Category: US Indo Pacific Command

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

HONOLULU  –  

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command ‘s Pacific Multi-Domain Training Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) program office, led by Dr. Andre Stridiron recently hosted an Industry Engagement event which drew over 160 representatives from nearly 60 companies in attendance.

Dr. Andre J. Stridiron III, Ed.D. and the PMTEC team delivered several briefs focused on educating Industry Partners of USINDOPACOM Training and Rehearsal changes, gaps, and requirements, as well provided how to guidance on how they can engage and collaborate with IPC efforts.

Invited guest presentations from Rob Morrison the Joint Mission Accelerator Directorate (JMAD) Director, Robert Birchenough Integrated Joint Fires Cell (IJFC) and Maj Matthew Gordon from the Pacific Warfighting Center.

​The event was hosted by Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) at their Pacific Impact Zone in Ala Moana. 

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

HONOLULU  –  

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command ‘s Pacific Multi-Domain Training Experimentation Capability (PMTEC) program office, led by Dr. Andre Stridiron recently hosted an Industry Engagement event which drew over 160 representatives from nearly 60 companies in attendance.

Dr. Andre J. Stridiron III, Ed.D. and the PMTEC team delivered several briefs focused on educating Industry Partners of USINDOPACOM Training and Rehearsal changes, gaps, and requirements, as well provided how to guidance on how they can engage and collaborate with IPC efforts.

Invited guest presentations from Rob Morrison the Joint Mission Accelerator Directorate (JMAD) Director, Robert Birchenough Integrated Joint Fires Cell (IJFC) and Maj Matthew Gordon from the Pacific Warfighting Center.

​The event was hosted by Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) at their Pacific Impact Zone in Ala Moana. 

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

From April 8th to May 10th, 2024, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron (MALS) 24, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24,1st Marine Aircraft Wing, executed a meticulously planned exercise, displacing a main body detachment of 59 U.S. Marines and equipment across Marine Corps Base Hawaii. The purpose of Displaced Warrior was to rehearse intermediate-level aviation logistics in austere conditions. An additional 48 Marines made up the second main body and rotated in to gain exposure to Mobile Maintenance Facilities (MMFs) without disrupting the ongoing flight operations at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SOUTH CHINA SEA  –  

Participants included U.S. Navy Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26), Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8) and Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS Tromp (F803).

“The Netherlands is one of our oldest, continuous bilateral relationships, stemming from the 18th century. I look forward to any opportunity to work together with partners and allies, especially at sea,” said Capt. Sean Lewis, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. “We share a deep commitment to maintaining stability and free use of vital sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific.”

The bilateral operation provided a valuable opportunity to improve allied interoperability and conduct complex scenarios to improve combined readiness.

“We’re fortunate to work together with allies and to have them provide replenishment to us. Operating together fortifies our existing relationship with our partners from the U.S.,” said Cmdr. Yvonne van Beusekom, Commanding Officer HNLMS Tromp. “We look to continue coordination between our nations to promote regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The U.S. Navy regularly participates with allies and partners in high-end maritime exercises and operations, which have continued to grow in scale, scope and complexity, to create combined operations that enhance interoperability, boost deterrence and demonstrate shared resolve.

“We are fortunate to work with friends at sea in the region. Consistent collaboration makes us better as a crew and more capable as a joint force,” said Cmdr. David Gardner, commanding officer for Mobile. “Bilateral operations like these strengthen bonds with our Royal Netherlands Navy partners and deepen our understanding of how to operate together.”

During the operation, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15 acted as a facilitator between DESRON 7 and the Netherlands. Multilateral operations improve interoperability between allied navies and support a free and open Indo-Pacific. These evolutions demonstrate the strength of regional partnerships, interchangeability and cooperation.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander and builds partnerships through training and exercises and military-to military engagements.

​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

MANILA, Philippines  –  

U.S. Army Soldiers from the 3rd Mobilization Support Group, held the first-ever Army Reserve Subject Matter Expert Exchanges with the Philippine Army Reserve during Exercise Salaknib and Exercise Balikatan 24 in April, 2024.

