burke class guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) participated in a multinational visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) drill while underway July 15 during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), a large-scale international maritime exercise.

VBSS training is conducted as part of continued efforts by the U.S. military to protect international waters from global issues such as piracy, human trafficking and drug trafficking.

The evolution was a combined effort involving three international ships from partner nations: the Mexican Reformador-class frigate ARM Belito Juárez (POLA-101), the Singaporean Formidable-class stealth frigate RSS Stalwart (72) and the Republic of Korea ship ROKS Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin (DDH-975).

Conducting this type of VBSS evolution was the first time for two out of the four U.S. Navy Sailors involved. For U.S. Navy Quartermaster 1st Class Alexis Wighaman, the VBSS team leader onboard Gridley, this marked her sixth time.

“I have participated in multiple international boarding exercises prior to RIMPAC 2024, however, this was the first exercise I participated in which included more than one partner nation,” said Wighaman. “Lessons learned and training exchanged between us and our partners greatly enhanced Gridley’s boarding team, as well as our coordination with our partnered allies.”

The participants initiated the drill, which included VBSS techniques, basic shipboard tactical movement and self-defense in an effort to further enhance readiness regarding maritime safety and security. The participants are trained in the use of small arms, proper space entry procedures, team communication skills, ship familiarization, tactical team movements and boarding reporting procedures.

U.S. Navy Chief Fire Controlman James Collins, the VBSS security team leader onboard Gridley, expressed his experience working with partner nations during the evolution.

“As this was my second international boarding exercise, this one a bit different for me,” said Collins. “This drill was my first drill that included multiple partner nations, but overall successful. This boarding provided us with the opportunity to show that multiple nations can integrate and execute the mission at-hand, resulting in the increased ability to be prepared for any future conflict.”

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Thomas Brewer, commanding officer of USS Gridley, believes that these types of experiences are vital to help strengthen partnerships and integration amongst our partner nations.

“These multi-national training evolutions are an amazing opportunity to share tactics and techniques between partners, improving our interoperability and increasing readiness,” said Brewer.

USS Gridley is a part of the U.S. 3rd Fleet, which leads naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy. U.S. 3rd Fleet works in close coordination with other numbered fleets to provide commanders with capable, ready forces to deploy forward and win in day-to-day competition, crisis and conflict.

​Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea  –  

U.S. service members and Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldiers marched across Murray Barracks Parade Field signifying the start of exercise Tamiok Strike 2024 at Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, July 15, 2024.

Tamiok Strike is a bilateral exercise sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific and hosted by the PNGDF with a focus on tactical interoperability.

Opening remarks were given by Papua New Guinea Defence Forces Col. Kingsley Wawada, the PNGDF support services commander, and U.S. Army Lt. Gen. James Jarrard, the deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific.

“On the occasion of this morning, the launching of this exercise Tamiok Strike 2024, I acknowledge your presence and welcome everybody on the parade field, including our guests,” said Wawada.

This is the fourth iteration of Tamiok Strike. The two-week long exercise will take place at Murray Barracks, Port Moresby and Ingam Barracks, Lae.

“Our commitment here is to work together, improve and learn,” said Jarrard. “Increase our interoperability to show all adversaries throughout this region, and in the world, that we are joined together, because we share the same values. Freedom, prosperity, and that we will work together to maintain those values.”

The exercise involves approximately 100 service members from both the U.S. and PNGDF, and aims to enhance combined interoperability through training and cultural exchanges.

At Murray Barracks, U.S. and PNGDF Soldiers will participate in a staff exercise to improve operational planning, and share logistics, medical and military police best practices through a series of subject matter expert exchanges to enhance soldier proficiency.

In Lae, a combined team of engineers are improving the area footprint to enable more bilateral training opportunities for future exercises.

​Tamiok Strike 24 is a bilateral training exercise designed to improve the interoperability and readiness of the Papua New Guinea Defence Forces, and U.S. Forces, and to enhance partner capacity to respond to conventional and potential natural disasters throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MOUNT BUNDEY TRAINING AREA, NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia  –  

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force arrived at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia on July 15, 2024, to commence Exercise Predator’s Run 24.

