News

DOD Releases Fiscal Year 2020 Freedom of Navigation Report
March 12, 2021 — WASHIINGTON -- The Department of Defense (DoD) released its annual Freedom of Navigation (FON) Report for Fiscal Year 2020 on March 10, 2021. During the period from October 1, 2019, through September... MORE

210th Field Artillery Brigade Conducts Loading Exercise
September 30, 2016 — CAMP CASEY, South Korea - Soldiers of the 210th Field Artillery Brigade conducted a Loading Exercise (LOADEX) at Camp Casey, Sept 20. "The purpose of the LOADEX is to ensure that the brigade is ready... MORE

Soldiers from 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Field Artillery Brigade stand by to load wartime essentials during a loading exercise (LOADEX) on Sept. 20. The launcher pictured is named after Sgt. 1st Class Loren R. Kaufman, a Medal of Honor recipient for actions taken during the Korean War.

Ships of Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group Arrive in Hong Kong for Port Visit
September 29, 2016 — HONG KONG (NNS) -- Amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20, both with embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, arrived... MORE

Marines, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), look on as the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) pulls into the harbor of Hong Kong as part of a scheduled port visit, Sept. 23, 2016) Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, with embarked 31st MEU, is in Hong Kong to experience the city’s rich culture and history as part of their multi-month patrol in the region.

Flightline Defenders: 18th SFS Constantly Protects Kadena Flightline
September 29, 2016 — KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Many premier warfighting squadrons call Kadena home, and they remain mission ready to respond at a moment’s notice to preserve assets and interests of the U.S. and its... MORE

A U.S. Air Force 18th Security Forces Squadron patrol vehicle guards F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft parked on the flightline Sept. 27, 2016, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Response force members of the 18th SFS guard Kadena’s aircraft and watch for unauthorized activity or personnel both day and night, ensuring uninterrupted aircraft operations.

Korean People Will Preserve Legacy of American Service Members, Attaché Tells Vets
September 29, 2016 — WASHINGTON -- About 88 veterans of the Korean War arrived in the nation's capital this week for a visit to the Korean War Memorial Saturday, Sept. 24. The veterans, who came to Washington, D.C.,... MORE

Maj. Gen. Shin Kyoung-soo, a Korean defense attaché to the United States, spoke with Korean War veterans, Sept. 24, 2016, at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. About 88 veterans of the Korean War visited the Korean War Memorial in the nation's capital, Sept. 24, 2016.

Secretary of State John Kerry on the Trans-Pacific Partnership
September 29, 2016 — SECRETARY KERRY: Jane, thank you for a wonderful introduction. I hugely appreciate your support, your counsel. And obviously, we are living in complicated times. I want to thank you for many, many... MORE

Seventh Annual Naval Engagement Activity Begins in Da Nang
September 28, 2016 — DA NANG, Vietnam (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy and the Vietnam People's navy (VPN) kicked off the 7th annual Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) Vietnam with a welcome ceremony at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang, Sept... MORE

Capt. H. B. Le, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7, shakes hands with members of the Vietnam People's navy during a welcome ceremony in Da Nang in support of Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) Vietnam 2016. In its seventh year, NEA Vietnam is designed to foster mutual understanding, build confidence in the maritime domain and strengthen relationships between the U.S. Navy, Vietnam People's navy and the local community.

Rising Thunder Builds Interoperability with Japanese, Leaders Say
September 28, 2016 — YAKIMA, Wash. (Army News Service) -- American and Japanese Soldiers here held a ceremony Friday to close out the three-week-long bilateral "Rising Thunder" exercise, which was held to enhance... MORE

YAKIMA, Wash. - Tanks owned by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's 12th Infantry Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, out of Kirishima, Japan, participated in the Rising Thunder Exercise, Sept. 19, at Yakima Training Center. About 900 Soldiers, 300 from Japan's 12th Infantry Regiment, 8th Division, Western Army, out of Kirishima, Japan; and about 600 Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, along with other Soldiers from 2nd SBCT, all part of the 7th Infantry Division out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, took part in the Rising Thunder exercise, Sept. 6-23 at the Yakima Training Center in Washington State.

