21 August 2017 U.S. Forces Japan commander's Statement on the USS John S McCain SOUTH CHINA SEA -- The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) was involved in a collision with the merchant vessel Alnic MC while underway east of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore on Aug. 21.There are currently 10 Sailors missing and five injured. Four of the injured were medically...
21 August 2017 Exercise to Strengthen Efforts in Defense of South Korea, Mattis Says WASHINGTON -- A joint U.S.-South Korean computer-simulated defensive exercise set to kick off tomorrow is meant to strengthen joint efforts for the defense of South Korea, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said, Aug. 20, 2017.Ulchi Freedom Guardian, which runs to Aug. 31, is focusing on command post...
21 August 2017 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit Completes Certification Exercise, Certified as Fully Capable SHOALWATER BAY, QLD, AUSTRALIA -- Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit completed the twice annual Certification Exercise (CERTEX), Aug. 18, 2017, planning and accomplishing a rigorous series of missions at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Queensland, Australia.CERTEX is the last...
21 August 2017 Draughon Range Expands Joint, Bilateral Training Limits MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- The Draughon Range is to Team Misawa as Mount Hakkoda is to avid skiers; this expansive plot of land provides the ultimate training ground to an array of service members working to improve their skills in Northern Japan.The 35th Operations Group Draughon Range personnel...
18 August 2017 32-Year Legacy: How Goals Propelled Naval Officer from Ensign to Admiral CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii — Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery retired from the U.S. Navy after 32 years of honorable naval service August 18. Friends and family of Montgomery gathered for a retirement ceremony aboard the Battleship Missouri Memorial to bid him fair winds and following seas. Montgomery has...
18 August 2017 Mattis, Tillerson Co-Host U.S.-Japan Security Consultative Committee Meeting WASHINGTON -- Each nation gains security in concert with other nations, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said today at a meeting that he and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson hosted with their Japanese counterparts at the State Department.Mattis and Tillerson were hosts to Japanese Foreign Minister Taro...
18 August 2017 USS San Diego Arrives In Phuket, Thailand PHUKET, THAILAND -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) arrived in Phuket, Thailand as part of a routine visit during San Diego's deployment and for the crew to have an opportunity to experience Phuket, Aug. 17.After recently completing a successful visit to Cam Ranh...
18 August 2017 8th Fighter Wing Conducts Training Day KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The 8th Civil Engineer Squadron Readiness and Emergency Management Flight hosted a wing training day that focused on Ability to Survive and Operate training at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Aug. 18, 2017.During the training, Airmen rotated through six...
18 August 2017 Recent Events Strengthen US-New Zealand Navy Relationship DEVONPORT NAVAL BASE, New Zealand -- The importance of building and maintaining strong regional relationships between navies was emphasized by the United States Commander Pacific Fleet, Admiral Scott Swift, when he visited the Devonport Naval Base today.Admiral Swift was a keynote speaker at the...
18 August 2017 Mattis Congratulates South Korea's New Defense Minister WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Jim Mattis spoke by phone yesterday with South Korean Defense Minister Song Young-moo to congratulate him on his confirmation for the position and to discuss a range issues related to the U.S.-South Korean alliance, chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said in a...