Exercise Predator’s Run 24 is a littoral-focused, multilateral training exercise led by the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade. The exercise involves U.S. Allies and partners from the Australian Defence Force, the United Kingdom Commando Force, the Republic of the Philippines Army, the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy. The exercise will take place across multiple locations in the Northern Territory and Melville Island from July 15 to August 8, 2024.

MRF-D 24.3’s participation includes units from 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment (Reinforced), Combat Logistics Battalion 5 (Reinforced), and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 268 (Reinforced). The MRF-D 24.3 is also reinforced by 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California.

“Exercise Predator’s Run 24 is an opportunity for us to enhance our interoperability with key Allies and partners,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian T. Mulvihill, the commanding officer of the MRF-D 24.3 MAGTF. “Our combined efforts will significantly improve our collective littoral combat capabilities to respond to crises or contingencies, contributing to increased security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

During the exercise, MRF-D 24.3 will integrate into the ADF’s Combat Training Centre 1st Division as a supporting effort to the Australian Army 1st Brigade’s order of battle, conducting warfighting and live-fire field evolutions. These operations aim to enhance the MRF-D 24.3 Ground Combat Element’s, 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.), interoperability and sustain mission-essential task list training readiness.

“This training is essential to test and refine our ability to execute and integrate battle drills at each echelon, focusing on offense, defense, and counterattack,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Clinton K. Hall, the commanding officer of 2nd Bn., 5th Marines (Rein.). “By applying simplicity to complex operations and focusing on combined arms in support of maneuver, we strengthen our mutual capabilities with our allies.”

The exercise will employ as much of the MAGTF as possible, showcasing expeditionary capabilities and innovative tactics. MRF-D 24.3’s Aviation Combat Element, VMM-268 (Rein.), will provide direct support as the primary air assault platform for the GCE conducting Expeditionary Advanced Base Operations. VMM-268 (Rein.) MV-22B Ospreys will involve both day and night flight operations and incorporate digital interoperability assets to enhance coalition situational awareness and long-range communication capabilities.

“This exercise will test our flexibility and adaptability in a complex but controlled environment to execute the core mission of a VMM squadron in a medium threat environment while based out of an expeditionary site,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Brandon S. Pope, the commanding officer of VMM-268 (Rein.). “Our ability to provide assault support to the MAGTF and the joint force relies on our capacity to integrate in all phases of an operation.”

MRF-D 24.3’s Logistics Combat Element, CLB-5 (Rein.), will provide comprehensive combat service support, logistics support, and enhanced health service support in a disaggregated environment.

“Our logistics capabilities are a critical component of this exercise, ensuring that all units can sustain the tempo of operations and persist and win in a contested environment,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Rebecca Bolz, the commanding officer of CLB-5 (Rein.). “The integration of logistics support is crucial for sustaining the MRF-D MAGTF’s combat power, increasing the operational reach of units, and furthering interoperability with our allies.”

From July 27 to August 8, MRF-D 24.3, 1st Brigade, and the United Kingdom Littoral Response Group (South) elements will transition to a combined arms live-fire exercise, involving rapid planning, rehearsals, and execution of a scheme of maneuver with coordinated indirect and air fires to seize objectives, establish defenses, and prepare for counterattacks, culminating in an air assault to trap the enemy’s withdrawal.

Exercise Predator’s Run 24 provides MRF-D 24.3 the opportunity to conduct training missions as a MAGTF, while integrating command and control, aviation, logistics, ground, off-continent, and allied capabilities, increasing our warfighting readiness and better preparing the MAGTF to respond to crises or contingencies, contributing to security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

​For questions regarding this release, please contact the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin media team at MRFDMedia@usmc.mil.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

CAM RANH INTERNATIONAL PORT, Vietnam  –  

Sailors assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet and Coast Guardsmen assigned to the Legend-class cutter USCGC Waesche (WMSL 751) took part in a Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE) with members of the Vietnamese Armed Forces in Cam Ranh, Vietnam, July 9-11.

