20 November 2019 Alaska Air National Guard Guardian Angel Section Supports Alaska’s Rescue Mission JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska — “Always sure,” said Alaska Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Ferdie Villaflores, 176th Operations Support Squadron (OSS) aircrew flight equipment (AFE) technician. “That is the motto we live by here in the Guardian Angel Section. The motto for the rescue...
20 November 2019 U.S. Secretary of Defense Visits the Philippines to Reaffirm Strong Bilateral Ties MANILA, Philippines -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper visited the Philippines for the first time as Defense Secretary to reaffirm the steadfast and enduring U.S. – Philippine alliance.While here, Secretary Esper and U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim met with Secretary of National...
19 November 2019 GEN. Paul J. LaCamera Assumes Command of U.S. Army Pacific FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- General Paul J. LaCamera took command of the more than 85,000 Soldiers of U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC), during an assumption of command ceremony, Nov. 18, 2019.GEN. LaCamera takes command of the largest Army Service Component Command that encompasses strategic locations in...
19 November 2019 USS Lake Erie Returns Home from Indo-Pacific Deployment SAN DIEGO, California -- The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), along with an embarked detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 “Monstars,” returned to its homeport of Naval Station San Diego, Nov. 18, following an independent deployment to the U.S...
19 November 2019 Team Kadena Conducts Exercise Gryphon Pacific KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The purpose of the Gryphon Pacific 20-1 was to exercise the 353rd Special Operations Group’s ability to employ lethal, agile, resilient forces throughout the United States Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. Airmen hailing from Kadena Air Base, Japan, and assigned to the...
19 November 2019 Readout of the Bilateral Engagement With Indonesia Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto U.S. Department of Defense -- Chief Pentagon Spokesperson Jonathan Hoffman provided the following readout:Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper met with Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia to discuss Indonesia's and the United States' shared interests and priorities, including commitment...
19 November 2019 Stratton in the Indo-Pacific: Traversing the New Center of Gravity PACIFIC OCEAN -- The lights are low. Green and blue pixels illuminate the faces of watch-standers in the Combat Information Center (CIC) aboard USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752). The six consoles sit in two rows of three with the watch facing the bow of the ship.This windowless room, with a secure door, is...
18 November 2019 Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Australian, US Navies Flex Mine Warfare Capabilities NICHINAN, Japan -- The U.S. Navy, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) will commence Mine Warfare Exercise 3JA 2019 off the coast of southwestern Japan, Nov. 18.USS Pioneer arrived in Nichinan, Japan, for the in-port phase where the crew will work with their...
18 November 2019 Submarine Rescue Exercise Pacific Reach Wraps Up in Australia ROCKINGHAM, Australia - The 10th triennial exercise Pacific Reach (PACREACH) concluded in Western Australia with closing ceremony at Fleet Base West, Nov. 15.PACREACH aims to ensure interoperability between the international submarine rescue community sponsored by the Asian Pacific Submarine...
18 November 2019 Andersen AFB to Host 68th Annual Operation Christmas Drop ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- The 68th iteration of Operation Christmas Drop is set to take to the Pacific skies, Dec. 9 hosted by the 36th Wing.The Department of Defense’s longest recurring humanitarian mission is a long-standing annual tradition of packaging and delivering food, tools and toys...