​For three weeks, service members of 3rd MSG, based at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska, and a direct reporting unit under the 9th Mission Support Command exchanged knowledge on policies, processes, and systems with their PAR counterparts at multiple locations across the island of Luzon.

“The purpose of the bilateral exchange is to develop the institutional knowledge necessary for successful mobilization of Reserve Soldiers for contingencies,” said U.S. Army Reserve Col. Chris Nagelvoort, 3rd MSC commander. “The Philippine Army Reserve learned a lot, and so did we.”

The United States and the Philippines have an extensive history of security cooperation.. A significant component of this history is the U.S. Army Pacific. Every year, USARPAC sponsors exchanges with the Philippine Army to strengthen partnerships and interoperability in various disciplines and skill sets as part of Exercise Salaknib and Exercise Balakitan. The SMEE provided a clearer understanding of how both Reserve components can interact and operate together in the future.

Leaders from USARPAC, 9th MSC, and the Philippine Army conceived the Reserve SMEE program to share best practices on Reserve readiness – a priority for both Armies. To support this requirement, the 3rd MSG and the Philippine Army Reserve Command developed a multi-year SMEE framework that consists of a series of annual events held at different headquarters elements with a focus on enhancing the scope and scale of mobilization exercises.

“We are proud of the 3rd MSG having been selected by USARPAC and 9th MSC to be the first to partner with our friends in the Philippine Army Reserve in what is to be a 3-year engagement plan,” said U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Gene Espinoza, an operations officer with 3rd MSG.

The 3rd MSG was selected to lead the SMEE based on its recent experience managing a large mobilization exercise held on Oahu and its mobilization and deployment to Guam to oversee Typhoon Mawar response operations, both of which occurred in the summer of 2023.

“The SMEE is more than just an information exchange between our two militaries,” said U.S. Army Reserve Command Sgt. Maj. Oskar Ramirez, command sergeant major of the 3rd MSG and senior NCO facilitator. “It establishes a baseline from where future participants can gather together to focus on the bi-lateral readiness of our forces, gain insight into true integration between Citizen-Soldiers, adopt new skills, processes, and procedures and strengthen the bond between the Philippines and U.S.”.

The 3rd MSG stretches from Alaska to Guam and has deep ties to the area. It continues to utilize its expertise to support and uphold the commitments of the Mutual Defense Treaty, a testament to its dedication and shared purpose. Plans are already underway for future collaborations between the U.S. Army Reserve and its Philippine Army Reserve counterparts.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MAUI SPACE FORCE STATION, Hawaii  –  

Perched atop the 10,023-foot summit of Haleakalā in Hawaii, lives Space Delta 2’s 15th Space Surveillance Squadron. The 15th SPSS operates the Maui Space Surveillance Complex and is home to small, medium, and large-aperture tracking optics, including the Department of Defense’s largest optical telescope designed for satellite tracking and imaging, as well as visible and infrared sensors for data collection on near-Earth and deep-space objects.

​Tracking of these deep space objects will soon be made more efficient, thanks to the Mount Official Scheduling System, also known as MOSS.

“The MOSS tool provides a simple and effective avenue to effectively balance scheduling needs,” said U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Holland, base operations and sustainment project manager. “MOSS is forecasted to eliminate the available time to operate our sensors that currently goes unused due to these scheduling mishaps, which is currently estimated at 41% of the calendar year.”

In just under six months, the MOSS team created and deployed a web-based application that provides the warfighter with 15-20% more Space Domain Awareness data while also laying the groundwork for future operational capability development and deployment to operational units across the Service.

“When it comes to future enhancement, we want to have a version of MOSS on Secret and [Top Secret] networks so that all of our external partners can access and use the tool because many live on the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System,” Holland said. “We also want to integrate a function that tracks metrics for our current operations.”

A team of six members, consisting of Guardians and Airmen, enabled 150 more days per year of Electro-Optical telescope usage for non-traditional sensors that provide operationally relevant SDA data to the warfighter, a 41% increase over legacy operations.