U.S, Republic of Korea Alliance Highlighted during Air Power Day
September 28, 2016 — OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Osan Air Base hosted approximately 80,000 visitors during Air Power Day 2016, Sept. 24 and 25, highlighting the alliance between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea... MORE

Republic of Korea air force Black Eagles fly in formation during Air Power Day 2016 on Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 25, 2016. Air Power Day was a two-day event that highlighted the partnership between the Republic of Korea and the U.S. military.

Emory S. Land Improves Suicide Awareness
September 28, 2016 — POLARIS POINT, Guam (NNS) -- The suicide awareness team aboard the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) plans to improve Sailors' resources and knowledge by implementing the Sailor Assistance... MORE

U.S. Coast Guard Crew Sequoia Returns from Western, Central Pacific Fisheries Deployment
September 28, 2016 — HONOLULU, Hawaii -- The USCGC Sequoia (WLB-215) crew returned home to Guam Thursday, after a near month-long patrol of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean to deter illegal fishing of highly... MORE

U.S. Coast Guardsmen from Coast Guard Station Honolulu transport members of the Honolulu Police Department Specialized Services Division aboard a 45-foot Response Boat-Medium offshore of Honolulu, Sept. 26, 2016. Station Honolulu served as a platform for HPD to conduct underway ship-boarding exercises aboard the Star of Honolulu.

From Classroom to Field Operations, Marines Train to be Squad leaders
September 28, 2016 — MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, HI -- From high in the mountains of the Kahuku Training Facility to the open terrain of the Kaneohe Bay Range Training Facility, Marines participated in a 7-week-long... MORE

Marines don their gas masks as simulated hostiles use O-chlorobenzalmalononitrile gas (CS gas) during a raid as part of a training exercise aboard the Kahuku Training Facility, Sept. 20, 2016. The exercise is part of a 7-week-long training known as the Advance Infantry Course. The Advance Infantry Course, which is conducted by the Advance Infantry Battalion, Detachment Hawaii, is an advanced 0311 (Rifleman) Military Occupational Specialty course for squad leaders who are currently serving in the operating field. Originally only for 3rd Marine Division, the course here has opened up to various infantry units throughout the Marine Corps. Marines start with a week of proofing their prerequisites that are required for the course, confirming their basic skill sets, and then spend two weeks in a garrison environment doing course work and physical training routines geared toward the squad leader. Towards the second half of the course, Marines conduct one live fire week, followed by three consecutive weeks in the field, progressing from an urban exercise to a patrolling exercise, with offensive and defensive tactics. Marines trained in multiple areas on the island, from high in the mountains of the Kahuku Training Facility to the Military Operation in Urban Terrain facilities on Marine Corps Training Area Bellows.

Opening Ceremony of the 40th Pacific Armies Management Seminar
September 27, 2016 — KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Leaders from 30 of 34 Armies across the Indo-Asia-Pacific gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Sept. 26 for the opening ceremony of the 40th Pacific Armies Management Seminar... MORE

Gen. Robert B. Brown, Commander, U.S. Army Pacific and Lt. Gen. Dato’ Sri Zulkiple, Field Commander West, Malaysian Army present a memento to the Honorable Dato’ Seri Hishmuddin, Minister of Defence Malaysia during the opening ceremony for PAMS 2016, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, September 26. PAMS is an annual multinational military seminar providing a forum for senior level ground force officers from regional ground forces and security forces to meet, exchange views and discuss professional military subjects. This year’s theme is "Unity of Effort: Building Civil-Military Partnerships to Counter Violent Extremism." This seminar marks the 40th iteration of PAMS.

