U.S. Indo-Pacific Command > Media

Yama Sakura 67 Blossoms, Strengthens Bilateral Readiness
December 11, 2014 — A myriad of service members spanning multiple branches of military service and nationalities gathered in areas around Tokyo, Japan with one common goal in mind: to defend Japan from simulated... MORE

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (Dec. 8, 2014) - A U.S. Army Soldier and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldier prepare for the Yama Sakura 67 exercise. Yama Sakura is an annual bilateral exercise between the U.S. Army and JGSDF that is aimed at increasing combat readiness between the two nations.

Marines, 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade Team Up for Exercise Valiant Mark 14.2
December 11, 2014 — Over a dozen U.S. Marines and Singapore soldiers stood outside the walls of a combat simulation town and devised a reaction strategy in case of Improvised Explosive Device attacks. Inside the... MORE

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, California (Dec. 6, 2014) - Soldiers with 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade and Marines with 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment devise a reaction strategy in case of simulated Improvised Explosive Device attacks during exercise Valiant Mark aboard Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton. Valiant Mark enhances U.S. and Singaporean forces’ combined combat readiness through live-fire and urban terrain training as well as amphibious operations familiarization.

Holiday Cheer En-route to an Island Micronesian Area of the Pacific
December 10, 2014 — Military personnel, civic leaders and leadership throughout the Micronesian area of the Pacific gathered here to officially perform a push ceremony for the 63rd annual Operation Christmas Drop Dec... MORE

Human Rights Day Statement by Ambassador Max Baucus
December 10, 2014 — Today we celebrate International Human Rights Day and commemorate the66th anniversary of the United Nation’s Universal Declaration ofHuman Rights. In the United States, we use this day to reflect on... MORE

Japanese Navy Shares Cultural Event with US Counterparts
December 10, 2014 — Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Yokosuka and Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Ship Supply Depot (SSD) members came together Dec. 5 in a celebration of... MORE

Louisville Visits Singapore during Western Pacific Deployment
December 10, 2014 — Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Louisville (SSN 724) arrived at Changi Naval Base Dec. 5 for a port call as part of her deployment to the Western Pacific. With an augmented complement of... MORE

New PACAF Commander, Command Chief Visit Iceman Team
December 10, 2014 — Gen. Lori Robinson, the Pacific Air Forces commander, and Chief Master Sgt. Buddy Hutchison, the Pacific Air Forces command chief, visited Eielson Air Force Base to gain a better understanding of base... MORE

US Soldiers Serve Japanese Communities
December 9, 2014 — Sumo wrestling with children and pulverizing rice with a hammer are not your average community service projects – unless you’re in Japan.U.S. service members joined their Japanese counterparts Dec... MORE

YOKOSUKA, Japan (Dec. 6, 2014) - Intelligence Specialist Seaman Amy Graham, from U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), shares a gift with a local child from Shunkouen Spring Bright Garden Orphanage during a community relations (COMREL) event. Blue Ridge COMRELs strengthen relations promoting peace, stability and our commitment to our local communities. 141206-N-KG618-040

Marines, Japanese Students Share Culture
December 9, 2014 — U.S. Marines participating in exercise Forest Light 15-1 visited with high school students here Dec. 5.A group of 11 Marines took time out of their bilateral training to speak with students at... MORE

US Embassy Expresses Condolences to the Philippine Government for the Devastation Caused by Typhoon Ruby
December 8, 2014 — On behalf of the U.S. Government, the United StatesEmbassy Manila wishes to extend our deepest condolences for the loss of life anddevastation caused by Typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit).The... MORE

Pearl Harbor Day Commemorates 73rd Anniversary of Attacks
December 8, 2014 — Veterans, service members, families and guests commemorated Pearl Harbor Day with multiple ceremonies at Ford Island and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Dec. 7.The theme of this year's historic... MORE

