News

Exercise Balikatan 2024 kicks off with opening ceremony highlighting ironclad alliance
April 22, 2024 — Exercise Balikatan 2024, the largest annual bilateral exercise conducted between the Philippines and the U.S., commenced with an opening ceremony at Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters today... MORE

Philippine and U.S. government and military representatives conduct the “friendship way” handhold at the opening ceremony to commence Balikatan 24 at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, April 22, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences (U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Erica Stanke)

USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK launch
April 22, 2024 — We are aware of the ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or... MORE

Graphic intended for use as a placeholder for Statements and Press Releases without accompanying imagery.

Contact Front: 5th ANGLICO Trains for Crisis Response
April 19, 2024 — 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, is known for its fire support and liaison capabilities with joint, allied, and multinational forces whilst maintaining a myriad of combat and tactical air control party training for competition and conflict... MORE

A U.S. Marine with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, fires an M4 carbine during a Marine Corps Combat Marksmanship Program range as part of 2nd Brigade Platoon’s field exercise on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 14, 2024. CMP allows Marines to maintain weapon proficiency by engaging targets in a competitive environment with primary and secondary weapon systems. 5th ANGLICO Marines refined their shooting fundamentals through advanced marksmanship training, enhancing their lethality. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Staff Sgt. Manuel A. Serrano)

8th FW maintains aerial strength with interoperability planning
April 19, 2024 — As part of Korea Flying Training 2024 units across the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and the Republic of Korea Air Force participated in joint mission planning at Kunsan Air Base, ROK, April 15, 2024... MORE

U.S. Air Force Col. Mike McCarthy, 8th Operations Group commander, leads a mission planning brief as part of Korea Flying Training 2024 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 15, 2024. KFT 24 is an annual large-scale U.S. and ROKAF integration flying exercise designed to improve interoperability of combined and joint airpower execution, face-to-face combined mission planning, flying execution, and effective debriefing to train mission commanders and aircrew to operate and succeed in robust, complex scenarios. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jovan Banks)

VMM-268 Prepares for MRF-D Deployment
April 19, 2024 — Today, U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), departed Marine Corps Base Hawaii for Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in preparation for their upcoming deployment to the 13th annual iteration of Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) in Australia... MORE

An MV-22B Osprey attached to Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 268, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, departs Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay in preparation for Marine Rotational Force Darwin (MRF-D) , April 16, 2024. MRF-D is a deployment held in Australia that enhances capabilities and readiness of both of the United States Marine Corps and Australian Defense Force and continues to help strengthen the alliance between the two nations. VMM-268 will serve as the Aviation Combat Element for the upcoming iteration of MRF-D. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Blake Gonter)

U.S. Navy Aircraft Transits the Taiwan Strait
April 19, 2024 — A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on April 17 (local time)... MORE

U.S.-ROK SOF participate in routine Airborne training for KFT 24
April 19, 2024 — Approximately 200 U.S. and Republic of Korea special operations forces personnel participated in a static-line Airborne training operation today as part of Korea Flying Training 24, a combined ROK and U.S. exercise running April 12-26... MORE

A Republic of Korea CASA 235 deploys special operations forces during a static-line parachute jump over Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, April 18, 2024. Approximately 300 U.S. and Republic of Korea special operations forces personnel participated in a static-line Airborne training operation as part of Korea Flying Training 24, a combined ROK and U.S. exercise running April 12-26. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Eric Burks)

JBER supports expeditionary forces during major exercise
April 17, 2024 — The 673d Air Base Wing enhanced its ability to project forces in support of the 3rd Air Expeditionary Wing’s exercise Agile Reaper 24-1 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, April 1 through 17... MORE

U.S. Coast Guard conducts medical evacuation and delivers drought relief in Federated States of Micronesia
April 17, 2024 — Following a high-profile rescue of three mariners from Pikelot Atoll, the U.S. Coast Guard, operating through the USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) and coordinated by U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam with U.S. Embassy and USAID partners, continued their vital service in the Pacific by conducting a critical medical evacuation and delivering more than 15,000 lbs. of essential drought relief supplies to several island communities from April 9 – 13, 2024... MORE

The crew of USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) arrive to Woleai, Yap State, Federated States of Micronesia, on April 12, 2024, with an injured 9-year-old boy and his parents for further transport aboard a Pacific Mission Aviation flight to a higher level of medical care in Yap. Upon arriving to Satawal to deliver drought relief supplies in partnership with USAID and the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the U.S. Coast Guard crew was informed of the boy's injury sustained when he fell from a tree. The ship's EMT, Petty Officer 1st Class Joshua Pablo, consulted a U.S. Coast Guard flight surgeon who recommended the medevac and provided care throughout the more than 13-hour overnight transit. This effort showcases the humanitarian spirit and readiness of the U.S. Coast Guard to respond to emergent health concerns. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With People's Republic of China (PRC) Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun
April 16, 2024 — Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout... MORE

