News

F-35B Weapons Load Testing Wraps up on USS America during DT-III
November 21, 2016 — PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The F-35B Lightning II third developmental test phase (DT-III) aboard amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) reached a new milestone as the program completed weapons load... MORE

Ordnance is prepared for an F-35B Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft on the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). This event marked the first live ordnance uploaded to the F-35B at sea, Nov. 5, 2016. During the third and final F-35B developmental test phase (DT-III), the aircraft is undergoing envelope expansion via a series of launches and recoveries in various operating conditions such as high sea states and high winds.

Carrier Strike Group 5 Returns to Yokosuka after Patrol
November 21, 2016 — YOKOSUKA, Japan -- Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG 5) and its flagship USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) returned to Yokosuka, Japan, Nov. 21 following a three month patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific... MORE

In this file photo, the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), steams in formation with ships from Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG) 5 and the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) during exercise Invincible Spirit, October 2016. The bilateral exercise consist of routine operations in support of maritime counter-special operating forces and integrated maritime operations. Ronald Reagan is on patrol with CSG 5 supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Deployed B-1s Join U.S. Forces, Japan Self-Defense Force for Exercise Keen Sword
November 21, 2016 — ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, SD -- B-1 bombers from the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron deployed to Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, joined U.S. forces and the Japan Self-Defense Force for Exercise Keen... MORE

A B-1 bomber from the 34th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron leads a formation with fighters in front of U.S. Navy and Japanese surface vessels during Exercise Keen Sword 17, which took place Oct. 30 to Nov. 11, 2016, in the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Japan, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands. Keen Sword is a bilateral exercise between the Japanese Self-Defense Force and the United States designed to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance and increase combined combat readiness within the framework of the alliance.

Top-performing Leaders Complete Phase Two of the Young Alaka'i Leadership Program
November 21, 2016 — FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- Twenty-seven top performing company-grade officers, warrant officers and non-commissioned officers at the joint level, from all services across the Pacific region, and one... MORE

William Beaumont Army Medical Center Doctor Provides Aid in Vietnam Mission
November 21, 2016 — QUANG BINH PROVINCE, Vietnam - More than four decades ago, the United States found itself divided by the controversial war in Vietnam. The conflict resulted in the deaths of almost 60,000 service... MORE

In this file photo, Maj. Aaron Pumerantz (center), a native of Simsbury, Connecticut and chief of rheumatology, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, lifts a log over his head during a Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recovery mission in Quang Binh Province, Vietnam, Aug. 14, 2016. DPAA's mission is to provide the fullest possible accounting for our missing personnel to their families and the nation.

Team 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command Conducts Combined Decontamination Exercise with Republic of Korea Army
November 18, 2016 — DAEGU, SOUTH KOREA - The 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command conducted a combined decontamination exercise with the Republic of Korea 2nd Operational Command as a part of the Reception, Staging,... MORE

Republic of Korea and US Soldiers work together at the initial wash phase of the vehicle decontamination line to decontaminate a military vehicle during Combined Decontamination Exercise, Nov. 17, 2016.

USS Makin Island arrives in Singapore
November 18, 2016 — CHANGI, Singapore (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8) arrived in Singapore for a scheduled port visit, Nov. 18.The port visit will allow Sailors from Makin Island and Marines... MORE

" Sailors aboard a rigid-hull inflatable boat, launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), approach the trimaran of a missing Chinese mariner during a search and rescue mission in the western Pacific Ocean. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group is deployed with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of the Navy™s maritime strategy in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility.

Special Forces Support Soldiers Get Tactical Tune-up at Two-Week Course
November 18, 2016 — TORII STATION, Okinawa -- The first sergeant's words bounced off the shoot house walls like the sim-rounds being fired through the Special Forces support Soldier's rifles. "We need you to be enablers... MORE

The 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group is unique, in that it is one of two forward deployed battalions in the Special Forces' inventory. Their portfolio is as diverse and challenging as one would expect of Special Operations in the Pacific. For the enablers, this means being at the top of their game as the Green Berets they support serve far beyond the tip of the spear.

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Ready Group Takes Part in Vigilant Ace 17-1
November 18, 2016 — OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 and other elements of Marine Aircraft Group 12 from Marine Corps Air Station... MORE

U.S. Marines and U.S. Airmen work together during a simulated contamination control area in preparation of Vigilant Ace 17-1 at Osan Air Base, Korea, Nov. 17, 2016. Vigilant Ace is a biannual, bilateral training event that exercises U.S. military and Republic of Korea Air Force interoperability through simulated wartime tasking.

Face of Defense: Army Brothers-in-Arms Serve Together in Hawaii
November 18, 2016 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Joel and Timothy Seppala, natives of Hayti, South Dakota, share a bond not only as siblings, but also as brothers-in-arms.“We had a typical big brother-little... MORE

USS Comstock Arrives in Subic Bay
November 17, 2016 — SUBIC BAY, Philippines (NNS) -- Sailors and Marines aboard amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45) and the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines,... MORE

USS Comstock LSD-45 steams in formation during a photo exercise during Keen Sword 2017. Keen Sword 17 is a joint and bilateral field training exercise (FTX) between U.S. and Japanese forces meant to increase readiness and interoperability within the framework of the U.S. " Japan alliance.

