YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/ Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 welcomes the first Chaplains to be permanently embarked aboard U.S. Navy destroyers, December 2021.Between 2021 and 2023 CTF 71 will be assigned 8 chaplains, one for each destroyer in DESRON 15.“Our new chaplains will...

WASHINGTON -- Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Dr. Ely Ratner, and Deputy Secretary for Defence Policy and Planning, Michael Swain, met virtually to conduct the 8th annual United States – New Zealand Defense Policy Dialogue, December 15 (Washington) and December 16...

HACHINOHE, Japan -- The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114), is underway supporting U.S. Marines and members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) as part of Resolute Dragon, Dec. 15.The exercise is taking place across multiple locations across Japan...

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- F-35A Lightning IIs conducted a Forward Area Refueling Point (FARP) operation with Airmen from the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron and the 1st Special Operations Squadron during Operation Iron Dagger on Dec. 7, 2021, at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni,...

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The 374th Airlift Wing stationed at Yokota Air Base, Japan, alongside its allied nations and partners participated in the 70th Anniversary of Operation Christmas Drop (OCD) starting Dec. 5.With roots dating back to 1952, OCD is the longest-running Department of...

FIJI, SUVA, U.S. Embassy in Fiji, Kiribati, Naura, Tonga, and Tuvalu -- The U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Tony Greubel donated approximately FJ$745,000 (US $350,000) in supplies to the Government of Fiji in a handover ceremony at the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ Pharmaceutical and...

JAKARTA, U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia -- Secretary Blinken: Let me just speak very briefly to what we just did, the agreements that we just signed. I think they illustrate the work that we’re doing together, and it was really an honor to be able to do that. We are taking steps, we’re...

JAKARTA, U.S. Embassy in Indonesia -- Speech by Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State:MS KUSUMAYATI: Excellency, ambassadors, ASEAN Secretary General, Honorable Rector of Universitas Indonesia, and the chairperson of the U.S.-Indonesia Board of Trustees, distinguished guests, ladies and...

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs from the 354th Fighter Wing (FW), Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, December 3, to execute Operation Iron Dagger.Their arrival signals the continuing effort to support the...

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter William Hart completed its 39 day patrol over 7,000 nautical miles in Oceania in support of the Coast Guard’s Operation Blue Pacific, last week.Operation Blue Pacific is an overarching multi-mission Coast Guard endeavor promoting security,...