The Indo-Pacific health alliance for security (IPhsa) plays a critical role in enhancing health security across the Indo-Pacific region by fostering collaboration between civilian and military sectors. Through integrated efforts, IPhsa helps mitigate global health security threats and strengthen national and regional resilience. By bolstering the capacity of civilian and military entities, IPhsa aims to strengthen partnerships, counter malign influences, and improve readiness, ultimately contributing to peace, security, and prosperity in a free and resilient Indo-Pacific.

Vision: To integrate civil-military cooperation and sustained health security partnerships contributing to a prepared and resilient Indo-Pacific region.

Mission: To counter global health security threats, strengthen regional resilience, and expand civil-military collaboration with like-minded partners and to enhance shared capabilities to safeguard the Indo-Pacific region.

For any questions or additional details, please feel free to reach out to us at IPhsa@us.navy.mil

December 2025

IPhsa coming to Japan in 2025!

Japan has agreed to host IPhsa during the Indo-Pacific Military Health Exchange, December 2-5^th! For any questions or additional details, please feel free to reach out to us at IPhsa@us.navy.mil.

>>> for our past country spotlights, click here <<<

Spotlight: Papua New Guinea

Summer 2025

U.S. Navy heading to PNG for Pacific Partnership medical mission

The Pacific Partnership (PP) mission is the U.S. Navy’s largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific. One of the planned 2025 PP stops will be PNG where the medical component of the mission will include clinical support in areas such as dentistry and optometry, community health engagements, public health improvement strategies, and veterinary engagements. These efforts are designed to enhance capabilities and regional interoperability, increase security and stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships throughout the Indo-Pacific.

April 2025

U.S. WRAIR-AFRMIS, ADF Biosurveillance partnership with PNG

The U.S. Walter Reed Army Institute of Research-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (WRAIR-AFRIMS), Australian Defense Force Malaria and Infectious Disease Institute (ADFMIDI) are conducting a 10-year study in partnership with Papua New Guinea Defense Force (PNGDF) and their families. This study (2019-2029) focuses on Biosurveillance of vector-borne diseases and drug-resistant bacteria, including malaria, around PNGDF bases. Each year, as part of exercise “No Sick Soljia”, this partnership carries out a focal screen-and-treat effort over a 6-week period at selected PNGDF bases. This initiative strengthens partnerships and fosters interoperability between US, Australia and PNG.

October 18, 2024

U.S. Air Force PACIFIC ANGEL – medical engagement with PNGDF

The U.S. Air Force, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) PACIFIC ANGEL held 26-30 August 2024 focused on enhancing disaster preparedness, medical capabilities, and regional cooperation among the U.S., PNG Defense Force (PNGDF), and partners from Australia and France. The exercise included key discussions on aeromedical evacuation (AE), public health, trauma care and austere medicine, and mental health support. AE SMEs from the USAF, Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and French Armed Forces of the New Caledonia (FANC) conducted hands-on demonstrations with PNGDF personnel, focusing on patient movement, trauma care, and live flight operations using various aircraft. These efforts significantly improved PNGDF’s capacity to manage AE operations in disaster situations, fostering stronger interoperability.

April 11, 2024

U.S. Army surgical detachment works alongside PNG doctors

Members of the U.S. Army's 135th Forward Resuscitative and Surgical Detachment, 65th Medical Brigade deployed to Papua New Guinea’s Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN), enhancing trauma care. Working in a resource-constrained environment, the team collaborated with local medical staff to exchange expertise, build interoperability, and adapt to high-demand scenarios. This surgical rotation was facilitated by the Defense Cooperation Agreement which was signed in May 2023 and ratified in August 2023.

August 2023

U.S. Navy Biosurveillance collaboration with PNG

U.S. Navy Medical Research Unit - Indo Pacific (NAMRU-IP) in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea's National Department of Health and Central Public Health Laboratory launched a Biosurveillance project in August 2023, focusing on respiratory and febrile illness. The study spans Port Moresby General Hospital, six civilian clinics and two PNG Defense Force barracks clinics, identifying pathogens such as dengue, malaria, influenza and SARS-CoV-2. BioFire FilmArray PCR testing in Central Public Health Laboratory is a major milestone for PNG.

