PEARL HARBOR -- U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo hosted a trilateral engagement with the chiefs of navies from Australia and Japan in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Feb. 21-22.

U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo hosted a trilateral engagement with the chiefs of navies from Australia and Japan in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Feb. 21-22.

Paparo welcomed Royal Australia Navy Chief of Navy Vice Adm. Michael Noonan and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Chief of Staff Adm. Hiroshi Yamamura for a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial and discussions on the current operational environment.

The leaders reaffirmed the increasing interoperability and strong bonds between their navies and underscored the importance of alliances and partnership for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific.

As Pacific nations, Australia, Japan and the U.S. maritime forces remain committed to strengthening interoperability with like-minded regional partners to ensure security, stability and sustainability of the seas.

The leaders met in preparation of the upcoming Indian Navy-led multilateral exercise Milan 2022.