U.S. Indo-Pacific Command > Media

U.S. Army Soldiers in Japan Offer Expertise during Shizoka Prefecture Comprehensive Disaster Drill
September 19, 2016 — KAKEGAWA, Japan - Swirling sand obscures the sunlit sky as a UH-1 "Huey" helicopter touches down on a freshly cut baseball field. Mere moments pass before the Huey's Japan Ground Self-Defense Force... MORE

Army Maj. Donald Kim (left), U.S. Army liaison officer for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Eastern Army and Central Readiness Force, and JGSDF Sgt. 1st Class Yamanashi Yoshihiro (right), escort noncommissioned officer-in-charge, 2nd Company, 34th Infantry Regiment, JGSDF Eastern Army, finalize the route for a vehicle convoy Sep. 4, 2016, in Kakegawa, Japan. The U.S. Army and JGSDF bilateral convoy simulated a humanitarian relief mission as part of the Shizuoka Prefecture Comprehensive Disaster Drill. The drill demonstrated how a diverse collection of local, regional, national and international organizations can pool their respective resources to effectively respond to a major disaster. In addition to coordinating convoy routes, the contingent of U.S. Army troops collaborated with their JGSDF counterparts to provide casualty care, establish mobile communication site and set up supply distribution points.

Rotational Force Darwin Marines Learn to Lead from the Frontlines
September 19, 2016 — ROBERTSON BARRACKS, NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia -- “Hurry up, make the call, what’s your call, give me something!” In combat, bullets fly all around, casualties fall to the floor and exhaustion... MORE

U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, and Australian soldiers with 5th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, conduct a casualty evacuation drill during the Frontline Leaders Course at Robertson Barracks, Northern Territory, Australia, Sept. 10, 2016. The course is intended to be an addition to the Marine Corps Lance Corporal’s Seminar, Corporal's Course, and Sergeant's Course. The course instills knowledge and leadership skills to positively impact those under their charge and the future of the Marine Corps. 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, created the course and this will be the first time the course has been officially conducted.

Air Force Surgeon General Visits Osan Medical Facilities
September 19, 2016 — OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The Air Force Surgeon General and top chief master sergeant medic visited the Osan 51st Medical Group to observe the progress and challenges of AF military... MORE

Lt. Gen. (Dr.) Mark A. Ediger, Surgeon General of the Air Force, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C., practices contingency medical procedures with 51st Medical Group Airmen Sept. 14, 2016, at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea. Ediger toured various medical facilities within the group to observe the progress and challenges of AF military treatment facilities.

Republic of Korea Partners with Deep U.S. Ties during Ulchi Freedom Guardian '16
September 19, 2016 — OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- The US military and the Republic of Korea (ROK) air force operate various missile defense systems to protect South Korea. To coordinate missile defense operations between... MORE

Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group begins Valiant Shield Exercise
September 16, 2016 — PHILIPPINE SEA -- The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHR ESG), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, began operations in support of the joint U.S. military exercise Valiant... MORE

This graphic depicts facts about the involvement of the USS Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group in Valiant Shield 2016. Valiant Shield 16 is a biennial, U.S.-only, field training exercise (FTX) with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces. Bonhomme Richard, flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, is participating in Valiant Shield in an effort to increase naval integration and joint capabilities in the event of conflict, contingency, or disaster relief.

Exercise Yudh Abhyas: 'Ghost Brigade' Soldiers begin Bilateral Training Exercise in India
September 16, 2016 — CHAUBATTIA MILITARY STATION, India – Soldiers with the U.S. Army‚ 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, and the Indian army’s 12 Madras, stood together Sept. 15,... MORE

An Indian soldier looks down the sight of a sniper rifle during a weapons demonstration held Sept. 15, 2016, at Chaubattia, India. The weapons demonstration was part of Yudh Abhyas, a bilateral training exercise geared toward enhancing cooperation and coordination between the two nations through training and cultural exchanges.

Pacific Air Force Civil Engineers Improve Airfield Repair Skills
September 16, 2016 — KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- Civil engineer squadrons from Kadena, Yokota and Misawa Air Bases teamed up here with the Air Force Civil Engineer Center to conduct training for the new Rapid... MORE

A joint team of U.S. Air Force Airmen from the Kadena, Yakota and Misawa civil engineer squadrons practice concrete screeding skills using the materials, equipment and methods to repair craters during airfield damage repair training exercise Sept, 15, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. This process can be done quickly in combat situations so airfield operations can resume.

Carter, New Japanese Defense Minister Discuss Changing Security Environment
September 16, 2016 — WASHINGTON -- Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada met at the Pentagon yesterday to discuss the rapidly evolving security environment, Pentagon Press Secretary Peter... MORE

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter and Japanese Minister of Defense Tomomi Inada observe the national anthem at the Pentagon, Sep. 15, 2016.

Joint Task Force Executes Quick Strike Mission En Route to Showcasing New Capability
September 16, 2016 — PACIFIC OCEAN, Guam – The U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force teamed up to unleash a new capability during Exercise Valiant Shield 2016, which debuted Sept. 13 in the Northern Marianas... MORE

U.S. Marine Corps aviation maintenance personnel with Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242, inspect an F/A-18D Hornet during Exercise Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Sept. 14, 2016. The inspection ensured there were no malfunctions with the aircraft while inflight. Valiant Shield is a biennial, U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps exercise held in Guam, focusing on real-world proficiency in sustaining joint forces at sea, in the air, on land and in cyberspace.