Secretary of the Navy Visits Hawaii Sailors, Marines
November 17, 2016 — PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus met with Sailors and Marines stationed in Hawaii during all-hands calls at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) and Marine Corps Base Hawaii... MORE

Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus shakes hands with U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. David H. Berger, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, aboard Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Nov. 15, 2016. Mabus is visiting Hawaii to speak to Sailors and Marines on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and Marine Corps Base Hawaii.

US Navy Divers Conduct Inaugural Dive, Preserve Legacy of USS Salute
November 17, 2016 — MUARA, Brunei (NNS) -- Navy divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 are teaming with Royal Brunei navy personnel Nov. 16-18 for diving operations on former USS Salute (AM 294), a World War... MORE

U.S. Navy Divers attached to Mobile Diving & Salvage Company ONE divers serving with the Royal Brunei Armed Forces gather for a group photo at the wreckage site of USS Salute (AM-294), which sank in Brunei waters on June 7, 1945, during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Brunei 2016, Nov. 15. CARAT is a series of annual maritime exercises between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations to include Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Timor-Leste.

Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni Ready Group Takes Part in Vigilant Ace 17-1
November 17, 2016 — OSAN AIR FORCE BASE, Korea -- Marine Wing Support Squadron 171, Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 and other elements of Marine Aircraft Group 12 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni,... MORE

KS17: 459th Airlift Squadron and Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron Conduct familiarization training Exercise
November 17, 2016 — YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- As the sun was setting behind the mountain terrain, it casted a deep orange hue onto the flight line as UH-1N Iroquois crewmembers completed their pre-flight inspections... MORE

Airmen with the 459th Airlift Squadron and Japan Air Self-Defense Force Komatsu Air Rescue Squadron conduct a night vision goggles training at Combined Arms Training Center Camp Fuji, Nov. 9, 2016, during the Keen Sword 17. The 459th AS and Komatsu Air RQS Airmen conducted a three-day NVGs and hoist familiarization training.

Indo-Asia-Pacific Region Remains 'Most Consequential' to America, PACOM Chief Says
November 16, 2016 — WASHINGTON -- The Indo-Asia-Pacific region remains the most consequential area for America’s future, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command said here today. Navy Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. said at the... MORE

Defense One Executive Editor Kevin Baron speaks with Navy Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr. at the Defense One Summit Kickoff in Washington, Nov. 15, 2016. Harris, the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, said his region is “the most consequential” to America.

USS Sampson to Support New Zealand-led Forces Responding to Earthquake
November 16, 2016 — PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy is supporting recovery efforts in response to the earthquake in New Zealand. In addition to a maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, USS Sampson (DDG 102) and... MORE

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG 102), right, conducts a replenishment-at-sea with Her Majesty's New Zealand Ship Endeavour (A11), Nov. 13, 2016. Sampson will report to U.S. Third Fleet, Headquartered in San Diego, while deployed to the Western Pacific as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of Third Fleet into the region.

Japan and U.S. Forces Complete Amphibious Operations during Keen Sword 2017
November 16, 2016 — PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- U.S. Forces and Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) combined to complete a series of amphibious operations as part of Keen Sword 2017 on Nov. 11.Keen Sword is a joint and bilateral... MORE

Senior Airman Anthony Schoof, 36th Airlift Squadron C-130 Hercules loadmaster, observes Japan Ground Self-Defense Force container delivery system bundles parachute to a drop zone during Keen Sword 2017, Nov. 10, 2016, over the Kyushu prefecture, Japan. Keen Sword is designed to practice the critical capabilities to support the defense of Japan, and to respond to a potential crisis or contingency in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Pacific Air Forces, US Marine Corps Conclude Exercise Cope West 17
November 16, 2016 — MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- U.S. Marines with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 225 conclude exercise Cope West 17 at Sam Ratulangi International Airport, Indonesia, on Nov... MORE

A U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornet with Marine All-Weather Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA (AW)) 225 and an Indonesian Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon fly in formation during exercise Cope West 17 in Indonesia, Nov. 4, 2016. The combined training offered by this exercise helps prepare the U.S. Marine Corps and Indonesia Air Force to work together in promoting a peaceful Indo-Asia-Pacific region while practicing close air support and air-to-air training that will enhance their ability to respond to contingencies throughout the region. Both the U.S. F/A-18D Hornets and Indonesian F-16 Fighting Falcons bring unique capabilities affording the associated nations the opportunity to learn and understand each other’s skills, preparing them for real world contingencies and further strengthening their relationship.

Devil Soldiers Demonstrate Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System for Republic of Korea Army
November 16, 2016 — CAMP HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea ¬– Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, along with leaders from the 2nd Infantry Division /... MORE

Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, conduct a multiple integrated laser engagement system, or MILES, demonstration to senior leaders with the Republic of Korea Army at Camp Humphreys Nov. 8, 2016. The demonstration was designed to give the ROK Army leaders an understanding of the capabilities of MILES as well as the integration of initial-homestation instrumentation training system, or I-HITS.