USINDOPACOM Commander Travels to Australia

20 February 2025

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, travels to Australia to build upon the U.S.-Australia Alliance, Feb. 17-20, 2025.

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Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, left, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Australian Vice Adm. Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations, speak with staff and students from the Australian War College in Canberra, Australia, Feb. 20, 2025. The Australian War College is part of Australian Defence College, the strategic provider of joint professional military education and individual training for the Australian Defence Force. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

SLIDESHOW | images | 250220-N-PC065-1102 Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, left, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Australian Vice Adm. Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations, speak with staff and students from the Australian War College in Canberra, Australia, Feb. 20, 2025. The Australian War College is part of Australian Defence College, the strategic provider of joint professional military education and individual training for the Australian Defence Force. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, participates in an honors ceremony hosted by Australian Chief of Defence Force Adm. David Johnston at the Australian Defence Force headquarters in Canberra, Feb. 19, 2025. Paparo’s visit built upon the U.S.-Australian bilateral relationship that acts as an anchor for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

SLIDESHOW | images | 250219-N-PC065-1211 Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, participates in an honors ceremony hosted by Australian Chief of Defence Force Adm. David Johnston at the Australian Defence Force headquarters in Canberra, Feb. 19, 2025. Paparo’s visit built upon the U.S.-Australian bilateral relationship that acts as an anchor for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, center, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Australian Chief of Defence Force Adm. David Johnston, left, and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Australia Erika Olson, right, participate in a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Feb. 18, 2025. The ceremony commemorates fallen members of the Australian armed forces. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

SLIDESHOW | images | USINDOPACOM Commander travels to Australia Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, center, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Australian Chief of Defence Force Adm. David Johnston, left, and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Australia Erika Olson, right, participate in a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, Feb. 18, 2025. The ceremony commemorates fallen members of the Australian armed forces. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Australia Erika Olson participate in a think tank discussion at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, Feb. 19, 2025. Paparo’s visit built upon the U.S.-Australian bilateral relationship that acts as an anchor for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

SLIDESHOW | images | 250219-N-PC065-4088 Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Australia Erika Olson participate in a think tank discussion at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australia, Feb. 19, 2025. Paparo’s visit built upon the U.S.-Australian bilateral relationship that acts as an anchor for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)

Paparo met with senior government and military leaders to include Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Richard Marles, Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Minister for Defence for Industry and Capability Delivery Pat Conroy, Secretary of the Department of Defence Greg Moriarty, Chief of Defence Force Adm. David Johnston, Chief of Joint Operations Vice Adm. Justin Jones, Chief of the Australian Navy Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, Director-General of the Australian Submarine Agency Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead, Director-General of the Australian Signals Directorate Abigail Bradshaw and U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to Australia Erika Olson.

Topics of discussion included continued modernization of Australia’s defense force, expansion of training opportunities such as Marine Rotational Force-Darwin and Talisman Sabre, and the deterrence of regional threats across the full spectrum of domains.

Paparo engaged in a think tank discussion at the National Security College, within the Australian National University, where topics included threat assessments for the Indo-Pacific region and how the U.S. and Australia use strategic posture as a means of deterrence.

He also met with students and staff at the Australian War College to provide personalized insights on professional military education and leadership. He emphasized the important role the students will have in future advancements of the U.S.-Australia bilateral relationship.

During his trip, Paparo participated in a Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial to commemorate fallen members of the Australian armed forces.

The U.S.-Australia Alliance is an anchor for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world. Increased cooperation and military integration have further deepened the strong bilateral relationship and advance both countries’ shared interest in maintaining freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea.

USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, prevailing in conflict.