Category: US Navy Pacific Fleet

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

SRI VIJAYA PURAM, India — The Pathfinder class oceanographic survey ship USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62) departed Sri Vijaya Puram (formerly known as Port Blair) following a scheduled port visit on July 25, 2025.

This port visit demonstrates U.S. and India’s shared democratic values and mutual commitment to advancing security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region through strengthened maritime partnership.

During the visit, Bowditch leadership conducted office calls with the leadership of the Andaman and Nicobar Command. The ship also hosted tours for Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard counterparts, fostering deeper cooperation between the two maritime forces. Additionally, crew members participated in cultural exchange activities, including visits to the Cellular Jail and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep, strengthening people-to-people connections and building lasting partnerships.

“The officers and crew of the USNS Bowditch have been proud to participate in many activities during our visit that not only boost morale but also strengthen our relationship with our partners, the Indian Navy,” said Capt. Dave Mitchell, commanding officer of the USNS Bowditch.

This marks the first port visit to India by a U.S. Navy Special Mission vessel in two decades highlighting continued U.S. commitment to sustained presence and collaborative engagement with key regional partners.

Bowditch is a oceanographic survey ship attached to Military Sealift Command and is currently underway in the Indo-Pacific supporting 7th fleet, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, alongside allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific. The Bowditch is one of six oceanographic survey ships operated by personnel from the Naval Oceanographic Office located at the John C. Stennis Space Center located in Bay St. Louis, Miss.

Bowditch performs acoustic, biological, physical and geophysical surveys, providing much of the U.S. military’s information on the ocean environment. Bowditch utilizes multi-beam, wide angle precision sonar systems, capable of continuously charting extensive areas of the ever-changing ocean floor.

The U.S. Navy’s hydrographic mission promotes diplomacy and military cooperation through information sharing and combined survey missions with partners and allies, respectively. Hydrographic and oceanographic data gathered by the Naval Oceanographic Office’s personnel is a key element in safety of navigation for U.S. platforms helping ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region, which directly contributes to global economic stability.

Commander, Submarine Group 7 directs forward-deployed, combat capable forces across the full spectrum of undersea warfare throughout the Western Pacific, Indian Ocean, and Arabian Sea.

Commander, Logistics Western Pacific/Task Force 73 supports deployed surface units and aircraft carriers, along with regional allies and partners, to facilitate patrols in the South China Sea, participation in naval exercises and response to natural disasters.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

For more news from Commander, Submarine Group 7, visit www.csp.navy.mil/csg7/

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)

LAE, Papua New Guinea – Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific., July, 26.

Returning to Papua New Guinea following last year’s visit to Port Moresby and Wewak, the mission team will work to strengthen relationships, and bolster host nation capacity in order to provide humanitarian services, and support efforts to prepare and respond to potential natural disasters in the Indo-Pacific region. Engagements for this year’s mission are scheduled to take place across Lae and Port Moresby.

At the invitation of Papua New Guinea, Pacific Partnership’s mission is based on the shared goal of enhancing partnerships with allied nations and building mutual understanding. People-to-people relationships, forged over decades of joint exercises, exchanges, and collaborative response to real-world crises, illustrate the value we place in our allies and partners, and our enduring commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific as well as Papua New Guinea outreach events. This year’s mission, featuring nearly 1500 personnel from the United States and participating nations including Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea (ROK), Singapore, and the United Kingdom.

“I am excited for what Pacific Partnership 2025 is bringing to Papua New Guinea and grateful for the help of the eight partner nations who are here with us in this effort,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Stefanik, Mission Commander. “The focus is on collective capacity building that strengthens our collaboration with our allies and partners, beginning here in Papua New Guinea — providing opportunities to develop operations, activities and investments as we prepare in calm for times of crisis.”

While in Papua New Guinea, Pacific Partnership 2025 will provide tailored medical subject-matter exchanges and community education, conduct repairs at a local schoolhouse, and knowledge exchanges with exercises covering disaster response and humanitarian assistance. Additionally, the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band, accompanied by band members from the supporting nations, will perform in a variety of community engagements.

“We plan to create lasting bonds of friendship and trust between mission partners and host nations by coming together to prepare in calm, in order to be able to respond quickly in crisis.” said Col. Matt Churchward, Deputy Mission Commander.

Pacific Partnership 2025 underscores the essential role public health plays in strengthening regional cooperation, improving medical readiness, and building trust among partner nations.

Source: United States Navy (Logistics Group Western Pacific)