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Meink wraps Indo-Pacific visit, emphasizes alliances, integrated readiness

06 August 2025
SecAF Meink concluded a multi-nation visit to the Indo-Pacific region, where he met with senior defense officials, observed multinational training and visited with Airmen and Guardians supporting Department-Level Exercise 2025.

Secretary of the Air Force Troy E. Meink concluded a multi-nation visit to the Indo-Pacific region, where he met with senior defense officials, observed multinational training and visited with Airmen and Guardians supporting Department-Level Exercise 2025.

The trip included stops in Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, Japan and Alaska reinforcing the Department of the Air Force’s commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and operating alongside allies and partners to maintain peace and stability.

“The Department of the Air Force remains committed to maintaining readiness alongside our allies and partners in the region to uphold stability in the Indo-Pacific,” Meink said. “This visit reaffirmed the vital role our Airmen, Guardians and international partners play in executing integrated operations and maintaining credible deterrence against our adversaries.”

During the visit, Meink observed operations in support of Department-Level Exercise 2025, a first-in-a-generation training series designed to demonstrate the ability to conduct distributed operations at speed and scale. The exercise involved more than 400 aircraft and 12,000 participants across 50 locations in the Indo-Pacific.

“DLE 2025 showcases how we can integrate and operate as a coalition across all domains,” Meink said. “The ability of our forces to deploy, sustain and operate in contested environments alongside partners is key to our shared security.”

In bilateral engagements with defense leaders in the Philippines and Japan, Meink emphasized the importance of deepening defense ties and advancing multilateral coordination across the Indo-Pacific. Discussions included enhancing joint interoperability, regional deterrence and shared efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.

“We’re building a force ready for tomorrow’s challenges—one that’s forward-postured, connected with allies and able to respond decisively,” Meink said.

Throughout the trip, Meink met with Airmen and Guardians stationed and deployed across the region, thanking them for their service and reinforcing the Department’s focus on warfighting readiness and integrated operations.

“Our people are the foundation of our strength,” Meink said. “It was an honor to speak with the Airmen and Guardians driving the mission forward across the region.”

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and U.S. Air Force Col. Lisa Mabbutt, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and 673rd Air Base Wing commander, discuss plans for future construction projects.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and U.S. Air Force Col. Lisa Mabbutt, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson and 673rd Air Base Wing commander, discuss plans for future construction projects on JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, July 31, 2025. During the visit, Meink received a strategic overview of JB Elmendorf-Richardson’s mission and its role in advancing U.S. interests in the region as part of his first Indo-Pacific area tour as SecAF. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Owen Davies)
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink stands with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink stands with Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani after an engagement in Tokyo, Japan, July 31, 2025. During his bilateral meeting, Meink emphasized the importance of deepening defense ties and advancing multilateral coordination across the Indo-Pacific. Discussions included enhancing joint interoperability, regional deterrence and shared efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (Courtesy photo)
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink visits the Manila American Cemetery.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink visits the Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines, July 29, 2025. Meink traveled to the Indo-Pacific area of responsibility to reinforce international partnerships and meet with Airmen and Guardians in the region. (Courtesy photo)
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink is greeted by Philippine air force Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink is greeted by Philippine air force Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura outside of the Philippines Air Force Headquarters in Manila, Philippines, July 29, 2025. During his bilateral engagements, Meink emphasized the importance of deepening defense ties and advancing multilateral coordination across the Indo-Pacific. Discussions included enhancing joint interoperability, regional deterrence and shared efforts to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific. (Courtesy Photo)
U.S. Air Force Gen. Kevin Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, talks to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. William Parker, commanding general of 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink.
U.S. Air Force Gen. Kevin Schneider, Pacific Air Forces commander, talks to U.S. Army Brig. Gen. William Parker, commanding general of 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, and Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink, about the Guam Defense System at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, July 27, 2025. Meink’s visit is part of his first tour of the Indo-Pacific region as SecAF while learning more about the Air Force’s first-in-a-generation Department-Level Exercise series.
SecAF visits Yokota AB
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink speaks with Airmen from the 374th Communications Squadron about their efforts in aiding the 374th Airlift Wing’s Logistics Quick Reaction Force during his visit to Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 30, 2025. A Log QRF is a homegrown initiative enabling Yokota Airmen to perform agile airbase opening tasks usually consisting of aircrew, security, communications, command post and aerial port. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jacob Wood)
Airmen fly on a C-130J in Guam
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink looks out of the flight deck of a C-130J Super Hercules while flying over the Indo-Pacfic region during the U.S. Air Force's 2025 Department-Level Exercise series, July 28, 2025. Meink's trip to the Asia-Pacific region included Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, Japan, and Alaska, where he and the delegation visited Airmen and Guardians deployed and stationed throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including those participating in the DLE series, as well as he engaged with international senior leaders. The DLE series involves all Department of Defense branches, along with allied and partner forces, employing more than 400 joint and coalition aircraft and over 12,000 personnel across 50 locations and 3,000 miles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tyler McQuiston)

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