News

U.S. Air Force B-52 Takes Part in Joint Training at Royal Australian Air Force Darwin
December 8, 2014 — The U.S. Air Force will send a B-52 and KC-135, operatingfrom Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, to Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwinlater this week to take part in short term joint training with the... MORE

Anchorage Completes NASA Orion Mission
December 8, 2014 — San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) successfully completed recovery operations of the NASA Orion crew module, forward bay cover, and parachutes, Dec 5. The... MORE

PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 5, 2014) - Sailors from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and Navy divers assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11, Mobile Dive and Salvage Company 11-7, attach a line to the Orion crew module. Anchorage is conducting the first exploration test flight for the NASA Orion Program. EFT-1 is the fifth at sea testing of the Orion Crew Module using a Navy well deck recovery method. 141205-N-FO359-385

Team Osan Receives Follow-on Forces, Cargo for Exercise Beverly Bulldog 15-01
December 5, 2014 — Typically, the 731st Air Mobility Squadron, operating out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, is responsible for the safe passage of thousands of passengers entering and exiting the ROK. However, the... MORE

MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (Dec. 4, 2014) - U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Fontanilla, 13th Aircraft Maintenance Unit weapons load crew chief, ensures munitions are properly fitted to an F-16 Fighting Falcon. Fontanilla and his team worked quickly to arm the aircraft during exercise Beverly Sunrise 15-1. Misawa, along with other wings in the Pacific Air Forces are working together in a newly designed exercise system. 141204-F-SI704-006

Obama Nominates New DOD Chief
December 5, 2014 — President Obama nominated Ashton Carter as his fourth secretary of Defense on Friday, calling him one of the nation's “foremost national security leaders.”“He knows the Department of Defense inside... MORE

Team Andersen Hosts Annual Operation Christmas Drop Push Ceremony
December 5, 2014 — Thousands of islanders on more than 50 Pacific islands will soon see hundreds of crates containing humanitarian aid and presents parachuting near their homes as Operation Christmas Drop marks its 63rd... MORE

In this photo, an Operation Christmas Drop volunteer uses a forklift to transport boxes containing toys. Operation Christmas Drop is an annual humanitarian airlift mission that began in 1952 and supplies more than 50 islands with boxes that contain donations such as non-perishable food items, clothing, medical supplies, tools, toys and other various items.

Michael Murphy Enhances Interoperability with French Ship
December 5, 2014 — Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) conducted a Passing Exercise (PASSEX) with the French frigate FS Vendemiaire (F734), Nov. 28, while operating in the South... MORE

In this photo, the guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) is returning with 19 civilians embarked who were transferred from Protecteur, which experienced an engine fire and is under tow returning to Pearl Harbor.

Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Instructor Course Tests Marines Endurance on Beaches of Okinawa
December 5, 2014 — In the summer of 1945, near the end of World War II, Marines stormed the beaches of Okinawa, which later became known as the bloodiest battle of the Pacific. Marines were ready to survive by all... MORE

USS Fort Worth Arrives in US 7th Fleet
December 4, 2014 — Littoral combat ship (LCS) USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) arrived in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations Dec. 4, marking a key initial milestone in its 16-month rotational deployment in support of the... MORE

In this photo, the littoral combat ship USS Fort Worth (LCS 3) makes a turn while underway in the pacific Ocean. Fort Worth is providing a sea-going platform for a UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter from the U.S. Army 25th Combat Aviation Brigade to conduct deck landing qualifications off the coast of Hawaii. Fort Worth departed is on a 16-month rotational deployment to Southeast Asia in support of the Navy's strategic rebalance to the Pacific.

One Shot: Marines, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Complete Sniper Training
December 4, 2014 — U.S. Marine Corps scout snipers collaborated with Japan Ground Self-Defense Force snipers during a lesson in stalking Dec. 2 in the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture, Japan.The... MORE

YAMATO, KUMAMOTO, Japan (Dec. 2, 2014) - U.S. Marine Sgt. Joseph Armistead, crouching, instructs Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF)Members during sniper stalk lane training in the Oyanohara Training Area. The training is part of Forest Light 15-1, a semi-annual, bilateral exercise consisting of a command post exercise and field training events conducted by elements of III Marine Expeditionary Force and the JGSDF to enhance the U.S. and Japan military partnership, solidify regional security agreements and improve individual and unit-level skills. Armistead, from Seymour, Tennessee, is a scout sniper with Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, currently attached to 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF, under the unit deployment program. The JGSDF scout snipers are with 42nd Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, JGSDF. 141203-M-GX711-105.

Forest Light Brings Japan Forces and US Marines Together
December 4, 2014 — Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members and U.S. Marines came together in a ceremony Dec. 1 to open up exercise Forest Light 15-1 at the Oyanohara Training Area in Yamato, Kumamoto prefecture,... MORE

Hickam Airmen Exercise Rapid Raptor in Guam
December 4, 2014 — Airmen from the 15th and 154th Wings at Joint Base Pearl-Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, exercised the newest approach to fighter employment Nov. 20-24 at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam.Rapid Raptor, which is... MORE

Marines Dive into Amphibious Skills
December 4, 2014 — Marines are known for their ability to operate in the air, on land and at sea. With this in mind, Marines looked towards the water, bracing themselves for their next dive from the sky, determined to... MORE

NORAD Prepares to Track Santa’s Flight
December 3, 2014 — PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. – The North American Aerospace Defense Command’s NORAD Tracks Santa website, http://www.noradsanta.org/ , launched today featuring a mobile version, a holiday countdown,... MORE

North Korea 'Volatile and Dangerous,' Pacom Nominee Says
December 3, 2014 — WASHINGTON, Dec. 2, 2014 – The nominee to become the next commander of U.S. Pacific Command told Congress today that North Korea is the most volatile and dangerous threat in the Asia-Pacific region... MORE

Helping One Cebu Community at a Time: US Navy "Seabees" and AFP Engineers Build for the Future
December 2, 2014 — Engineers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines Central Command, and a U.S.Navy Construction Civic Action Detail Philippines (CCAD-P or “SEABEES”) areworking together to construct public buildings... MORE

Anchorage Departs on NASA's Orion Mission
December 2, 2014 — San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) departed from Naval Base San Diego to retrieve NASA equipment in the Pacific Ocean, Dec. 1.Anchorage will use its amphibious... MORE

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PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 16, 2014) Sailors from the amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) and Navy divers assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11, Mobile Dive and Salvage Company 11-7, participate in the fourth underway recovery test (URT-4) for the NASA Orion Program. URT-4 is the fourth at-sea testing for the Orion crew module using a well deck recovery method.

Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Puneet Talwar Travels to India
December 2, 2014 — Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs Puneet Talwarwill travel to India December 1-4 to co-chair a political-military dialogue withsenior officials from India’s External Affairs... MORE

Expeditionary Force Marines Expand Integrated Training Opportunities at Convention
December 2, 2014 — Marines from various units throughout III Marine Expeditionary Force gathered for the III MEF Exercise and Training Convention Nov. 26 at Camp Hansen.The convention focused on evolving unit-level... MORE

US Army Labs Test DARPA's Load-Lightening Exosuits
December 2, 2014 — The futuristic exosuits being tested by US Army researchers won't helpsoldiers outrun locomotives, and it'll still take more than a single bound toclear a tall building.But a final prototype of the... MORE

Japan's Forces Going Amphibious, but No Decision on the Vehicles Yet
December 1, 2014 — Japan plans to buy 52 amphibious vehicles through 2018 but hasn’t yet decided on a model, a Defense Ministry official said Monday. Japan is working on assembling a Marines-like unit within its... MORE