The exchanges centered around reinforcing the long-standing friendship between both nations and increasing strength of the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral relationship.

Service members from both nations discussed search and rescue (SAR) operations, illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUUF), code for unplanned encounters at sea, explosive ordnance disposal, and Women, Peace, Security (WPS). The exchanges were held to improve future operations, interactions, and coordination between partner navies.

The exchange opened on SAR operations headed by U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) representatives, discussing how the USCG conducts searches both around the U.S. and around the world.

The training topics centered around tactics, best practices, and ways to improve rescue efforts.

“Sharing best practices and operational capabilities between the USCG and Vietnam maritime authorities can improve search and rescue coordination and capacity with our INDOPACOM partners, especially Vietnam,” said Douglas Samp, USCG Pacific Area SAR Program Manager.

The event offered relevant ideas and thoughtful processes, while service members from both countries exchanged theoretical and practical knowledge within their respective SAR functions.

The second day of the SMEE exchanges focused on IUUF, how it is one of the challenges to ocean health and a significant cause of overfishing. Vietnamese Coast Guardsmen shared their challenges and how IUUF contributes to a collapse or decline in fisheries that are critical to the economic growth, food systems, and ecosystems within their exclusive economic zone.

During the IUUF SMEE, Maritime Enforcement Specialist 1st Class Arik Pulsifer, assigned to Waesche, shared his experiences, challenges, and successes while serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, as well as how beneficial the engagements were.

“Growing up in an ocean community, I take marine conservation very seriously, so this topic was of direct interest to me. The exchanges went well. It was good to see how seriously they also take the issue of IUUF and how determined they seem to remedy it,” said Pulsifer. “The discussions were very beneficial because we got to elaborate on our processes from boarding to case package and lay out a basic framework for how they can best conduct enforcement and follow up in court. It was awesome to take part in something that strengthens the bond between two nations and give direct, experience-based input on enforcement of domestic and foreign fishing fleets.”

The last event, the WPS in the Maritime Defense SMEE, highlighted shared perspectives and expanding the meaningful participation of women within the armed forces. Individual participants conversed in topics such as gender perspectives as well as cultural differences between countries and what current challenges exist.

Rear Adm. Amy Bauernschmidt, deputy commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, participated in the WPS exchange and expressed the importance of engaging in open dialogue.

“On the heels of your newly passed National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, it is exciting to incorporate the topic into our port visit activities during our time in Cam Ranh,” said Bauernschmidt. “The first step to moving the plan forward are critical conversations centering on concrete actions to achieve the objectives you have outlined, and that’s what we did this week. Thank you to our Vietnamese counterparts who joined us to move forward on this important topic that affects all of us.”

Concluding all SMEE’s, service members from both countries expressed open dialogue on continuing to share ideas, information, and knowledge, expressing interest in future exchanges.

The exchanges were one of many events between the U.S. 7th Fleet, USS Blue Ridge and Vietnamese Armed Forces personnel during the ship’s port visit to Cam Ranh, the third stop of the U.S. 7th Fleet’s ongoing patrol.

​U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SOUTH CHINA SEA  –  

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard joined together to conduct a bilateral U.S.-Philippine search and rescue exercise in the South China Sea, July 16.

The bilateral U.S.-Philippine search and rescue exercise included the U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Waesche (WMSL 751) and the Philippine Coast Guard Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702). Operations included a joint sail and conducting search and rescue (SAR) training, personnel transfer evolutions, and bilateral sailing.

“It was an honor to train with our partners in the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure that we are always ready to respond to save lives on the high seas,” said Capt. Tyson Scofield, commanding officer of Waesche. “We look forward to fostering our relationship as we strive to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. Sharing lessons learned and best practices through person-to-person exercises is the best way to improve our ability to operate together on the unforgiving ocean.”

The U.S. Coast Guard regularly operates and conducts exercises alongside our allies in the Indo-Pacific region as a demonstration of our shared commitment to the rules-based international order. Bilateral exercises such as this provide valuable opportunities to train, exercise, and develop tactical interoperability across allied navies in the Indo-Pacific.

