News

Last U.S. Ship Transferred to Republic of Korea Navy Decommissioned in Ceremony
December 29, 2016 — JINHAE, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) decommissioned the ROKN ship Pyeongtaek (ATS-27), Dec. 28, closing the final chapter on the last U.S. ship transferred to the ROK... MORE

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea (CNFK), Commander Navy Region Korea (CNRK) and Republic of Korea (ROK) Sailors attend the decommissioning ceremony of ROK ship Pyeongtaek (ATS-27) at Commander Fleet Activities, Chinhae. USS Beaufort (ATS-2), an Edenton-class salvage ship, joined the U.S, Dec. 28, 2016. Fleet in 1972 and served 24-years in the Indo-Asia-Pacific before being decommissioned in 1996. One year later, the ship was transferred to the ROK Navy and commissioned as Pyeongtaek.

2nd Infantry Division creates "Living Insignia"
December 29, 2016 — CAMP CASEY, Republic of Korea -- The coming together of the various units within 2ID/RUCD to create the living patch promotes morale and contributes to the 100-year anniversary and traditions of the... MORE

More than 5,000 Soldiers of 2nd infantry Division/ROK-US Combined Division re-created the division insignia at Indianhead Field on camp Casey, Dec. 21, 2016. This is the third time in the division's history that the living insignia has been re-created and the first with the Combined Division tab.

94th Army Air and Missile Command Year in Review
December 29, 2016 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii - The 94th Army Air and Missile Command continues to provide joint and combined theater air and missile defense in order to meet operations plan requirements and... MORE

Eighth Army G6 Team Strengthens C4I Partnerships with the Republic of Korea
December 29, 2016 — ICHEON, South Korea - Army communicators from the ROK and U.S. teamed up for a C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence) Summit, hosted by ROK/U.S. Combined Forces Command at... MORE

U.S. Army Spc. Bryan McGuigan, a Tactical Satellite Operator assigned to 112th Signal Detachment, Special Operations Command Korea, briefs U.S. Eighth Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Thomas S. Vandal about the SDN SOF Deployable Node during a static display at a Republic of Korea Special Warfare Command Installation near Icheon, Republic of Korea December 1, 2016, as a part of the 2016 C4I (Command Control Communication Computers Intelligence) Summit. The C4I Summit showcases joint interoperability between U.S. and ROK forces.

Ambassador Kennedy's Statement on Prime Minister Abe's Visit to Pearl Harbor
December 28, 2016 — Prime Minister Abe’s visit to Pearl Harbor with President Obama is a tribute to the power of reconciliation and the enduring friendship between the United States and Japan.The close connections and... MORE

PEARL HARBOR (Dec. 27, 2016) Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe greets Pearl Harbor survivors following a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial and delivering remarks alongside President Barack Obama that focused on reconciliation and peace. Today marks the first time an acting Japanese prime minister has visited the USS Arizona Memorial.

Guam Navy Commands Win 2016 Environmental Stewardship Flagship Award
December 28, 2016 — ASAN, Guam (NNS) -- Naval Munitions Command East Asia Division (NMCEAD) Unit Guam and the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), homeported in Guam, were named the 2016 Environmental Stewardship... MORE

In this file photo, Yeoman 1st Class Erik Estrada, far right, assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), helps local volunteers pack mulch into bags in the village of Dededo, Guam. Frank Cable Sailors teamed up with volunteers from Island Girl Power, a local community service program for young girls, to clean and renovate a series of parks. Frank Cable, forward deployed to the island of Guam, conducts maintenance and support of submarines and surface vessels deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

Ground Breaking Ceremony U.S.-Assisted Construction of Thai Police Training Center
December 28, 2016 — NONG SARAI, Thailand -- Ambassador Glyn Davies participated in a ground breaking ceremony on December 21, 2016 to mark the commencement of construction of a new Indoor Tactical Training Facility at... MORE

Ground Breaking Ceremony U.S.-Assisted Construction of Thai Police Training Center, Dec. 21, 2016.

Remarks by President Obama and Prime Minister Abe of Japan at Pearl Harbor
December 28, 2016 — OAHU, Hawaii -- PRIME MINISTER ABE: (As interpreted.) President Obama, Commander Harris, ladies and gentlemen, and all American citizens: I stand here at Pearl Harbor as the Prime Minister of Japan.If... MORE

On Dec. 27, 2016, U.S. President Barack Obama speaks on Kilo Pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam while Japanese Prime Minister looks on. President Obama described the U.S.-Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and a force for progress around the globe.

President Obama Visits Marine Corps Base Hawaii to Thank Troops
December 27, 2016 — WASHINGTON, Dec. 25, 2016 — While speaking to service members today, Dec. 25, 2016, at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, President Barack Obama said, “it has been the privilege of my life to serve as your... MORE

USS John S. McCain Visits Puerto Princesa on Patrol
December 27, 2016 — PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain arrived in Puerto Princesa for a brief routine port call, Dec. 24, 2016. During the visit, the McCain... MORE

The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) approaches Puerto Princesa for a scheduled port visit, Dec, 24, 2016. McCain is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

ROK, US Naval Alliance Takes Next Step with 'Combined Edge' Junior Officer Exchange Program
December 27, 2016 — WATERS SURROUNDING THE KOREAN PENINSULA (NNS) -- A junior officer from U.S. Seventh Fleet embarked on a Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy ship as part of the newly created Combined Edge junior officer... MORE

Lt. j.g. David Dinkins, ships navigator for USS Barry (DDG 52) tours Republic of Korea (ROK) ship Bucheon (PCC 773) during the officer exchange program Combined Edge, Dec. 22, 2016. “Combined Edge” is a program focusing on improving combined war fighting integration between the U.S. and ROK navies by allowing U.S. Navy officers to embark on ROK navy ships.

