18 February 2021 Naval Postgraduate School Coursework in Great Power Competition, Focused on China WASHINGTON -- The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is once again expanding its graduate education offerings on the subject of Great Power Competition (GPC). While NPS has recently launched a distance learning GPC certificate program, NPS’ Department of National Security Affairs (NSA) will launch two...
17 February 2021 7th Fleet Destroyer Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea SOUTH CHINA SEA -- USS Russell (DDG 59) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. This freedom of navigation operation (“FONOP”) upheld the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging unlawful...
17 February 2021 Secretary Blinken’s Call with Indonesian Foreign Minister Marsudi U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India -- Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. Secretary Blinken affirmed the growing significance of the U.S.-Indonesia Strategic Partnership to the prosperity and security of both nations, and pledged to...
16 February 2021 Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star Conducts Research, Collects Valuable High-latitude Data to Expand Knowledge of Remote Arctic Region JUNEAU, Alaska -- The Seattle-based Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star (WAGB 10) arrived in Juneau Friday for a logistics stop as the crew nears the end of their months-long Arctic deployment conducting scientific research and protecting the nation’s maritime sovereignty and security throughout the polar...
16 February 2021 Kadena Airmen Motivated to Receive COVID Vaccine KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- As vaccinations for COVID-19 are being introduced around the world, more and more individuals are getting the opportunity to be vaccinated against the virus. Kadena Air Base medical staff are now administering the second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine across the base...
16 February 2021 The U.S. Partners with Muhammadiyah to Advance COVID-19 Case Management in Hospitals JAKARTA, Indonesia -- The U.S. Government represented by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Indonesia Mission Director Ryan Washburn, Feb. 11, 2021, joined the Head of Majelis Pembina Kesehatan Umum (MPKU) Muhammadiyah. Agus Samsudin, and the Director of Public Health...
12 February 2021 III Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. 7th Fleet Complete Integrated Training for MEFEX OKINAWA, Japan -- III Marine Expeditionary Force Exercise (MEFEX) 21, a joint exercise that further enhanced the Navy-Marine Corps team’s ability to respond to crises or contingencies, concluded Feb. 12, 2021.During MEFEX, III MEF in direct coordination with U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet conducted realistic...
12 February 2021 Misawa Air Base Leaders Sign International Memorandum of Understanding MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Col. Jesse J. Friedel, 35th Fighter Wing commander, and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Maj. Gen. Takahiro Kubota, 3rd Air Wing commander, signed Memorandum of Understanding International (MOUI) 3010 at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Feb. 12, 2021.The MOUI...
12 February 2021 USS Chicago Returns Home from Indo-Pacific Deployment PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Chicago (SSN 721) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam following a six-month deployment, Feb. 9, 2021.Chicago departed Pearl Harbor, July 15, 2020, for a regularly-scheduled deployment, in which they performed a full...
12 February 2021 Task Force Looks to Prioritize, Synchronize DOD Response to China WASHINGTON -- DOD's China Task Force will examine all the DOD activities relating to what Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III calls America's "pacing challenge" to ensure they are synchronized, prioritized and coordinated to the greatest extent possible, the leader of the review told Pentagon...