YOKOHAMA, Japan -- Today, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday met with New Zealand Chief of the Navy Rear Adm. David Proctor in Yokohama, Japan, as part of his trip to the Indo-Pacific region to attend the International Fleet Review and Western Pacific Naval Symposium.

The two leaders discussed security challenges and humanitarian missions in the region, as well as the importance of New Zealand as a strategic partner. They both expressed solidarity and a shared commitment to the international rules based order.

The U.S. and Royal New Zealand Navies regularly operate together. Notably, both navies participated in this year’s Rim of the Pacific and Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) exercises, as well as supported numerous other multilateral operations.

Gilday and Proctor last met in September 2021 at the International Seapower Symposium in Newport, Rhode Island.