Pacific Partnership 2016 Returns to Hawaii
September 16, 2016 — PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Pacific Partnership 2016, embarked aboard hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) arrived in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility Sept. 15, en route to Hawaii for a brief stop... MORE

Indonesian Tug boat Milla Mulia SHS moored next to hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19), anchored off the coast of Padang, during Pacific Partnership 2016's fifth and final mission stop, Aug. 26, 2016. Partner nations are working side-by-side with local organizations during disaster response training, civil engineering projects, Women, Peace, and Security seminars, medical subject matter expert exchanges and a live field training exercise aimed at improving the capacity of local government, civilian agencies and partner militaries to collectively respond in crisis.

Valiant Shield 16: Aviation Ordnance Marines Make an Impact
September 15, 2016 — ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- Aviation ordnance technicians with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12 handled live munitions for operations during Exercise Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force... MORE

U.S. Aviation Ordnance Marines with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron12 prepare ordnance for aviation squadrons participating in Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, September 12, 2016. The ordnance constructed, provided the Marines of MALS-12 valuable experience assembling live ordnance to be used during VS16 for a sinking exercise. VS16 is a biennial U.S. only, field training exercise that focuses on joint training with U.S. Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to increase interoperability and working relationships.

Senior Korean Augmentation to the U.S. Army Play Important Role
September 15, 2016 — CAMP HOVEY, South Korea - When U.S. Soldiers relocate to South Korea, they encounter a group of Republic of Korea Army Soldiers who wear the U.S. Army combat uniform and share the same working and... MORE

Sgt. Sung-Pyo Hong, a senior Korean Augmentation to the United States Army Soldier from Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, shows Pvt. Yeon-Seok Kim, a new KATUSA to the company, how to fill out personnel records, Sept. 1, 2016, at the Republic of Korea Army Support Office at Camp Hovey. Kim has been assigned to the brigade's ROKA Support Office as a human resources specialist.

The Fourth Annual U.S.-Japan Cyber Dialogue
September 15, 2016 — The Internet connects us all, making cyber issues a common global challenge. We believe that if all nations are to benefit -- politically, economically, and socially from cyberspace -- then it must be... MORE

U.S., Republic of Korea Soldiers Showcase Partnership in Seoul
September 15, 2016 — CAMP HOVEY, South Korea - In an annual contest sponsored by the Republic of Korea Ministry of National Defense, U.S. and South Korean Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry... MORE

In this file, Pfc. Todd Vardy, a combat engineer in Company B, 91st Engineer Battalion, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, speaks about the importance of Korean Augmentees to the U.S. Army at the "2016 World Soldiers and Youth Security Vision Presentation Contest" July 19 in Seoul, South Korea.

When the Bark is as Scary as the Bite
September 15, 2016 — MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- As the largest career field in the Air Force, it is the job of security forces squadrons to protect and defend the base. However, the Airmen don’t do it alone as they rely... MORE

Valiant Shield: U.S. Forces Conclude Sink Exercise
September 14, 2016 — PACIFIC OCEAN -- Live fire from ships and aircraft participating in the Valiant Shield 2016 exercise sank the decommissioned USS Rentz (FFG 46) about 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, in waters 30,000 feet... MORE

U.S. Navy sailors of Patrol Squadron 46 load a P-3 Orion aircraft with AGM-65F MAVERICKS Air to Surface Missiles prior to a sinking exercise Sept. 13, 2016, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, during Valiant Shield 2016. SINKEX provided service members the opportunity to gain proficiency in tactics, targeting, and live firing against a surface target at sea. Valiant Shield is a biennial, U.S. -only field-training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces.

7th Fleet Promotes Peace, Security in Indo-Asia-Pacific Region
September 14, 2016 — YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Forward-deployed to support security and stability in the vast Indo-Asia-Pacific region, the U.S. 7th Fleet is involved in a wide array of activities in this critically important... MORE

In this file photo, the destroyer USS Preble approaches the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard for replenishment at sea, June 21, 2015. Bonhomme Richard is the lead ship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and was on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

Sink Exercise Conducted during Valiant Shield 2016
September 14, 2016 — PHILIPPINE SEA -- Live fire from ships and aircraft participating in Valiant Shield 2016 sank the decommissioned USS Rentz (FFG 46) in waters 30,000 feet deep and 117 nautical miles northeast of Guam... MORE

160913-N-PD309-102 PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 13, 2016) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) conducts a live fire of a harpoon missile as part of a sink exercise (SINKEX) during Valiant Shield 2016. Valiant Shield is a biennial, U.S. only, field-training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training among U.S. forces. This is the sixth exercise in the Valiant Shield series that began in 2006. Benfold is on patrol with Carrier Strike Group Five in the Philippine Sea supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

From Ship to Ship: Replenishment at Sea
September 14, 2016 — AT SEA -- Marines and Sailors with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group participated in a replenishment at sea in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 12, 2016.A... MORE

AT SEA -- The USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) refuels and receives supplies during a replenishment at sea in the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 12, 2016. During replenishments at sea, Navy MH-60S Seahawk helicopters ferry food and supplies from Navy supply ships to the ships of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. The 31st MEU is the Marine Corps’ only continuously forward-deployed Marine Air-Ground Task Force, and combines air-ground-logistics into a single team capable of addressing a range of military operations in the Asia-Pacific region – from force protection and maritime security to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in cooperation with host countries and partner militaries.

Seabees Volunteer Time with Local Japanese School
September 14, 2016 — MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- U.S. Navy Seabees volunteered their morning with the Marine Memorial Chapel on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and visited local Japanese children at Ekimae... MORE