News

U.S. and Japan Promote Collaboration on Infrastructure Development in the Philippines
March 29, 2016 — MANILA, Philippines -- Last week, the U.S. Embassy Manila’s Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Michael S. Klecheski joined U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce Arun Kumar; Deputy Minister Yasuki Kaibori... MORE

Joint Functional Component Command Integrated Missile Defense Helps Talon Soldiers Go Ballistic
March 29, 2016 — ANDERSEN AFB, Guam - "Who am I?" "Why am I here?" Philosophers and laymen alike have pondered these ancient, cosmic questions through the ages. Thanks to their attendance at a recent ballistic... MORE

New Commercial Flights Come to Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport
March 28, 2016 — IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport Use Promotion Council and distinguished guests celebrated the addition of two new flights to the facility, March 27, 2016. The celebration included an... MORE

An ANA flight lands on Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 25, 2016. On March 27, 2016, The Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport Use Promotion Council and distinguished guests celebrated the addition of two new flights to the Iwakuni Kintaikyo Airport, March 27, 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Jacob Farbo/Released)

Coast Guardsmen Seize 12,800 Pounds of Cocaine
March 28, 2016 — Editor’s Note: Media can speak with Capt. Laura Collins, commanding officer of Cutter Bertholf, and Vice Adm. Charles Ray, commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, about this interdiction during a press... MORE

US, Cambodian Forces Close Angkor Sentinel 2016, Celebrate Strengthened Partnership
March 28, 2016 — KAMPONG SPEU PROVINCE, Cambodia - U.S. and Cambodian forces wrapped up two weeks of bilateral training and relationship building, as they officially closed Angkor Sentinel 2016, with a ceremony and... MORE

(left to right)Ambassador William Headt, the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodian; Royal Cambodian Army Gen. Meas Sophea; and Maj. Gen. Todd McCaffrey, U.S. Army Pacific's Deputy Commander, troop the line to conclude the Angkor Sentinel 2016 closing ceremony March 25, 2016, at the Training School for Multinational Peacekeeping Forces in Kampong Speu Province, Cambodia. This year marked the seventh iteration of the annual bilateral military exercise hosted by the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and sponsored by the U.S. Army Pacific that’s designed to collectively strengthen the two countries’ humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities and improve military-to-military cooperation.

USS America Conducts Underway Replenishment
March 28, 2016 — PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) pulled alongside the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO-200), March 24, and conducted underway replenishment (UNREP) at... MORE

Blue Ridge Arrives in Sri Lanka, Forging New Ties
March 28, 2016 — COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and the embarked 7th Fleet staff arrived in Colombo for a port visit March 26.Blue Ridge will host a series of engagements with Sri... MORE

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (Mar. 28, 2016) Capt Kyle Higgins, commanding officer of USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) gives a tour to President Maithripala Sirisena of Sri Lanka aboard the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). Blue Ridge's port visit to Sri Lanka marks the first time a U.S. Navy ship has visited the country since 2011. (

Marines, Japanese Sniff Out Explosives
March 28, 2016 — WAKUNI, YAMAGUCHI, Japan -- Marines from the Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Provost Marshal’s Office K-9 unit trained with Hiroshima Prefectural Police Headquarters policemen and the Japan Maritime... MORE

Lance Cpl. Landon Gilliam, Provost Marshal’s Office military working dog handler with Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, embraces his K-9 during joint training held at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 22, 2016. Trained in a variety of areas such as locating explosives and narcotics and conducting patrols, handlers and their military working dogs train regularly in order to maintain operational readiness, become a more effective team and ensure the safety of station residents. U.S. and Japanese handlers escorted their K-9’s to locate explosives hidden throughout the station’s landfill and harbor areas. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Aaron Henson/Released)

Behind Scenes at Ssang Yong 16: Combat Logistics Battalion 31
March 28, 2016 — USS BONHOMME RICHARD -- Behind every operation a military unit conducts, there is a group of people that work behind the scenes to make everything happen. That group makes sure there are vehicles for... MORE

Japan Air Self-Defense Force Airmen Train with Team Kadena Firefighters
March 28, 2016 — KADENA AIR BASE, Japan - A 64-mile long, ten-mile wide island occupied by 1.4 million souls leaves zero margin for error with Japanese and U.S. aircraft in the event of an inflight emergency... MORE

USARPAC Deputy Commanding General Retires After 45 Years of Army Service
March 25, 2016 — FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii – Hawaii native, Maj. Gen. Gary Hara, U.S. Army Pacific Deputy Commanding General - National Guard was honored during a Flying "V" retirement ceremony held at historic Palm... MORE

U.S. Army Pacific Deputy Commanding General - National Guard, Maj. Gen. Gary Hara (center-right), receives his retirement award from Gen. Vincent Brooks (center-left), USARPAC Commanding General, during a Flying "V" ceremony held at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, March 23, 2016. The ceremony honored Hara's retirement after 47 years of service. He had been with USARPAC since 2013, during which time he operated as the Deputy Commanding General of the ARNG after USARPAC was elevated from a 3-star command to a 4-star command as part of the Asia-Pacific strategic rebalance. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chris McCullough, USARPAC Public Affairs)

