WASHINGTON -- Dr. Mark T. Esper became the 27th defense secretary Tuesday during an early evening White House swearing-in ceremony.Earlier in the day, by a 90-8 vote, the U.S. Senate confirmed Esper to serve in the office.Esper officially became the defense secretary when the president signed the...

CORAL SEA, QLD, Australia -- Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, is comprised of various units, task organized to accomplish the different missions the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is expected to be prepared for. One of the most versatile and dynamic capabilities that 2/1 offers...

CEBU, Philippines -- The Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) arrived in Cebu, Philippines for a port visit, July 22, 2019.While in Cebu, sailors aboard Patriot will participate in multiple cultural engagements and community service events.“The U.S. and Philippines share...

HONOLULU, Hawaii -- On behalf of the Pacific Search and Rescue Steering Committee, the United States is hosting delegations from more than 15 countries this week in Honolulu to discuss search and rescue throughout the region at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies."When we...

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON --From humble beginnings across the southwestern United States in 1919 to their dynamic presence in today’s global theater, on July 1, 2019, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson’s 3rd Wing celebrated 100 years of service.The 3rd’s lineage originated July 1, 1919, when the...

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION, Japan -- U.S. Marine Corps Col. Richard Fuerst, the commanding officer of Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, hosted a Sound of Freedom Campaign with Nagi Town representatives at MCAS Iwakuni, July 17, 2019.The campaign consisted of a tour throughout the air station to...

MANILA, Philippines -- U.S. and Philippine service members teamed up to unload and inventory ten M-107 .50 caliber sniper rifles at Camp Aguinaldo on July 17, 2019.Purchased by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), this delivery is part of a series of equipment transfers designed to strengthen...

AGANA, Guam -- More than 50 Sailors from Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen joined the local community and other branches of service to celebrate Guam’s 75th Liberation Day with a parade, July 21.Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 15 Sailors marched alongside the command’s submarine float while...

CORAL SEA, QLD, Australia -- From reinforcing an embassy besieged by hostile rioters to subduing an aggressive detainee, it is critical to have non-lethal means of dealing with the contingencies that the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit could face while embarked on the USS Wasp (LHD 1) as part of...

OMINATO, Japan -- The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), U.S. Navy and participants from the Indian Navy commenced Mine Warfare Exercise 2JA 2019 off the coast of northern Japan, July 18.Part of an annual exercise series with the U.S. Navy and JMSDF, joined again this year by forces from the...