An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Aug. 11, 2022

U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Focuses on Cooperative Partnership During Brunei Visit

U.S. Embassy in Brunei Darussalam -- Admiral John C. Aquilino, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, concluded his three-day visit to Brunei Darussalam on August 9. The visit was focused on enhancing security cooperation between the United States and Brunei for the mutual benefit of both countries and in defense of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

On August 8, Admiral Aquilino met with His Majesty the Sultan. He expressed his gratitude to His Majesty for his unwavering support of the security partnership and continued defense cooperation between Brunei and the United States. He was joined by U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Caryn R. McClelland, his Executive Assistant Captain Melvin Smith, and the U.S. Embassy’s Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation Lieutenant Commander Samuel Kim.

Through meetings with the Ministry of Defense, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Admiral Aquilino discussed ways to strengthen Brunei’s security cooperation with the United States and regional partners to address global challenges such as violent extremism and climate change. He also focused on enhancing training collaborations and intelligence sharing to respond to and prevent emerging threats. His trip included a visit to the Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque, where he had an opportunity to learn about the rich history of Islam in Brunei and gain an appreciation of the cultural and architectural elements that make the mosque unique.

“We were delighted to have Admiral Aquilino in Brunei Darussalam for his first official visit as the U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander,” said Ambassador McClelland. “His visit speaks volumes about the United States’ commitment to our security partnership with Brunei. We plan to build off this to continue increasing the joint interoperability of our forces and improving regional security awareness and cooperation.” The close relationship between the United States and Brunei Darussalam began when the USS Constitution dropped anchor in Brunei Bay on April 6, 1845 – a visit that led to the signing of a Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce and Navigation that remains active today.

Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise at the core of the bilateral defense relationship. The Pahlawan Warrior exercise between the U.S. Army and Royal Brunei Land Forces that took place in June this year was the largest combined exercise the two nations have ever conducted. More recently, the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Higgins (DDG 76) made a port call on July 25 to Brunei in honor of His Majesty the Sultan of Brunei’s 76th birthday.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is the United States’ oldest and largest combatant command, and Admiral Aquilino is the region’s most senior U.S. military commander, reporting directly to the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
USS Howard visits Otaru
SAGAMI WAN, Japan (Jan. 24, 2023) USS Howard (DDG 83) conducts small boat operations off the Japanese coast. Howard is assigned to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 71/Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy's largest forward-deployed DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet's principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Ensign Morgan Bollinger)
Feb. 7, 2025 - USS Howard (DDG 83), forward deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, as part of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, arrived at Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan on February 7, 2025, for a scheduled port visit...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's Call with Indonesian Minister of Defense Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin
Readout graphic
Feb. 7, 2025 - Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:...

USFJ Alliance Evolves: Multilateral Partnerships, training at core of C2 Modernization efforts
SASEBO, Japan (Nov. 6, 2018) - Assistant air officer Lt. Cmdr. Rich Mehlmann explains basic flight deck procedures to midshipmen and cadets from Republic of Korea Navy, Army and Air Force academies during a tour of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) at Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo. Wasp, flagship of Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, is forward deployed to Sasebo, Japan as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet.
Feb. 7, 2025 - The U.S.-Japan Alliance remains a cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, and the Alliance is now even more necessary amidst an increasingly severe security environment, according to government...

USINDOPACOM Commander addresses Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense
USINDOPACOM PRESS RELEASE GRAPHIC
Feb. 7, 2025 - Twenty-six Indo-Pacific nations participated in a virtual Chiefs of Defense forum hosted by Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on February 4, 2025...

Readout of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's Call With Indian Minister of Defense Rajnath Singh
Readout graphic
Feb. 6, 2025 - Department of Defense Spokesman John Ullyot provided the following readout:...