Waesche is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

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 KLANG, Malaysia  –  

U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and embarked 7th Fleet staff arrived in Port Klang, Malaysia for a routine port visit, July 17, 2024.

The port visit demonstrates the continuation of over 65 years of economic, security, and people-to-people relations between the two countries.

“Thank you to the people of Port Klang and Kuala Lumpur for their warm welcome of our Blue Ridge and Seventh Fleet teams,” said Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “Malaysia is a key partner for us in the region, and this port visit provides us an important opportunity to meet with our Royal Malaysian Navy counterparts, engage with the community here, and enjoy the local sights and culture.”

During the port visit, 7th Fleet and Blue Ridge leadership will meet with their Malaysian counterparts and local leaders to discuss ways to further advance the U.S.-Malaysia military partnership.

“Maritime security in the region has been and remains a top priority for the United States. The visit of the USS Blue Ridge to Malaysia is a testament to our strong defense partnership, which includes 14 bilateral and multilateral exercises with Malaysia. The United States is committed to further bolstering this partnership and deepening our robust and growing defense cooperation with Malaysia,” said Manu Bhalla, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Kuala Lumpur.

Additionally, members from the ship’s crew and the 7th Fleet staff will participate in community relations and cultural events to learn about the local history, and engage with the community and people of Kuala Lumpur.

As the 7th Fleet flagship, Blue Ridge is the oldest operational ship in the Navy and routinely operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

​7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PACIFIC OCEAN  –  

For many, the first image that comes to mind upon hearing Army/Navy is the annual football game between the two rival service academies. For midshipmen and cadets, inter-service competition is instilled in them from the moment they step foot onto their respective campus – exclamations of ‘Beat Navy!’ and ‘Beat Army!’ as much a part of the culture as the shared commitment to service and sacrifice.

As intense and emotional those annual competitions can be, outside of that small bubble, the relationship between the Army and the Navy is more aptly compared to a sibling rivalry, than truly adversarial.

The reality is that Army/Navy teamwork is fairly common – and it is through interoperability that the Department of Defense is able to achieve its full strength. U.S. operations in the Pacific Theater during World War II are one example of joint operations between the services. The Guadalcanal Campaign – with its remote Solomon Islands and great distance from the United States – necessitated close cooperation between land and sea forces. The Army engaged the enemy on the land while the Navy provided fire support from the sea, as well as carrying military materiel to keep troops supplied.

A more recent example showcasing the strength of our joint force was Operation Unified Response – the United States’ response to the devastating 2010 Haitian earthquake. A mere two days after the earthquake, Army paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, were on the ground in the capital, Port-au-Prince. The Navy soon followed, airdropping supplies from aircraft, establishing field hospitals, and providing medical aid with one of their hospital ships, USNS Comfort (T-AH-20).

These two historical examples illustrate that Department of Defense working together is greater than the sum of its parts. During Exercise Rim of the Pacific 2024 (RIMPAC 24) the Army’s 105th Surgical Augmentation Detachment embedded with the organic medical assets onboard USS Somerset (LPD 25), a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock, to test our services’ interoperability.

Amphibious transport dock ships, also known as LPDs, are warships that embark, transport, and land elements of a landing force for a variety of expeditionary warfare missions. Due to their mission, they require robust medical assets to include the capability for emergency care. Typically, LPDs deploy with a fleet surgical team, but this time, Somerset embarked an Army surgical detachment for the first time to explore and test the inter-service exchange of forces for future large-scale operations.

On July 13, the combined forces of Somerset’s own assets and the Army’s surgical detachment participated in a mass casualty exercise. The following are interviews with four Soldiers from the detachment.

U.S Army Sergeant Parker Mcilwain, a surgical technologist, from Lubbock, Texas. Currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Tacoma, Washington.

Q. In your own words what kind of support is your unit providing during RIMPAC?

A. “From what I understand, the Army has come to augment the capabilities of Somerset, meaning that we [the Army] have a larger number of surgically trained medical personnel, which then allows the Navy corpsmen to do more of what they’re trained to do.”