Valiant Shield 16: Ready Group Returns More Capable, Battle Ready
September 27, 2016 — ANDERSON AIR FORCE BASE GUAM, Guam -- Marine Aircraft Group 12 and its subordinate units returned to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan from Guam and the Mariana Islands Range Complex after... MORE

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Hunter Buley, Tropospheric Scatter Microwave Radio Terminal operator with Marine Wing Communications Squadron 18 adjusts the radio terminal's trajectory allowing it to receive and transmit data during Valiant Shield 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, Sept. 18, 2016. The radio terminal provided uninterruptable communications between Guam and Tinian. VS16 is a biennial, U.S.-only, field training exercise that focuses on joint training with U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force to increase interoperability and working relationships.

Osan Air Base Airmen Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
September 27, 2016 — OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea - Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 35th ADA Brigade hosted a lively and festive Hispanic heritage observance Sept. 21 in Daegu,... MORE

Sgt. Brenda Collins, 2-1 ADA Battalion, serves arepa de maiz, a popular dessert from Dominican Republic during the Hispanic heritage observance in Daegu, Republic of Korea, Sept. 21. Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized Sept. 15 - Oct. 15, and 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment hosted the area IV observance in the Republic of Korea.

U.S., Philippines to Conduct Amphibious Landing Exercise 33
September 27, 2016 — MANILA, Philippines -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine Marine Corps have invited U.S. Marines and Sailors from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Bonhomme Richard... MORE

2016 Pacific's Best Medic Competition
September 27, 2016 — JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Soldiers from across the Pacific competed in the Regional Health Command – Pacific’s Best Medic Competition on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Sept.19-23.The... MORE

Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Frost, pharmacy technician, Schofield Barracks Hawaii, qualifies on a M16A2 Rifle during the Best Medic Competition on Joint Base Lewis- McChord, Wash. Sept. 23. Frost competed in the Regional Health Command- Pacific Best Medic Competition to represent the Pacific Region in a national.

U.S. Republic of Korea Navies Demonstrate Anti-Submarine Warfare, Precision Strike Capabilities
September 26, 2016 — WATERS EAST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA -- The U.S. and Republic of Korea navies (ROKN) joined forces to conduct a combined maritime operation in waters East of the Korean Peninsula, Sept. 26. The... MORE

Republic of Korean ships Seoae Ryusungryong (DDG 993), Yul Gok Yii (DDG 992), Kang Gam Chan (DDH 979) and the U.S. Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111), conduct maneuvers during a combined maritime operation in the waters East of the Korean Peninsula, Sept. 26, 2016. Spruance joined ROKN Aegis destroyers, submarines, anti-submarine helicopters, and U.S. and ROKN P-3 patrol aircraft in the operation that highlighted the unified naval force capabilities in defense of the Republic of Korea and region from surface, subsurface, and ballistic missile threats.

Momsen Arrives in Saipan
September 26, 2016 — SAIPAN (NNS) -- Guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92) arrived in Saipan for a regularly scheduled port call, Sept. 24. The port call provided Momsen's crew an opportunity to refresh after four... MORE

An MH-60R Seahawk, attached to the “Warbirds” detachment of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49, lands on the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92), July 29, 2016. The guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG 111), USS Decatur (DDG 73) and Momsen are deployed in support of maritime security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific as part of a U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) under Commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 31.

U.S. Air Force Conducts Third Rotation of Air Contingent in Philippines
September 26, 2016 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- In support of the government of the Philippines, and with their approval and invitation, the United States is conducting a third iteration of a rotational... MORE

Members of the Philippines Air Force stand with U.S. Air Force Maj. Brian Barba, Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group Chief of Air Operations, in front of a U.S. Air Force C-17 at Mactan Air Base, Philippines, Sept. 24, 2016. The military members were in Mactan in support of U.S. Pacific Command’s ongoing Air Contingent mission. The goal of the rotation is for Philippine military and civilian leaders to work with their U.S. counterparts to improve airlift capabilities across the spectrum of military operations and to solidify long-standing relationships in the region.