“Currently we waste 150 days a year due to scheduling issues that prevent us from operating,” Holland said. “This cloud-based application, made by our own active-duty Guardians, will eliminate those wasted days and enable us to execute operations every day there are not weather impacts or maintenance being conducted.”

By MOSS reducing 15th SPSS operational planning by half, this provides transparent scheduling capabilities to the research and development and intelligence community.

“We aim to pair MOSS with a 15SPSS ‘Portal’ that we plan to build in the future as our second product team,” Holland said. “The portal will serve as a JWICS homepage for our site and will have sensor status the interactive view/request schedule functionality via MOSS, and a Dropbox type function for pushing data from our site to our operators.”

The comprehensive goal of MOSS is simple, says Holland. “The overall goal for us via MOSS and the Portal will be to ensure we are utilizing our exquisite research and development capabilities in Maui to most effectively serve the SDA communities’ needs.”

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

BARIRA, Philippines  –  

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and service members with the Philippine Armed Forces conduct marksmanship training during Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum in Barira, Philippines, May 16, 2024. ACDC is a series of bilateral exchanges and training opportunities between U.S. Marines and Philippine marines aimed at bolstering the Philippine Marine Corps’ Coastal Defense strategy while supporting the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Christian Tofteroo) 

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

SAN DIEGO  –  

Approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise scheduled June 26 to Aug. 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

RIMPAC 2024 is the 29th exercise in the series that began in 1971. As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC combines force capabilities in a dynamic maritime environment to demonstrate enduring interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations.

The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” To promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, Exercise RIMPAC is the premier joint and combined maritime exercise, utilizing and preserving a world class maritime training environment. With inclusivity at its core, RIMPAC fosters multi-national cooperation and trust, leverages interoperability, and achieves respective national objectives to strengthen integrated, prepared, coalition partners.

This year’s exercise includes forces from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2024 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who will serve as the Combined Task Force (CTF) commander. For the first time in RIMPAC history, a member of the Chilean Navy, Commodore Alberto Guerrero, will serve as deputy commander of the CTF. Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will serve as vice commander. Other key leaders of the multinational force will include Commodore Kristjan Monaghan of Canada, who will command the maritime component, and Air Commodore Louise Desjardins of Australia, who will command the air component.

During RIMPAC, integrated and prepared partners train and operate together in order to strengthen our collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. RIMPAC 2024 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict.

Details of RIMPAC activities and imagery are available at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac and https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/RIMPAC2024. Media coverage of RIMPAC 2024 is authorized and encouraged, but in all cases will be coordinated through the Combined Joint Information Bureau (CJIB). Media interested in covering the exercise should fill out the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSTgxjVU15yNS2OB_BKyzTxJQSjbVzecnbj5XU9vUke6QRQ/viewform

Any additional questions/queries should be sent to rimpac.media@gmail.com, or the C3F PA team (619-767-4383). Contact information for the RIMPAC CJIB will be made available prior to the beginning of the exercise.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

HONOLULU, Hawaii  –  

Senior non-commissioned officers, senior officers, warrant officers, allies, and partners across the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) area of responsibility came together May 14 through the 16 for three days of engaging Senior Leadership discussions at the annual Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC) Leadership Forum. This year, high-performing military leaders from Pacific units participated in this forum, showcasing their leadership and experiences while commemorating the past and those who fought for our freedom.

The LANPAC Leadership Forum, organized by the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Center for Leadership, is an annual gathering that offers learning opportunities, focusing on Joint and Coalition Team Building in the Indo-Pacific. Geared towards providing professional development and networking opportunities for leaders throughout the Indo-Pacific, the forum featured interactive learning, group exercises, and engaging Senior Leader discussions. The forum was a valuable platform for participants to connect with others across the USARPAC organization and strengthened alliances with our sister services, Allies, and partners across the USINDOPACOM area of responsibility, highlighting the potential for growth and development.