Q. Is this your first time participating in a naval exercise?

A. “Yes it is.”

Q. What’s been your overall impression so far of RIMPAC?

A. “We went to the symposiums beforehand. I’m happy to be able to expand my knowledge, and do surgery at sea, which not everyone in my specialty can say they’ve done. I hope that since we’re the first ones to do this, it will open up more opportunities for integrated operations in the future.”

Q. What’s been one positive surprise and one negative surprise of your experience?

A.” Since this is considered a deployed setting, their chow is a million times better than anything we have ever eaten out in the field. In a deployed setting, I would happily be on a ship for the food alone. One challenge is that when Sailors are at sea, they eat, sleep, and work in the same place for months at a time. That would drive me crazy. My favorite part of the day is when I get to go home and forget about work for the most part. Hangout with my wife and dog, blow off steam, and reset for the next day. You can’t do that here, because work is just two floors down.”

Q. What did your training look like in preparation for RIMPAC?

A. “So we were able to spend some time on USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Most of the cross training we did was on the ship. I do think it would be valuable, if interoperability between units becomes more of a regular thing, that the Navy comes to us and we go to the Navy so that we can do some more true cross training before the event.”

Q. What’s one thing you feel you’ve learned or gained from this experience?

A.” I feel like I’ve become more of a jack of all trades, as opposed to just being so focused on the operating room. I feel more competent now, where if one of my battle buddies in a different department were to fall out, I could step up and do the job. At least for a little while.”

U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Owen McGrane, an emergency physician, from Washington, D.C. Currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Q. Can you briefly describe in your own words, what kind of support your unit is providing during RIMPAC?

A. “So our role here is to mimic what your fleet surgical team (FST) would do. We add surgical care to your organic medical assets on the ship. That would mean the ability to take care of surgical patients and increase expertise as far as trauma care and resuscitation.”

Q. Is this a one-time situation or will there be increased joint cooperation in the future?

A. “I think that there are simply not enough FSTs to fully man LPDs, and if what we need for the future fight is to have LPDs that can provide surgical care, then the Army would be the natural service to essentially plug and play that role.”

Q. Have you ever participated in a naval exercise before?

A. “I’ve deployed with Navy SEALs on surgical teams before. I’ve never deployed on a Navy vessel, but I’ve worked with land-based Navy assets.”

Q. So first time on a Navy ship?

A. “I worked on an LSD (dock landing ship) when I was enlisted, but nothing as robust as this.”

Q. How does this experience compare with your time embedded with the SEALs?

A. “This adds on all the aspects of ship life that you would never think about. I mean ship movement, all of the damage control aspects, all of the things that I wouldn’t consider in a field environment. If I weren’t attached to the ship, I wouldn’t have to think about flooding, or any of the other limitations and challenges that come with being on a ship – these platforms make [casualty evacuation and medical evacuation] more challenging. In the field you’re either moving people by air or ground, you wouldn’t have to lily pad to other vessels. “

Q. What’s one thing that surprised you positively and one thing that surprised you negatively about this experience?

A. “Quality of life has been a positive surprise. You have better food than the Army does – don’t tell them that. Also, the ability to go to the ship store and get basic necessities is nice. One negative aspect is just how full the ship is and how limited berthing is.”

Q. How did the mass casualty drill go?

A. “I would say there is a natural tendency for people to revert to what they know during stressful situations. Just from looking at the triage station and the BDS (battle dress station) you could see there was a divide between Navy and Army. I think that as time goes on we’ll fix that, and become more of a cohesive team. But, initially it comes down to learning how you (the Navy) does things and conduct initial assessments. I think as we continue to work together, that should become more seamless.”

U.S. Army Captain Rebecca Lalonde, Surgical Detachment Commander, from Saint Ignace, Michigan. Currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord.

Q. What does Army/Navy mean to you?

A. “Army/Navy to me is the one team, one fight mentality, of being able to work together for the common good and the overall warfighter’s benefit. Whether that be completing the mission, or the best patient care possible.”