PEARL HARBOR (Dec. 7, 2014) - Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93) conduct a pass-in-review at the USS Arizona Memorial during the 73rd Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration. More than 2,000 guests, including Pearl Harbor survivors and other veterans, attended the National Park Service and U.S. Navy-hosted joint memorial ceremony at the World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Johans Chavarro) 141207-N-IU636-276

VMM-265 Lands at MCAS Iwakuni, Begins Preparation for Support of Exercise Forest Light
December 8, 2014 — Three MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 landed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 6, 2014, to refuel and begin planning for support of Exercise... MORE

U.S. Air Force B-52 Takes Part in Joint Training at Royal Australian Air Force Darwin
December 8, 2014 — The U.S. Air Force will send a B-52 and KC-135, operatingfrom Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwinlater this week to take part in short term joint training with the... MORE

Anchorage Completes NASA Orion Mission
December 8, 2014 — San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) successfully completed recovery operations of the NASA Orion crew module, forward bay cover, and parachutes, Dec 5. The... MORE

PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 5, 2014) - Sailors from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and Navy divers assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11, Mobile Dive and Salvage Company 11-7, attach a line to the Orion crew module. Anchorage is conducting the first exploration test flight for the NASA Orion Program. EFT-1 is the fifth at sea testing of the Orion Crew Module using a Navy well deck recovery method. 141205-N-FO359-385

Team Osan Receives Follow-on Forces, Cargo for Exercise Beverly Bulldog 15-01
December 5, 2014 — Typically, the 731st Air Mobility Squadron, operating out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, is responsible for the safe passage of thousands of passengers entering and exiting the ROK. However, the... MORE

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (Dec. 4, 2014) - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Fontanilla, 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew chief, ensures munitions are properly fitted to an F-16 Fighting Falcon. Fontanilla and his team worked quickly to arm the aircraft during exercise Beverly Sunrise 15-1. Misawa, along with other wings in the Pacific Air Forces are working together in a newly designed exercise system. 141204-F-SI704-006

Obama Nominates New DOD Chief
December 5, 2014 — President Obama nominated Ashton Carter as his fourth secretary of Defense on Friday, calling him one of the nation's “foremost national security leaders.”“He knows the Department of Defense inside... MORE

Team Andersen Hosts Annual Operation Christmas Drop Push Ceremony
December 5, 2014 — Thousands of islanders on more than 50 Pacific islands will soon see hundreds of crates containing humanitarian aid and presents parachuting near their homes as Operation Christmas Drop marks its 63rd... MORE

In this photo, an Operation Christmas Drop volunteer uses a forklift to transport boxes containing toys. Operation Christmas Drop is an annual humanitarian airlift mission that began in 1952 and supplies more than 50 islands with boxes that contain donations such as non-perishable food items, clothing, medical supplies, tools, toys and other various items.

Michael Murphy Enhances Interoperability with French Ship
December 5, 2014 — Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) conducted a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the French frigate FS Vendemiaire (F734), Nov. 28, while operating in the South... MORE

In this photo, the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) is returning with 19 civilians embarked who were transferred from Protecteur, which experienced an engine fire and is under tow returning to Pearl Harbor.

Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Instructor Course Tests Marines Endurance on Beaches of Okinawa
December 5, 2014 — In the summer of 1945, near the end of World War II, Marines stormed the beaches of Okinawa, which later became known as the bloodiest battle of the Pacific. Marines were ready to survive by all... MORE

One Shot: Marines, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Complete Sniper Training
December 4, 2014 — U.S. Marine Corps scout snipers collaborated with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force snipers during a lesson in stalking Dec. 2 in the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan.The... MORE

YAMATO, KUMAMOTO, Japan (Dec. 2, 2014) - U.S. Marine Sgt. Joseph Armistead, crouching, instructs Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)Members during sniper stalk lane training in the Oyanohara Training Area. The training is part of Forest Light 15-1, a semi-annual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and field training events conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. Armistead, from Seymour, Tennessee, is a scout sniper with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, under the unit deployment program. The JGSDF scout snipers are with 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, JGSDF. 141203-M-GX711-105.