An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
Official websites use .mil
A
.mil
website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
Secure .mil websites use HTTPS
A
lock (
lock
)
or
https://
means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Skip to main content (Press Enter).
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
Leadership
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility map
Organization Chart
USINDOPACOM Previous Commanders
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Women, Peace and Security
About USINDOPACOM
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
Media
RESOURCES
Newcomers
Wellness Resources
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
ATFP FAQs
Quality of Life
Useful Links
Resources
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
Contact
JTF-MICRONESIA
JTF-Micronesia Contact
JTF-Micronesia Leadership
JTF-Micronesia - news
JTF-Micronesia
JTF - RED HILL
Search
Home
Media
NEWS
Home
Media
NEWS
HOME
LEADERSHIP
Commander
Deputy Commander
Chief of Staff
Senior Enlisted Leader
ABOUT USINDOPACOM
History
USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility map
Organization Chart
USINDOPACOM Previous Commanders
Counter-Lawfare: Tactical Aids & Legal Vigilance Products
Indo-Pacific Health Security Alliance - IPhsa
Women, Peace and Security
MEDIA
NEWS
Press Releases and Readouts
Photos
Speeches / Testimony
Freedom of Information Act
FOIA - Reading Room
Submit FOIA Request
Request Status
FOIA FAQS
RESOURCES
Newcomers
Wellness Resources
Travel Requirements
Useful Theater Information
ATFP FAQs
Quality of Life
Useful Links
CONTACT
Directory
Media Inquiries
Industry Engagements
JTF-MICRONESIA
JTF-Micronesia Contact
JTF-Micronesia Leadership
JTF-Micronesia - news
JTF - RED HILL
U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
See More
31st MEU | Live-fire deck shoot aboard USS San Diego
31st MEU | Live-fire deck shoot aboard USS San Diego
See More
George Washington Conducts Helicopter Operations
George Washington Conducts Helicopter Operations
See More
Khaan Quest kicks off with an opening ceremony
Khaan Quest kicks off with an opening ceremony
See More
USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returns to Naval Base Guam
USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returns to Naval Base Guam
See More
USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea
See More
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
See More
31st MEU | F-35B Lightning IIs conduct rapid flight operations
31st MEU | F-35B Lightning IIs conduct rapid flight operations
See More
Sailors man the rails aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor
Sailors man the rails aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor
See More
Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s
See More
KAMANDAG 9: MRF-D 25.3 and PMC conduct a counter-landing live-fire defense
KAMANDAG 9: MRF-D 25.3 and PMC conduct a counter-landing live-fire defense
See More
Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane Performs joint flight operations with French Navy off the coast of Tahiti
Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane Performs joint flight operations with French Navy off the coast of Tahiti
See More
506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific
506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific
See More
Salaknib 25 | Final Assault
Salaknib 25 | Final Assault
See More
QUART: HMLA-369 Conducts Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
QUART: HMLA-369 Conducts Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
See More
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, conduct raid with VMM-363 during Southern Jackaroo
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, conduct raid with VMM-363 during Southern Jackaroo
See More
QUART: CH53s Conduct Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
QUART: CH53s Conduct Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry
See More
31st MEU | F-35B night flight operations
31st MEU | F-35B night flight operations
See More
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, VMM-363 conduct air assault rehearsals during Predator’s Walk
MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, VMM-363 conduct air assault rehearsals during Predator’s Walk
See More
Conducts Vertical Replenishment Training
Conducts Vertical Replenishment Training
See More
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct Live Fire MOUT during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct Live Fire MOUT during Korea Viper 25.4
See More
PACAF F-16 Demo Team conducts final flight after 30 years of enhancing U.S. relations worldwide
PACAF F-16 Demo Team conducts final flight after 30 years of enhancing U.S. relations worldwide
See More
KAMANDAG 9: VMM-364 Inserts Marines into Basco Island, Philippines
KAMANDAG 9: VMM-364 Inserts Marines into Basco Island, Philippines
See More
Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
Operational Test Launch GT 253 is a 'Glory Trip' for wing
See More
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
See More
Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony
Governor's Memorial Day Ceremony
See More
KAMANDAG 9: 3d LCT conducts high explosive battle drills
KAMANDAG 9: 3d LCT conducts high explosive battle drills
See More
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct CBRN Response Training with U.S. Army during Korea Viper 25.4
See More
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operations
See More
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
See More
Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
Four Chaplains: Norwegian Foot March
See More
U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
U.S., Japan display interoperability during Friendship Jump 2025
See More
FF25: Blaze of Friendship
FF25: Blaze of Friendship
See More
Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
Blue Ridge Arrives in Wellington, New Zealand for the First Time
See More
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
Activated Reserve Marines Conduct MOUT Training during Korea Viper 25.4
See More
U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
U.S. Marines Execute Casualty Evacuation Training during Jungle Leaders Course
See More
31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
31st MEU Boat Company conducts Small Boat Skills during MEUEX
See More
F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
F-35B Lightning IIs fly over Wake Island
See More
USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
USS Minnesota (SSN 783) returns to Naval Base Guam
See More
EOD members conduct fast-rope ops onto USS Nimitz in South China Sea
EOD members conduct fast-rope ops onto USS Nimitz in South China Sea
See More
Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
Balikatan 25: 3d LCT and 25th ID Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Event with AFP
See More
Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
Respect the Past, Forge the Future: Air Power Days Returns to Osan
