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LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility
USPACOM Previous Commanders
Organization Chart
Women, Peace and Security
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
MEDIA
NEWS
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Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
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JTF-MICRONESIA
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JTF-Micronesia - news
JTF - RED HILL
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
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
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
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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Staging
Staging
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MQ-9 maintainers, planners integrate during Freedom Flag 25-1
MQ-9 maintainers, planners integrate during Freedom Flag 25-1
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MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
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Balikatan 25: 353rd SOW, Philippine Special Forces Regiment conduct static line jump training
Balikatan 25: 353rd SOW, Philippine Special Forces Regiment conduct static line jump training
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Australia, Philippines, and U.S. Conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
Australia, Philippines, and U.S. Conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
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Balikatan 25: MADIS initial live fire drill
Balikatan 25: MADIS initial live fire drill
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MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
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Balikatan 25: Marines deploy NMESIS to Basco
Balikatan 25: Marines deploy NMESIS to Basco
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Balikatan 25: JOTC Completes HELOCAST Insertion Training
Balikatan 25: JOTC Completes HELOCAST Insertion Training
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Balikatan 25: MRF – D 25.3, ADF conduct air insert into Rizal
Balikatan 25: MRF – D 25.3, ADF conduct air insert into Rizal
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Night Shoot | Marines participate in a Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course
Night Shoot | Marines participate in a Combat Marksmanship Coaches Course
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MASS-2 recovers tactical vehicle in rain
MASS-2 recovers tactical vehicle in rain
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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B-1B Lancers arrive at Japan for BTF 25-2 Deployment
B-1B Lancers arrive at Japan for BTF 25-2 Deployment
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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ROK, US forces showcase airpower ahead of Freedom Flag 25-1
ROK, US forces showcase airpower ahead of Freedom Flag 25-1
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Balikatan 25: 317th AW delivers varsity airlift to the Indo-Pacific
Balikatan 25: 317th AW delivers varsity airlift to the Indo-Pacific
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31st MEU | Fast Rope Sustainment
31st MEU | Fast Rope Sustainment
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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
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US Airmen deploy in support of first Bomber Task Force mission to Japan
US Airmen deploy in support of first Bomber Task Force mission to Japan
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31st MEU | Jungle Field Exercise
31st MEU | Jungle Field Exercise
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USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) conducts flight operations in the Coral Sea
USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) conducts flight operations in the Coral Sea
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B-1s train with ROKAF, conduct flyover
B-1s train with ROKAF, conduct flyover
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Philippine and U.S. Soldiers Enhance Interoperability in Jungle Tracking Course
Philippine and U.S. Soldiers Enhance Interoperability in Jungle Tracking Course
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U.S., Indian joint forces conduct large-scale amphibious landing drill during Exercise Tiger Triumph 2025
U.S., Indian joint forces conduct large-scale amphibious landing drill during Exercise Tiger Triumph 2025
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Abraham Lincoln conducts flight operations
Abraham Lincoln conducts flight operations
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>>>
PACOM Stories
Further, Faster with More: Special Forces Appreciates Osprey's Capabilities
29 May 2015
From Mr. Richard L Rzepka (USAG Okinawa)
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Among the first special operators to commence the opening salvo against terrorists in Afghanistan, Oct. 19, 2001, were Green Berets, from the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, whose motto, "First in Asia," is particularly apt.
Since then, these professional Soldiers have been consistently engaged in the war on terrorism in areas throughout the globe. Their headgear, as distinctive as their mission-set, was hailed as "a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom," by President John F. Kennedy, who was a proponent of the unconventional style of warfare, which would define these artisans of war.
One commonality, of these professionals, is a penchant for jumping out of a perfectly good airplane - or a helicopter - or both.
Recently, a group of U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers partnered with Marine Corps aviators on Okinawa to conduct static line and military-freefall parachute operations from MV-22 Osprey military aircraft using the drop zone on Ie Shima island.
The Osprey, a tilt-rotor aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, is one part whirly bird and one part turboprop, which makes getting there first, the fastest, and with more, a breeze.
"MV-22s conduct missions that normally require both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft," said Maj. Pat, a Green Beret commander, whose last name has been omitted due to operational security. "With its one-of-a-kind combination of speed, range and operational flexibility, it gives special operations an advantage no other fighting force in the world can employ," he said.
The MV-22 Osprey is prevalent throughout many areas of responsibility and being familiar with the aircraft and its operational capabilities allows the Green Berets of 1st Battalion to not only feel more comfortable with the aircraft, but the Marines, who pilot it as well - allowing for seamless interoperability between the two forces.
The Department of Defense announced, May 11, plans to station a special operations squadron of CV-22 Osprey aircraft on Yokota Air Base, Japan.
The deployment of tilt-rotor aircraft will provide increased capability for U.S. special operations forces to respond quickly to crises and contingencies in Japan and throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including humanitarian crises and natural disasters, according to a news release.
"The CV-22 Osprey is a highly-advanced aircraft with unique capabilities and an excellent operational safety record. The deployment reflects the United States' steadfast commitment to defend Japan and to station its most advanced capabilities forward as part of the Asia-Pacific rebalance."
"As an Army ground unit, we routinely rely on other services to provide capabilities for us that we do not have organically … it is routine for us to work with the Air Force, Navy and Marines not only for airlift support but also for Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Joint Tactical Air Controllers and maritime support," Maj. Pat said. "Special operation forces are usually part of joint headquarters when forward deployed, which also provides us the opportunity to work with our sister services. Being on Okinawa makes forging these relationships fairly easy since we are all in close proximity to each other and work together often."
The "First in Asia" Battalion came to be a part of the military community on Okinawa in March 1984, when the need for special operations forces in the Pacific again became apparent. For more than 30 years, it has been a staple of U.S. forces on the island, which offers an unrivaled training environment to the operators.
"Training on Okinawa allows us to train in Asia-specific terrain on world-class facilities and work closely with our incredible Japanese partners," Maj. Pat said. "The terrain and opportunities that Okinawa provides are unmatched throughout Asia and make for an incredible platform to train."
As special forces Soldiers, being able to appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of various cultures is an attribute that is critical to operating on foreign soil.
"[1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group] has a long history on Okinawa and enjoys being part of the community," Maj. Pat said. "Some of our elements recently conducted a tour of the Ryukyu's for cultural familiarization … respect is one of the Army core values and as special forces operators we pride ourselves on adapting to new cultures and environments. Our experiences in Okinawa are no different."
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