The forum began with speeches by Col. Brandon Teague, the 5th Security Forces Assistance Brigade Commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Smith. They focused on being good team members while working with international coalition forces and building teams within the organization. “Overcommunication is very difficult in our formation,” said Col. Teague. “Being able to communicate in different ways was something that, as a Brigade commander, I took a hard look at. Communication and knowing your environment can solve problems before they happen.”

The day concluded with inspirational talks from Lt. Gen. (Retired) Leslie C. Smith and U.S. Army Combat Veteran and Gold Star Father Allen Hoe, who discussed their experiences, history, and leadership in today’s army.

On the second day, participants visited the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, celebrating “Inspiration to Lead.” The visit featured moving stories from the past and the ongoing legacy of military leadership. Speakers included Allen Hoe and Lt. Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, who emphasized the importance of leadership and dedication to service. Command Sgt. Maj. Jack H. Love and Command Sgt. Maj (Retired) Mario O. Terenas also spoke on being ambassadors in the workplace and the importance of partners and allies in training to meet standards.

The final day featured a powerful talk by Brig. Gen Jeff VanAntwerp, who discussed the importance of vulnerability and the opportunity to build close connections. “Think less about yourself, and consider others more,” said Brig. Gen VanAntwerp, Deputy Chief of Staff.

He highlighted that addressing our biggest problems requires overcoming pride and embracing openness and collaboration. The day concluded with Lt. Gen. (Retired) John W. Morgan, who spoke about the roles of strategic and operational leaders, emphasizing the importance of vision, adaptability, and decisiveness in leadership. “When we set the vision and tone on how we want the organization to be like and how we want it to operate, we communicate with all the soldiers in our formation. You will be creating an intent and purpose on how you are going to achieve the mission,” said Lt. Gen. (Retired) Morgan, Defense & Intelligence Leader, IBM Consulting.

​The LANPAC Leadership Forum brought together Army Soldiers, Joint Partners, Allies, and Partners in the Indo-Pacific region. This multilateral event promoted professional development and enhanced military-to-military relationships, underscoring the integral role of engaging allies and partners across the USINDOPACOM area of responsibility.

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines  –  

Elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Philippine Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Brigade conducted the largest combined military convoy to date on Palawan Island, Philippines, May 15, 2024.

The convoy consisted of four KM450s and two KM250 Philippine Marine Corps trucks, eight U.S. Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and two Ultralight Tactical Vehicles assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 15 and Battalion Landing Team 1/5, and a force of more than 80 mounted personnel from all the participating units.

The convoy was conducted as part of Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum, a series of bilateral exchanges and training opportunities between U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines aimed at bolstering the Philippine Marine Corps’ coastal defense strategy while supporting the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“This is the first time we have done a convoy like this with our allies in Palawan, especially over this distance,” said U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Chance Hogan, a combat engineer officer and a lead convoy planner for CLB-15. “For it to be so successful and conduct such a large integrated convoy makes us excited for us to continue to build upon this event in the future.”

After completing all mission planning, coordination, and pre-combat inspections together at Philippine Marine Base Camp Rodolpho, the vehicles departed and traveled more than 30 miles south along Palawan’s eastern coast using roads and highways to arrive at Kamuning Beach, simulating a rapid response for a mobile coastal defense.

Once near their objective, Philippine and U.S. Marines dismounted, set security and used small unmanned aerial vehicle systems to reconnoiter the area before guides led the force into positions for blocking an enemy amphibious landing.  The combined force developed an integrated coastal engagement area, integrating obstacles with direct and indirect fires weapon systems entrenched in concealed positions.  Meanwhile, CLB-15 Marines sustained the force with fresh water using a Lightweight Water Purification System, burying the system’s hoses under the sand to conceal them as they entered the waterline.

In the week leading up to the convoy, Marines from CLB-15 conducted detailed road and bridge engineering surveys to confirm the convoy vehicles would not impact any of the local infrastructure.

The 15th MEU is under the command and control of Commander, Task Force 76/3, employed by U.S. 7th Fleet to operate with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.

​Media should direct all questions about ACDC to 1stLt John Fischer at john.fischer@usmc.mil.