See More
31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
31st MEU conducts quick response force rehearsal for MEUEX
See More
Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
Nimitz Sailors Conduct a Refueling-at-Sea
See More
BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
BTF 25-2: Seventh Mission Operations
See More
Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
Balikatan 25: Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
See More
Balikatan 25: B Co. 3-25 exfils Gimlets
Balikatan 25: B Co. 3-25 exfils Gimlets
See More
BH 25-2: Kadena demonstrates Indo-Pacific readiness with joint elephant walk
BH 25-2: Kadena demonstrates Indo-Pacific readiness with joint elephant walk
See More
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations
See More
U.S. Air Force participates in Freedom Flag 25-1
U.S. Air Force participates in Freedom Flag 25-1
See More
Nimitz Conducts Search and Rescue Training
Nimitz Conducts Search and Rescue Training
See More
Balikatan 25: U.S., Philippine, Australian Forces Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
Balikatan 25: U.S., Philippine, Australian Forces Conduct Counter Landing Live Fire Exercise
See More
Staging
Staging
See More
MQ-9 maintainers, planners integrate during Freedom Flag 25-1
MQ-9 maintainers, planners integrate during Freedom Flag 25-1
See More
MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
See More
Balikatan 25: 353rd SOW, Philippine Special Forces Regiment conduct static line jump training
Balikatan 25: 353rd SOW, Philippine Special Forces Regiment conduct static line jump training
See More
Australia, Philippines, and U.S. Conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
Australia, Philippines, and U.S. Conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
See More
Balikatan 25: MADIS initial live fire drill
Balikatan 25: MADIS initial live fire drill
See More
MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
MRF-D 25.3: Marines conduct on-off drills
See More
Balikatan 25: Marines deploy NMESIS to Basco
Balikatan 25: Marines deploy NMESIS to Basco
See More
PACOM Stories
Further, Faster with More: Special Forces Appreciates Osprey's Capabilities
29 May 2015
From Mr. Richard L Rzepka (USAG Okinawa)
Download
Among the first special operators to commence the opening salvo against terrorists in Afghanistan, Oct. 19, 2001, were Green Berets, from the 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group, whose motto, "First in Asia," is particularly apt.
Since then, these professional Soldiers have been consistently engaged in the war on terrorism in areas throughout the globe. Their headgear, as distinctive as their mission-set, was hailed as "a symbol of excellence, a badge of courage, a mark of distinction in the fight for freedom," by President John F. Kennedy, who was a proponent of the unconventional style of warfare, which would define these artisans of war.
One commonality, of these professionals, is a penchant for jumping out of a perfectly good airplane - or a helicopter - or both.
Recently, a group of U.S. Army Special Forces Soldiers partnered with Marine Corps aviators on Okinawa to conduct static line and military-freefall parachute operations from MV-22 Osprey military aircraft using the drop zone on Ie Shima island.
The Osprey, a tilt-rotor aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, is one part whirly bird and one part turboprop, which makes getting there first, the fastest, and with more, a breeze.
"MV-22s conduct missions that normally require both fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft," said Maj. Pat, a Green Beret commander, whose last name has been omitted due to operational security. "With its one-of-a-kind combination of speed, range and operational flexibility, it gives special operations an advantage no other fighting force in the world can employ," he said.
The MV-22 Osprey is prevalent throughout many areas of responsibility and being familiar with the aircraft and its operational capabilities allows the Green Berets of 1st Battalion to not only feel more comfortable with the aircraft, but the Marines, who pilot it as well - allowing for seamless interoperability between the two forces.
The Department of Defense announced, May 11, plans to station a special operations squadron of CV-22 Osprey aircraft on Yokota Air Base, Japan.
The deployment of tilt-rotor aircraft will provide increased capability for U.S. special operations forces to respond quickly to crises and contingencies in Japan and throughout the Asia-Pacific region, including humanitarian crises and natural disasters, according to a news release.
"The CV-22 Osprey is a highly-advanced aircraft with unique capabilities and an excellent operational safety record. The deployment reflects the United States' steadfast commitment to defend Japan and to station its most advanced capabilities forward as part of the Asia-Pacific rebalance."
"As an Army ground unit, we routinely rely on other services to provide capabilities for us that we do not have organically … it is routine for us to work with the Air Force, Navy and Marines not only for airlift support but also for Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Joint Tactical Air Controllers and maritime support," Maj. Pat said. "Special operation forces are usually part of joint headquarters when forward deployed, which also provides us the opportunity to work with our sister services. Being on Okinawa makes forging these relationships fairly easy since we are all in close proximity to each other and work together often."
The "First in Asia" Battalion came to be a part of the military community on Okinawa in March 1984, when the need for special operations forces in the Pacific again became apparent. For more than 30 years, it has been a staple of U.S. forces on the island, which offers an unrivaled training environment to the operators.
"Training on Okinawa allows us to train in Asia-specific terrain on world-class facilities and work closely with our incredible Japanese partners," Maj. Pat said. "The terrain and opportunities that Okinawa provides are unmatched throughout Asia and make for an incredible platform to train."
As special forces Soldiers, being able to appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of various cultures is an attribute that is critical to operating on foreign soil.
"[1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group] has a long history on Okinawa and enjoys being part of the community," Maj. Pat said. "Some of our elements recently conducted a tour of the Ryukyu's for cultural familiarization … respect is one of the Army core values and as special forces operators we pride ourselves on adapting to new cultures and environments. Our experiences in Okinawa are no different."
News Archive
2025 (384)
2024 (956)
2023 (805)
2022 (1167)
2021 (1044)
2020 (1072)
2019 (1152)
2018 (1102)
2017 (1338)
2016 (1447)
2015 (1383)
2014 (892)
2013 (32)
2012 (4)
Guidance-Card-Icon
Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon