17 November 2021 Commander of Marine Forces Pacific Visits Republic of Palau KOROR, Republic of Palau – The commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) met with the Marines and Sailors of Task Force Koa Moana 21 during a visit to the Republic of Palau Nov. 5-8, 2021.U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, commander, MARFORPAC, visited the Marines and...
17 November 2021 China Remains 'Pacing Challenge' for U.S., Pentagon Press Secretary Says WASHINGTON -- The secretary of defense believes that China is a pacing challenge for the Defense Department, the Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said during a news conference today.Although China is developing capabilities that could potentially threaten the security and stability of...
17 November 2021 P-26 Tridents Find Small Craft Lost at Sea ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- On Nov. 11, crewmembers assigned to the “Tridents” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 26 rescued six mariners from the Federated States of Micronesia whose vessel was adrift in the South Pacific for eight days without power.The 23-foot skiff was first reported missing Nov. 3...
17 November 2021 U.S. 2021 APEC Outcomes U.S. Embassy in Malaysia -- The United States congratulates New Zealand for hosting a successful APEC year during the ongoing economic and health challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout an entirely virtual APEC year, the United States sought to work with APEC economies to build a...
16 November 2021 Expeditionary Fast Transport Ship Supports Bilateral Exercise with Indonesia JAVA SEA -- Military Sealift Command’s Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Millinocket (T-EPF 3) took part in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Indonesia, in the Java Sea, Nov. 6.The annual bilateral exercise included the full spectrum of naval capabilities and features...
16 November 2021 Defense Secretary Has Authority to Order Mandatory COVID-19 Shots WASHINGTON -- The secretary of defense has the authority needed to order all members of the military – including the National Guard – to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said during a news conference today.The mandate to get the vaccines is a readiness issue,...
16 November 2021 U.S. Donates Drug Detection Equipment to Philippine Coast Guard K9 Force MANILA, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines -- The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) recently donated drug detection and analysis equipment valued at more than Php3.5 million ($70,000) to the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) K9 Force in...
16 November 2021 Diplomacy Is Critical to Denuclearization of Korean Peninsula, DOD Official Says WASHINGTON -- The way to the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula lies in exploring diplomacy with North Korea in a calibrated approach, a Defense Department official said today.Richard C. Johnson, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for countering weapons of mass destruction and...
16 November 2021 U.S. Donates 18 Freezer Trucks for COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery in Bangladesh DHAKA, U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh -- The U.S. Embassy’s Acting Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) William Dowers and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Kathryn Stevens handed over brand new freezer trucks to Minister of Health and Family Welfare Zahid Maleque, MP as part...
16 November 2021 Readout: Pacific Fleet Commander's Travel to Japan PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo met with Japanese government officials during a visit to Tokyo Nov. 9 to reaffirm the strong and long-standing U.S.-Japan Alliance.Paparo met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director-General Ichikawa Keiichi and Japan Maritime...