Q. What kind of support is the detachment providing during RIMPAC?

A. “Day to day, we support the ship’s company with any duties they may have. That could mean helping with trash, laundry, or medical duty for any of the operations going on around the ship. Overall for RIMPAC, we’re testing the interoperability of replacing a fleet surgical team with a surgical augmentation detachment, to see if those can be more interchangeable should we go into large scale combat operations and we need to pull from the Army to support the Navy in the Pacific, or if the Navy needs to support the Army. We’re testing if we can we be interchangeable to the point of pulling an Army detachment and plugging it directly into a Navy mission.”

Q. Did you ever think you would spend time on a Navy ship when you joined the Army?

A. “I did not, no.”

Q. What were you expectations coming into this exercise, and how have they been met or not met?

A. “That’s a hard question. I think I didn’t know what to expect, so I came into this with a really open mind and was ready to support the ship’s company. I did read about the fleet surgical team before coming here to gain a better understanding of their role. Big things were just helping out with ship activities, like being at the change of command to assist ship’s company, or when they pulled the anchor up. Then there is the overall RIMPAC mission, where we’re functioning as the surgical component of the ship, conducting training and the mass [casualty] exercise with Navy corpsmen, getting reps and sets to learn how to do our mission together. I think overall it is meeting my expectations.”

Q. Did you have any worries coming into this exercise, and have they come to fruition?

A. “My biggest concern was the integration of the junior soldiers with the corpsmen, and I think the Navy chiefs have been doing a great job of ensuring that we are creating that one team, one fight mentality.”

Q. What kind of training did you do to prepare for RIMPAC?

A. “We toured the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and did some familiarization training onboard. They did not have an LPD there (in Washington), but any exposure to the Navy is good exposure. Just getting to pick the brains of the Bremerton folks about what to bring, how to live on a ship, how to avoid getting seasick. All of that was really helpful.”

Q. What do you feel like you’ve learned or gained from this experience?

A. “I definitely think that the team as a whole has learned the importance of closed-loop communication – communication of patient tracking, and following up and reassessing patients when it comes to patient care. That means reassessing a tourniquet, or reassessing vital signs during the patient care process, then communicating those findings back to the physician or the treatment provider.”

U.S. Army Specialist Kylie Tennant, licensed practical nurse (LPN), from Colorado Springs, Colorado. Currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Q. What does Army/Navy mean to you?

A. Working together as one team.

Q. That sounds like a fake answer.

A. “No, that’s what I’ve been wanting on this whole integration thing. Which I think we’ve been struggling with.”

Q. What has been the biggest challenge, with regards to integration?

A. “Probably identifying the gaps where the Army can help with the Navy, and vice versa. I think we’re both separate right now, and not thinking about how we can best assist one another, because there are definitely areas that both services can help the other.”

Q. What are your overall perceptions of working in a joint environment?

A. “It’s hard, because the Army has their way of doing things, and the Navy has their way of doing things and we have yet to perfect the best way to mesh the two. For example, we weren’t super familiar with the SOPs (standard operating procedures), which is super important because we’re on their ship, so we have to do things their way.”

Q. What’s been one positive surprise? Negative?

A. “Positive? I would say how organized everything has been. We just did the mass [casualty] drill, and that was super chaotic. But the Navy clearly knew exactly how they wanted to run the drill, and our unit was the confounding variable. They knew what they have in triage, and what they have in the BDS, and the ICU. I feel like they’re very organized where all of the Navy personnel know what they have and where it is. They (Navy) seem to have a wider array of knowledge, where the Army has a tendency to stick to their specialties. Negatively, there could have been more of a push for integration. It still feels like the Army does their training, and the Navy does their training, without really coming together.”

Q. Do you think that will improve with more joint training?

A. “Definitely. I mean this is the first time they’ve tried this with a different service coming aboard to augment. Anytime you try something new, you’re going to identify the problems, and once we iron the kinks out I think it will make for a more cohesive team in the future.”

