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LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility map
Organization Chart
USINDOPACOM Previous Commanders
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
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MEDIA
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Press Releases and Readouts
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Freedom of Information Act
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JTF-MICRONESIA
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JTF - RED HILL
Cope Angel 2025: U.S and Japan sharpen search and rescue skills
Cope Angel 2025: U.S and Japan sharpen search and rescue skills
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3/12 Executes a HIMARS Dry-Fire Training at Camp Fuji
3/12 Executes a HIMARS Dry-Fire Training at Camp Fuji
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Mine Matters
Mine Matters
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USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
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USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operation
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operation
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USS John Finn departs Yokosuka
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Salaknib 25 | Operation Maneuver
Salaknib 25 | Operation Maneuver
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USS George Washington conducts flight operations in Philippine Sea
USS George Washington conducts flight operations in Philippine Sea
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U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
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31st MEU | Live-fire deck shoot aboard USS San Diego
31st MEU | Live-fire deck shoot aboard USS San Diego
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George Washington Conducts Helicopter Operations
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Khaan Quest kicks off with an opening ceremony
Khaan Quest kicks off with an opening ceremony
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USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returns to Naval Base Guam
USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returns to Naval Base Guam
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USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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31st MEU | F-35B Lightning IIs conduct rapid flight operations
31st MEU | F-35B Lightning IIs conduct rapid flight operations
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Sailors man the rails aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor
Sailors man the rails aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor
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Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
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KAMANDAG 9: MRF-D 25.3 and PMC conduct a counter-landing live-fire defense
KAMANDAG 9: MRF-D 25.3 and PMC conduct a counter-landing live-fire defense
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Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane Performs joint flight operations with French Navy off the coast of Tahiti
Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane Performs joint flight operations with French Navy off the coast of Tahiti
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506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific
506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific
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Salaknib 25 | Final Assault
Salaknib 25 | Final Assault
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QUART: HMLA-369 Conducts Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
QUART: HMLA-369 Conducts Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
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MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, conduct raid with VMM-363 during Southern Jackaroo
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, conduct raid with VMM-363 during Southern Jackaroo
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QUART: CH53s Conduct Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
QUART: CH53s Conduct Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
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31st MEU | F-35B night flight operations
31st MEU | F-35B night flight operations
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MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, VMM-363 conduct air assault rehearsals during Predator’s Walk
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, VMM-363 conduct air assault rehearsals during Predator’s Walk
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Conducts Vertical Replenishment Training
Conducts Vertical Replenishment Training
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Activated Reserve Marines Conduct Live Fire MOUT during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct Live Fire MOUT during Korea Viper 25.4
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PACAF F-16 Demo Team conducts final flight after 30 years of enhancing U.S. relations worldwide
PACAF F-16 Demo Team conducts final flight after 30 years of enhancing U.S. relations worldwide
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KAMANDAG 9: VMM-364 Inserts Marines into Basco Island, Philippines
KAMANDAG 9: VMM-364 Inserts Marines into Basco Island, Philippines
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Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony
Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony
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KAMANDAG 9: 3d LCT conducts high explosive battle drills
KAMANDAG 9: 3d LCT conducts high explosive battle drills
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Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
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USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
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U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
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FF25: Blaze of Friendship
FF25: Blaze of Friendship
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Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
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Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
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U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
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31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
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F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
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USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
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EOD members conduct fast-rope ops onto USS Nimitz in South China Sea
EOD members conduct fast-rope ops onto USS Nimitz in South China Sea
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Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
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Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
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31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
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Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
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BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
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Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
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Balikatan 25: B Co. 3-25 exfils Gimlets
Balikatan 25: B Co. 3-25 exfils Gimlets
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BH 25-2: Kadena demonstrates Indo-Pacific readiness with joint elephant walk
BH 25-2: Kadena demonstrates Indo-Pacific readiness with joint elephant walk
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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U.S. Air Force participates in Freedom Flag 25-1
U.S. Air Force participates in Freedom Flag 25-1
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Nimitz Conducts Search and Rescue Training
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Balikatan 25: U.S., Philippine, Australian Forces Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
Balikatan 25: U.S., Philippine, Australian Forces Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
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PACOM Stories
FASTPAC, 31st MEU Reinforce Embassy during PHIBLEX 15
06 October 2014
From Lance Cpl. Robert Williams Jr.,
There are many challenges when operating in the Asia-Pacific region. Whether it is the destructive powers of nature or the effects of human conflict, thankfully there are forces in the region equipped to help stop the chaos.
The Philippine Air Force joined alongside U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team Pacific to conduct an embassy reinforcement and non-combatant evacuation operation during Amphibious Landing Exercise 15, Oct. 2, 2014.
“This exercise is run by the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and it tests the MEU on a host of [tasks] the MEU is required to do [in order] to conduct contingency operations,” said Lt. Colonel Tom Chalkley, the executive officer for the 31st MEU. “This exercise is a non-combatant evacuation operation in conjunction with an embassy reinforcement. In this scenario, the MEU has been called to reinforce a consulate and conduct a relief in place with the (FASTPAC) Marines.”
First to fight
FASTPAC Marines, specialized in close quarter tactics and equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry, were called to rapidly secure a mock embassy on Clark Air Base, Philippines. They began their mission from Yokosuka, Japan, were they are forward deployed to respond to contingencies in the Asia-Pacific region.
“What we do is basically turn this place into a [secure environment],” said Lance Cpl. Jorge Montforte, a designated rifleman with FASTPAC. “We lock it down, see where everything is, and stand post.”
Assessing the situation
After FASTPAC Marines secured the embassy, the Forward Command Element of the 31st MEU arrived to assess the conditions and coordinate a relief and place, according to Chalkley, the FCE officer in charge.
“What you see is Marine forces flowing ashore, taking over security of the compound and preparing American citizens for evacuation,” said Chalkley. “They will evacuate citizens via MEU assets to a safe haven, whether it’s an airport or back to amphibious shipping.”
Through the exercise, a simulated mob of rioters and protestors harassed the personnel at the embassy by throwing objects, attempting to penetrate the security and overrun the facility.
The Philippine Air Force sent in their forces to help control the ongoing disorder.
“We were here to make sure the aggressors don’t get in and to let them know this is a restricted area,” said Ednalyn Tenori, an airman in the Philippine Air Force. “The teamwork with the Marines was good.”
The Philippine forces used riot control methods to keep the mob at bay and keep embassy personnel safe until more help arrived.
Reinforcements
Marines with Company I, Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 31st MEU, embarked aboard the USS Peleliu, were flown via MV-22B Ospreys to reinforce the embassy and begin evacuation procedures.
It is these unique opportunities - working with different forces in unfamiliar environments such as in the ongoing exercises in the Philippines - that enhance the 31st MEU’s ability to rapidly respond to any contingency, said Chalkley.
“It’s something new and there is always a surprise around the corner,” said Chalkley. “It’s not like going out to your backyard training area.”
PHIBLEX is an annual, bilateral training exercise conducted by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines alongside U.S Marine and Navy Forces focused on strengthening the partnership and relationships between the two nations across a range of military operations including disaster relief and complex expeditionary operations.
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