CAMP HANSEN, Okinawa, Japan -- The Marines and Sailors of 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, joined the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) in Okinawa, Japan, May 21, 2018. This is the second time that the battalion has been the Ground Combat Element (GCE) of the 31st MEU within the last two...

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- The Coast Guard assisted a distressed Canadian mariner to Hilo Sunday after his vessel began taking on water about 80 miles southeast of the Big Island."We're pleased this mariner is safe. The use of the emergency position indicating radio beacon allowed us to locate him quickly...

YOKOSUKA, Japan -- The forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) returned to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, May 17, after completing sea trials.The seven-day evolution measured the crew's ability to operate critical systems and perform underway operational evolutions...

U.S. Air Force Gen. Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) commander, visited Misawa Air Base, Japan, May 10 and 11, to highlight the strategic importance of the region and longstanding regional partnerships, the great strides PACAF has made, and the contributions of Misawa Airmen and...

With the agreement of the Government of Vietnam, the Pacific Partnership Program 2018 (PP18) kicked off in Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam on May 17, 2018, with the participation of U.S. Navy’s logistic ships USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) and USNS Brunswick, and Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force JDS Osumi. ...

After 12 days of training, approximately eight thousand service members from the U.S. military and Armed Forces of the Philippines completed this year’s Exercise Balikatan, resulting in increased interoperability and improved military skills.Balikatan, in its 34th iteration, focused on...

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- Adm. John C. Aquilino will assume command of U.S. Pacific Fleet from Adm. Scott H. Swift, Thursday, May 17, at 10 a.m. in a change-of-command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam’s Kilo Pier.The world’s largest fleet command, the U.S. Pacific Fleet encompasses 100...

NHA TRANG, Vietnam -- Service members and partner nation personnel participating in Pacific Partnership 2018 aboard the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), arrived in Nha Trang, May 17.The mission in Nha Trang will continue through June 2 and feature U.S. and partner nation personnel working...

Philippines -- U.S. and Philippine military underwater construction teams (UCT) partnered for an exchange of techniques and procedures during the 34th iteration of the annual Exercise Balikatan at Naval Base Camilo Osias, May 7-18, 2018.The exercise between the combined UCT units serves as a way to...

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- A secluded table of Airmen in a corner of a ballroom on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni bellows with laughter as the Pacific Air Forces’ F-16 Fighting Falcon Demonstration Team shares memories after a long day of air show performances. Quickly, these...