Philippine, U.S. Troops to Kick Off Exercise Balikatan 2024
April 16, 2024 — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S. military will conduct the 39th iteration of Balikatan, the largest annual bilateral training exercise between the two Allies, from April 22 to May 10... MORE

Philippine and U.S. service members pose for a photograph with barangay captains, religious leaders, San Fernando officials, La Union residents, San Agustin Elementary School faculty and staff, and students during a ‘Bundles of Joy’ event held before Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Agustin Elementary School in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines, April 13, 2024. The ‘Bundle of Joy’ delivery consisted of televisions, laptops, printers, and school supplies to improve the learning environment for students, staff, and San Agustin Elementary School faculty. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)

Tinian FOS serves as power projection platform during Exercise Agile Reaper 24-1
April 15, 2024 — The remote island of Tinian, located in the western Pacific Ocean, represents a vital chapter in military and world history. The island once was home to the U.S. military’s largest B-29 Superfortress fleet, which launched the two bombers carrying the atomic bombs “Little Boy” and “Fat Man” that brought an end to World War II in 1945. Today, the U.S. Air Force is employing the location for the next generation of air power projection... MORE

After delivering personnel and cargo in support of Exercise Agile Reaper 24-1, a C-130 Hercules from Yokota Air Base Japan, departs Tinian Forward Operating Site, Northern Mariana Islands, April 9, 2024. AR 24-1 is a 3rd Wing-initiated exercise that focuses on Agile Combat Employment and employs a hub-and-spoke concept of operations with Tinian FOS serving as one of the four disaggregated spokes working under the hub situated at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The exercise employs combat-representative roles and processes to deliberately target all participants as a training audience and stress the force’s capability to generate combat air power in an expeditious manner across the Indo-Pacific Region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Curt Beach)

Task Force 70, Carrier Strike Group 5 holds change of command
April 15, 2024 — Rear Adm. Pat Hannifin turned command of Task Force 70 and Carrier Strike Group 5 over to Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk during a ceremony at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka Friday morning, April 12... MORE

Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk salutes sideboys as he arrives to the Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70 and Carrier Strike Group 5 change of command ceremony at U.S. Fleet Activities Yokosuka, April 12. CTF 70 is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class James R. Mitchell)

US Army’s Mid-Range Capability makes its first deployment in the Philippines for Salaknib 24
April 15, 2024 — In a historic first, the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force successfully deployed the Mid-Range Capability (MRC) missile system to Northern Luzon, Philippines, on April 11, 2024, as part of Exercise Salaknib 24... MORE

Mid-Range Capability (MRC) Launcher from Charlie Battery, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force arrives as part of the capability’s first deployment into theater on Northern Luzon, Philippines, April 7, 2024.

Joint Readout on the Inaugural U.S.-Philippines 3+3 Meeting
April 12, 2024 — The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Philippines on the occasion of the inaugural U.S.-Philippines 3+3 Meeting... MORE

Japan, Republic of Korea, U.S. Navies Partner in Trilateral Maritime Exercise
April 12, 2024 — The U.S. Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), conducted a trilateral maritime exercise, reaffirming their commitment to bolstering regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacific, April 11... MORE

Ships assigned to the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Republic of Korea Navy with aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 sail in formation during a trilateral exercise, April 11, 2024. This trilateral exercise allowed maritime forces from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and U.S. to train together to enhance coordination on maritime domain awareness and other shared security interests. The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Tommy Gooley)

1st Marine Division Deploys to Philippines for Marine Exercise 2024
April 11, 2024 — Marines from the Philippine Marine Corps and the U.S. Marine Corps will conduct the second iteration of the Philippine Marine Exercise from April 8-19, 2024, at Camp Iranun, Mindanao, Philippines... MORE

PACAF team unveils innovative resilient energy source to enhance Agile Combat Employment
April 11, 2024 — A dynamic team of Air Force personnel stationed in the Indo-Pacific region unveiled an innovative solution known as Rays to Jet Power at the Logistics Officer Association symposium in St. Louis, Missouri, March 27... MORE

Joint Press Statement for the 24th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue
April 11, 2024 — The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Ministry of National Defense (MND) held the 24th Korea-U.S. Integrated Defense Dialogue (KIDD) on April 11, 2024 in Washington... MORE

USINDOPACOM Commander Travels to the Republic of Korea
April 11, 2024 — SEOUL, Republic of Korea – Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited the Republic of Korea from April 10-11, 2024, where he engaged with senior government and military... MORE