Twenty-nine nations, 40 surface ships, three submarines, 14 national land forces, more than 150 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands, June 27 to Aug. 1. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

​Interview responses were edited for clarity and accuracy.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, Japan  –  

The U.S. Navy announced today that Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 and Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, Detachment Forward Deployed Naval Forces (FDNF) will forward deploy to Iwakuni, Japan.

​The squadrons will join the aircraft of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, which is forward-deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.

The F-35C Lightning II aircraft of VFA 147 will replace the F/A-18 Hornets of VFA 115, while the CMV-22B Osprey aircraft of VRM 30, Det FDNF will replace the C-2A Greyhound aircraft of the Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 30 detachment previously supporting CVW 5 and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5.

The F-35C is the most capable fighter in the U.S. Navy and the backbone of air superiority; it complements the carrier strike group with a dominant, multi-role, 5th generation aircraft that enhances U.S. power projection and deterrence.

The Navy’s V-22 variant includes increased operational range, faster cargo loading/unloading, aerial refueling capability, increased survivability and enhanced beyond-line-of-sight communications when compared to the legacy C-2A. This aircraft brings agility, flexibility and sustainability to effectively operate our naval forces forward in a high-end fight. The CMV-22B represents the next generation of the Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) mission and is the critical enabler to ensure sustained deployed mobility for the carrier strike group.

CVW 5 is currently embarked aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which is slated to return to the United States for scheduled maintenance this year after nearly nine years forward-deployed to Japan.

Ronald Reagan, which is conducting routine operations in the Pacific Ocean, will be replaced as America’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Yokosuka by USS George Washington (CVN 73). CVW 5 will continue to serve as the U.S. forward-deployed carrier air wing and will be embarked aboard George Washington upon its return to Japan later this year.

George Washington previously served as the Navy’s forward-deployed carrier in Yokosuka from 2008-2015.

The forward presence of VFA 147 and VRM 30 supports the United States’ commitment to the defense of Japan and the security and stability of the vital Indo-Pacific region. They will directly support the Defense Strategic Guidance to posture the most capable units forward in the Indo-Pacific region.

The United States values Japan’s contributions to the peace, security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and its long-term commitment and hospitality in hosting U.S. forces forward deployed there. These forces, along with their counterparts in the Japan Self-Defense Forces, make up the core capabilities needed by the alliance to meet our common strategic objectives.

The security environment in the Indo-Pacific requires that the U.S. Navy station the most capable ships and aircraft forward. This posture enables rapid response times for maritime and joint forces, and brings our most capable ships with the greatest amount of striking power and operational capability to bear.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia  –  

Exercise Pitch Black 2024, the largest iteration of the Royal Australian Air Force’s premiere biennial flying exercise, officially opened on July 12 in Darwin, Australia during a ceremony held at the Darwin Convention Center attended by service members from multiple countries.

RAAF and Australian leaders provided remarks regarding the growth of the exercise and the intent of participants to learn from this opportunity.

“Pitch Black 24 will be the largest in the exercise’s 43 year history and brings together 20 participating nations, more than 140 aircraft from around the world, and over 4000 personnel,” said Eva Lawler, Chief Minister of the Northern Territory (Australia). “The territory’s landscape and clear airspace offer an ideal environment for rigorous training exercises that prepare service members to face the challenges of modern warfare.”

Aside from the size, one other significant aspect about this year’s exercise is the inclusion of six new countries’ participation: Philippines, Spain, Italy, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and Brunei.

“We have brought like-minded nations that will come together and exercise together,” said RAAF Air Commodore Peter Robinson, Officer Commanding Exercise. “We build capabilities together, we build friendships together, we build relationships together and we leave the exercise much stronger as partners.”

Though Pitch Black is an Australian-led exercise, the U.S. Air Force has been a participating member since 1983 and recognizes the unique opportunity to work with such a large group of foreign militaries to include a European presence in the Indo-Pacific making Pitch Black a world-wide experience.

​“Pitch Black is a great opportunity for us to exercise closely with our Allies and partners to bolster our combined and joint capabilities,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Ryan Nickell, USAF Pitch Black Detachment Commander. “True integration takes understanding and trust. This is our opportunity to learn from each other and contribute to stability in the region through longstanding partnerships.”