Alexandria Visits Sasebo during Indo-Asia-Pacific Deployment
December 27, 2016 — FLEET ACTIVITIES SASEBO, Japan (NNS) -- The Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Alexandria (SSN 757) arrived at the Fleet Activities Sasebo Dec. 22 for a visit as part of its Indo-Asia-Pacific... MORE

Regional Health Command-Pacific Paves Way for Global Health Engagements in 2016
December 27, 2016 — HONOLULU, Hawaii -- It is through strong partnerships with U.S. Pacific Command (PACOM) and U.S. Army in the Pacific (USARPAC) that Army Medicine's Regional Health Command-Pacific (RHC-P) is able to... MORE

Senior Chief Petty Officer CJ Eison, fleet medical liaison, Military Sealift Command Far East (MSCFE), observes staff members of a local hotel here perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation techniques during a refresher course. MSCFE personnel are in Thailand conducting various COMREL events along with volunteers from the dry cargo ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11), Dec. 12, 2016. The Washington Chambers is currently in Thailand conducting scheduled voyage repairs.

Marine Air Control Squadron-4 Marines Train to Employ Expeditionary Runways
December 27, 2016 — MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- U.S. Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron 4 Detachment Bravo, Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team, conducted aircraft landing zone training at Marine... MORE

U.S. Marines with Marine Air Control Squadron (MACS) 4 Detachment Bravo, Marine Air Traffic Control Mobile Team (MMT), run to the next 500-foot marker of an expeditionary runway during aircraft landing zone training at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, Dec. 21, 2016. The training allows the Marines to gain experience, practice constructing an expeditionary airfield, and complete training and readiness requirements. An MMT team comprises of a base, pace, chase, reference, navigation aid and communication technician who establish a runway in remote locations during combat scenarios, medical evacuations or for humanitarian aid.

USS Wasp Completes Deployment, Ready for Japan
December 27, 2016 — ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) completed the final portion of its first deployment in 12 years when it finished offloading the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit... MORE

U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 542 Heads Home
December 27, 2016 — MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- U.S. Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 542 completed their Aviation Training Relocation (ATR) Program at Chitose Air Base, and headed back to Marine Corps... MORE

A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 542 prepares to land on the runway during the Aviation Relocation Training Program at Chitose Air Base, Japan, Dec. 14, 2016. VMA-542 is conducting training at Chitose Air Base in an effort to increase operational readiness between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Japan Air Self Defense Force, improve interoperability and reduce noise concerns of aviation training on local communities by disseminating training locations throughout Japan.

U.S. Returns 10,000 Acres of Okinawan Training Area to Japan
December 22, 2016 — WASHINGTON — The return of land on Okinawa’s Northern Training Area will reduce the footprint of U.S. forces on the Japanese island by 20 percent, officials in Japan said today.U.S. forces returned... MORE

Japanese Minister of Defense Tomomi Inada makes opening remarks during the Northern Training Area Land Return Ceremony Dec. 22 in Nago City, Okinawa, Japan. Representatives from the United States government, U.S. Forces Japan and the Government of Japan gathered for the ceremony that represented the return of thousands of acres of land previously utilized as part of the Northern Training Area. The return included approximately 9,852 acres of land and marks the largest land return from U.S. Forces Japan since 1972. The return is one of the many U.S. Forces Japan efforts to consolidate U.S. presence on Okinawa and ensure minimal environmental impact on Okinawa’s natural resources.

B-52s Complete Joint, Combined Missions in Indo-Asia-Pacific
December 22, 2016 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Three U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortresses returned to Minot Air Force Base, North Dakota, Dec. 21, 2016, after executing 15 sorties near Australia and in... MORE

A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress takes off from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, after a short deployment Dec. 17, 2016. This short-term deployment helped to ensure the bomber crews maintain a high state of readiness and crew proficiency, and provided opportunities to integrate capabilities with regional partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

USS Zumwalt Holds Change of Command
December 21, 2016 — SAN DIEGO, California -- The Navy’s newest, most advanced warship, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), graced the pier. Its two big guns, normally hidden away, extended out of the turrets like arms, graceful and... MORE

SAN DIEGO (Dec. 20, 2016) Left to right, Vice Adm. Thomas Rowden, commander, Naval Surface Forces, Capt. James A. Kirk, outgoing commanding officer (CO) of guided-missile destroyer USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000), Capt. Scott A. Tait, in-coming CO of Zumwalt, and Capt. W. Kyle Fauntleroy, Force Chaplain, Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, salute the ensign during a change of command ceremony at Naval Base San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Zachary Bell/Released)

'Dreadnaught' Battalion Takes Home Lessons from Korean Gunnery Exercise
December 21, 2016 — POCHEON, Republic of Korea -- The Soldiers of 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conducted platform specific gunnery training at the Rodriguez... MORE

POCHEON, Republic of Korea -- Armored crews from 2nd Battalion, 34th Armor Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conduct a combined-arms, live-fire exercise on the Rodriguez Life Fire Complex Nov. 30. The live-fire exercises included elements not organic to the organization, such as aviation and engineers, in order to create a more realistic training environment. (U.S. Army Photo by Capt. Jonathan Camire, 1st ABCT Public Affairs/Released)