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 'Werewolves' Join the Pack at MCAS Iwakuni
March 25, 2016 — MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122, from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina, arrived at MCAS Iwakuni, Japan, March 14, 2016.VMFA-122, also... MORE

An F/A-18C Hornet with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, sits on the flightline at Marine Corp Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, March 22, 2016. VMFA-122, also known as the “Werewolves,” arrived in Iwakuni March 14 from MCAS Beaufort, S. C. for a six month rotation with the unit deployment program. The Werewolves’ overall mission is to destroy surface targets and enemy aircraft day or night under all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint and combined operations.(U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nicole Zurbrugg/Released)

PACFLT Commander Talks Innovation at Tactical Advancements for the Next Generation Seminar
March 25, 2016 — PEARL HARBOR, Hawai'i -- Adm. Scott Swift, commander of U.S. Pacific Fleet, delivered a keynote speech at the closing of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Mission Planning Tactical Advancements... MORE

PEARL HARBOR (March 24, 2016) Adm. Scott Swift, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet speaks with participants of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Mission Planning Tactical Advancements for the Next Generation (TANG) seminar March 24. The TANG brings government civilians, contractors, enlisted and officer personnel together with commercial enterprises to tackle challenges through innovation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian M. Wilbur/Released)

Remarks at "Looking East - Trend Lines in the Asia Pacific"
March 25, 2016 — Daniel R. RusselAssistant Secretary, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific AffairsHertie School of GovernanceBerlin, GermanyGood evening everyone, and thank you very much Marina for the kind introduction... MORE

Carl Vinson Unveils New Carrier Air Traffic Control Simulator
March 25, 2016 — SAN DIEGO, California -- USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) unveiled a new air traffic control simulator, the first of its kind installed in a Navy aircraft carrier, in the ship's carrier air traffic control... MORE

160322-N-DI878-097 (March 22, 2016) SAN DIEGO – USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Chief Air Traffic Controller Keith Thompson demonstrates the first air traffic control simulator installed on board a Navy aircraft carrier in the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson air traffic control center (CATCC). Carl Vinson is currently pierside in its homeport of San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Giovanni Squadrito/Released)

Air Force, Army Working Dog Handlers Improve Mission Effectiveness Through Joint Training
March 25, 2016 — JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Airmen with the 673rd Security Forces Squadron and Soldiers with the 549th Military Working Dog Detachment participated in joint explosives-detection... MORE

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joe Burns and military working dog, Ciko, assigned to the 673d Security Forces Squadron, conduct K-9 training at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, March 17, 2016. The Security Forces Airmen conducted the K-9 training with their Army counterparts, assigned to the 549th Military Working Dog Detachment, to keep their teams flexible to respond to law enforcement emergencies and for overseas deployments. (U.S. Air Force photo/Alejandro Peña)

Behind the Scenes: Propulsion Flight at Yokota Air Base
March 25, 2016 — YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- On an average day, buzzing can be heard throughout Yokota Air Base, Japan and the surrounding community. Don’t worry, it’s not a massive bee infestation, rather, the sound of... MORE

Members of the 374th Maintenance Squadron propulsion flight inspect a propeller prior to it being tested at Yokota Air Base, Japan, March 3, 2016. The test cell is where engines and propellers go through a final inspection to ensure they run efficiently and are free of any leaks. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman David Owsianka/Released)

Soldiers Train Near the Korean DMZ to Detect and Destroy Weapons of Mass Destruction
March 25, 2016 — CAMP STANLEY, Republic of Korea -- On a sunny, windy day, two Soldiers with the 501st Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive Company, 23rd Chemical Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division,... MORE

Spc. Alex Spears (left) and Staff Sgt. John Ross, both 501st Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosive Company, 23rd Chemical Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, enter Black Hawk Village, March 23. They completed the first two missions of their quarterly Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and Explosive Exploitation Evaluation training.

25th Infantry Division 'Raiders' Conduct Helo Training with Air Force, Marine Corps Counterparts
March 25, 2016 — MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS, Hawaii -- The Soldiers of Comanche Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment “Raiders,” 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, conducted fast rope... MORE

A rope is dropped from a UH-1Y "Venom" helicopter assigned to the "Scarface" Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367 to kickoff the fast rope insertion extraction system (FRIES) training at Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Hawaii, on March 22, 2016. Soldiers assigned to Comanche Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division and Airmen with the 25th Air Support Squadron conducted the training together. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Armando R. Limon, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division)

Coast Guard, Navy Complete Joint Fisheries Patrol in Oceania, Promote Regional Stability
March 25, 2016 — HONOLULU — The Coast Guard and Navy completed a 33-day joint mission in the Central and South Pacific under the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative to combat transnational crimes, enforce fisheries... MORE

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 21, 2016) -- Sailors and Coast Guardsmen embark on a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) from the guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110). Providing a ready force supporting security and stability in the Ino-Asia Pacific, William P. Lawrence, commanded by Cmdr. Walter C. Mainor, is operating as part of the John C. Stennis Strike Group and Great Green Fleet on a regularly scheduled 7th Fleet deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emiline L. M. Senn/Released)