01

George Washington Conducts Sinking Exercise during Valiant Shield 2026

PHILIPPINE SEA (June 25, 2026) — An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, readies for takeoff on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in support of a live-fire sinking exercise...

02

Multilateral, Joint Forces execute sinking exercise during Valiant Shield 2026

PHILIPPINE SEA (June 27, 2026) — Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force submarine fires a torpedo at the decommissioned USS Juneau in support of a live-fire sinking exercise (SINKEX) as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while underway in the Philippine Sea,...

03

Boxer Sailors Conduct Flight Operations

STRAIT OF MALACCA (June 21, 2026) — A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), sits on the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer...

04

11th MEU Marines, Sailors Conduct Flight Operations Aboard USS Boxer

INDIAN OCEAN (June 23, 2026) — A U.S. Marine with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit observes a UH-1Y Venom assigned to VMM 163 (Rein.), 11th MEU, during flight operations aboard Wasp-class...

05

U.S. Navy personnel conduct airborne training over Yokota Air Base

YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (June 23, 2026) — A U.S. Navy sailor descends after jumping from a U.S. Air Force C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 36th Airlift Squadron during airborne training at Yokota Air Base, Japan, June 22, 2026. The training...

06

George Washington Conducts Flight Operations

PHILIPPINE SEA (June 23, 2026) — An F/A-18 Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, readies for takeoff on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) as part of Valiant Shield 2026 while...

07

George Washington Strike Group Participates in Valiant Shield 2026

PHILIPPINE SEA (June 21, 2026) — U.S. Navy aircraft, attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs fly over U.S. Navy George Washington Carrier Strike Group as it sails in formation with Japan Maritime Self-Defense...

08

USS Theodore Roosevelt

PACIFIC OCEAN (June 22, 2026) – U.S. Navy Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Coy Manwill, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, guides an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter, landing on the flight deck Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS...

09

U.S., Philippine Coast Guards holds joint pre-exercise engagements in Guam

GUAM (June 10, 2026) — Members of the BRP Gabriela Silang prepare to get underway with Station Apra Harbor, in Guam, on June 10, 2026. The U.S. Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard completed a series of joint pre-exercise engagements in and...

10

11th MEU Marines, Sailors Conduct Flight Operations Aboard USS Boxer

SOUTH CHINA SEA (June 13, 2026) — A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is staged on the flight deck aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4)...

IPhsa News

IPhsa Reports and Agreements

IPhsa Summary Report 6-8 May 2025

The following report summarizes the three day IPhsa event hosted by Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) in Port Moresby, co-chaired by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).

2025 Terms of Reference of the IPhsa

This document provides terms of reference for the IPhsa (8 May 2025) to include the following signatories: U.S., Australia and Papua New Guinea.

IPhsa Readout ICMM 26 September 2024

IPhsa at the 45th International Committee for Military Medicine World Congress, 26 September 2024, Brisbane Australia.

Military-Civilian Health Security Summit Summary Report 16-17 June 2024

The following report encapsulates the key highlights, outcomes, and action points that emerged from the IPhsa working group meeting. By harnessing the expertise and dedication of the participants, this initiative aims to create a robust alliance that will contribute to building health security resilience in the region.

2024 Terms of Reference of the IPhsa

This document provides terms of reference for the IPhsa (17 June 2024).

IPhsa Summary Report 18-19 July 2023

2022 Memorandum of Cooperation Between USINDOPACOM and Australian Defence Force

The U.S Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), a represented by the Jo7, and the Australian Defense Force (ADF), as represented by the Joint Health Command (JHC) share a joint interest in fostering and advancing health security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Resources

National Civil-Military Health Collaboration Framework for Strengthening Health Emergency Preparedness

World Health Organization: This report highlights the critical role of military assistance in responding to natural and environmental disasters, as well as public health emergencies. It emphasizes the importance of civil-military collaboration in enhancing emergency preparedness and response, advocating for stronger partnerships between public health and military sectors to optimize resources and coordination.

Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework

World Health Organization: The document outlines a comprehensive strategy for addressing public health emergencies in the Asia Pacific region, which includes diverse health threats like infectious diseases, climate-related disasters, and antimicrobial resistance. Building on past frameworks, the document introduces a six-domain approach encompassing leadership, preparedness, response, resilience, support, and continuous improvement to strengthen regional health security systems.