Military representatives from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, along with U.S. interagency and law enforcement partners, met with senior leaders from the Republic of Palau during a U.S. – Palau Joint Committee Meeting held at Palau International Airport in AIRAI, March 5.

On Feb. 23, 2026, the crew of the USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) delivers supplies to the residents of Pagan Island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in coordination with the Northern Islands mayor's office and a routine Operation Rematau patrol.

On Feb. 22, 2026, the crew of the USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) returns from delivering supplies to the residents of Agrihan Island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in coordination with the Northern Islands mayor's office and a routine Operation Rematau patrol.

On Feb. 22, 2026, the crew of the USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) stands for a photo as they prepare to deliver supplies to the residents of Agrihan Island in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in coordination with the Northern Islands mayor's office and a routine Operation Rematau patrol.

Chief of Staff for Joint Task Force – Micronesia

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, right, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, participates in a panel discussion at the Honolulu Defense Forum in Honolulu, Jan. 13, 2026.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, second from the left, and other military component representatives participate in the “Accelerating Multi-Domain Deterrence Needs for the Indo-Pacific” panel at the Honolulu Defense Forum in Honolulu, Jan. 12, 2026.

Lt. Gen. James Glynn, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, center right, and other military component representatives participate in the “Accelerating Multi-Domain Deterrence Needs for the Indo-Pacific” panel at the Honolulu Defense Forum in Honolulu, Jan. 12, 2026.

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Gov. David Apatang addresses military leaders during the CNMI Stakeholders meeting in Saipan, Dec. 4.

From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airmen Mark Weinstein and Cody Raymond, 374th Air Expeditionary Wing loadmasters, drop humanitarian bundles.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle, left, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John Perryman, host an all-hands call with Sailors at Naval Base Guam theater, Nov. 19.

Commander, Naval Base Guam Capt. John Frye, right, and Virgilio Figueras, housing director for NBG, left, provide Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle a tour of unaccompanied housing on NBG, Nov. 19.

Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) returns to Naval Base Guam, reaffirming its role in the Indo-Pacific, Nov. 18, 2025.

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer, JS Hyuga, leads United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Fitzgerald (centre-right), Indian Navy Shivalik-class frigate, INS Sahyadri (centre-left), and Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate, HMAS Ballarat, during Exercise MALABAR 25 off the coast of Guam.

Guam Gov. Lourdes Leon Guerrero, Lt. Gov. Joshua Tenorio, U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, commander, Joint Task Force-Micronesia, and Rear Adm. Brett Mietus, commander, Joint Region Marianas, provide updates during the Civil-Military Coordination Council meeting at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Complex in Hagatna, Nov. 14.

The USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) crew return to homeport Nov. 5, 2025, after a deployment of more than eight months that included scheduled drydock maintenance in Honolulu and activities in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The cutter departed Guam on Feb. 24 and is the third Guam-based Fast Response Cutter to complete the significant systems overhaul.

The crew of the USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) deliver essential supplies donated through a nonprofit foundation and coordinated with the U.S. Embassy in Kolonia to Kapingamarangi Atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia on Sept. 15, 2025.

The crew of the USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) and members of the Federated States of Micronesia National Police - Maritime Wing take a moment for a team photo at the pier in Pohnpei, FSM on Sept. 17, 2025, to ensure compliance with applicable laws and fisheries regulations.

Department of War officials, local government, and federal agencies meet for a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Stakeholders Meeting in Saipan, Sept. 25.

Commander, Joint Task Force - Micronesia U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Josh Lasky, center, speaks with participants following the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Stakeholders Meeting in Saipan, Sept. 25.

U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Spencer Bull, Region Officer in Charge of Construction director for Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Oceania, speaks to Tinian community members during an outreach meeting, Sept. 25.

The USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) crew transits off Rota, CNMI, on Aug. 27, 2025.

The USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) and USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) cross paths on Sept 1, 2025, off Guam.

The USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) crew approaches Guam after conducting a transit to Rota and back with senior leaders aboard on Aug. 27, 2025.

The USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) recovers the small boat after visiting to Rota on Aug. 27, 2025.

USS Topeka Gets Underway with Friends and Family

21 December 2015

From Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alana Langdon

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SANTA RITA, Guam -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Topeka (SSN 754) welcomed more than 30 friends and family members for two one-day tiger cruises, Dec. 16 and 17.

Guests aboard Topeka toured the submarine with their respective Sailors and got hands-on education and experience operating equipment.

"My son drives the submarine," said Lisa Simpson with a big smile, mother of Topeka Sailor Electronics Technician (Radioman) 3rd Class Mitch Leonard. "It was amazing to see and experience what he does. It means everything to me."

Topeka hosted the tiger cruise to give friends and families the opportunity to understand what their submariners do and why being forward-ready is so important to national security.

"Friends and family are Sailors' biggest supporters and that's why dependent cruises are so important," said Cmdr. Dave Lammers, commanding officer of Topeka. "We want to take this opportunity to show them our appreciation and help them understand how important our mission is to national security."

Guests had the opportunity to operate periscopes, take soundings, perform lookout duties on the bridge, inspect torpedo tubes, shoot water slugs, see how oxygen is supplied underway and don emergency reaction equipment.

Cruise members could present a Submarine Qualification Card to a qualified Sailor and earn a signature once they received proper training and showed understanding of the equipment. If guests earned all of the signatures required on their qualification card, they were awarded an Honorary Submariner Certificate signed by the commanding officer.

"I can see how finishing all of those qualifications could be a big stress; I had to run around to get all those signatures," said Sarah Rau, mother of three and wife to Sonar Technician 1st Class Eric Rau. "Coming on this underway and seeing what he does gives me more respect and understanding for the mental fortitude it takes to get through a deployment. I think it even makes us a stronger couple."

Topeka, forward deployed to the island of Guam, is third ship to carry the name of the city in Kansas. She is the fourth ship of the improved Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarines and is 360 feet long and 6,900 tons. Her mission is to project sea power in support of naval, joint and combined operations.

For more news from U.S. Naval Forces, Marianas, visit www.navy.mil/local/guam

JTF - Micronesia News

USS Topeka Gets Underway with Friends and Family

From Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alana Langdon