News

7th Fleet Destroyers transit Taiwan Strait
December 30, 2020 — The Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit Dec. 31 (local time) in accordance with international law. The ships' transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. The United States military will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows. ... MORE

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 30, 2020) Ensign Elijah Jones, from San Bernadino, Calif., plots on a maneuvering board in the combat information center as the guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54) conducts routine operations. Curtis Wilbur is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

U.S. Forces Korea Healthcare Workers and First Responders Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
December 30, 2020 — USAG HUMPHREYS, Republic of Korea -- United States Forces Korea (USFK) started inoculating military and civilian healthcare workers, first responders and the USFK command team with the Moderna... MORE

USFK Healthcare Workers and First Responders Receive COVID-19 Vaccine

Eielson AFB Team Exercises Rapid Combat Readiness, Demonstrates Arctic Ability
December 30, 2020 — EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The 354th Fighter Wing and the 168th Wing Air National Guard completed a readiness exercise Dec. 18, 2020, verifying the wing’s ability to rapidly generate combat... MORE

PACAF Hosts First Virtual Airmen-to-Airmen Talk with Sri Lanka Air Force
December 29, 2020 — JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii -- Airmen from the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) engaged with Pacific Air Force Airmen during the first virtual and fourth annual Airmen-to-Airmen Talk (A2AT)... MORE

U.S. Air Force Maj. Nathan Wills, PACAF Directorate of Strategic Plans and Policy, top left, and members of the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF), top right, watch as SLAF Director of Training Air Vice Marshal HSS Thuyacontha, bottom left, and U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Tyler Otten, mobilization assistant to the Pacific Air Forces commander, bottom right, partake in a ceremonial minutes signing commemorating a successful first virtual and fourth annual Airmen-to-Airmen Talk hosted from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, Dec. 15, 2020. During A2ATs, PACAF and partner nations sharpen interoperability by sharing best practices in a multitude of subject matter areas.

First Wave of COVID-19 Vaccines Arrives at Yokota
December 28, 2020 — YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan -- The first wave of Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shipments has been delivered to Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 26.After rigorous testing and trials demonstrating the vaccine’s... MORE

Staff Sgt. Daniel Monzon-Kazhe, 374th Medical Group non-commissioned officer in charge of contingency material, holds a box of Moderna COVID-19 vaccines at the immunization’s office on Yokota Air Base, Japan, Dec. 26, 2020. Though vaccination has begun, DoD personnel will continue to wear appropriate masks, practice physical distancing, wash hands, and follow restriction of movement to ensure and maintain safety.

Vice President Pence Calls Nimitz At Sea
December 28, 2020 — INDIAN OCEAN – Vice President Mike Pence called the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz, Dec. 25.Pence called Nimitz to provide the nearly 5,000 Sailors and Marines aboard with encouragement during a long... MORE

Rear Admiral Jim Kirk, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11 (right), Capt. Max Clark, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), and Chief Hull Technician (Select) Curtis Eicher participate in a phone call with Vice President Mike Pence aboard Nimitz. Nimitz, the flagship of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and Pacific through the Western Indian Ocean and three critical chokepoints to the free flow of global commerce.

Air Force Releases Findings of Racial Disparity Review
December 23, 2020 — The secretary of the Air Force and the Air and Space Forces service chiefs ordered the review June 2. The measure formalized a step that former Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. David Goldfein... MORE

Maxwell AFB, Ala. - Air Force Chief of Staff Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown, Jr. addresses students from Air War College and Air Command and Staff College at Air University. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trey Ward/CLEARED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE)

'Santa Todd' Goes Virtual to Provide Holiday Joy to Children
December 23, 2020 — WASHINGTON -- Todd Bishop started playing Santa Claus a couple years ago as a way to give back during the holidays, but things have changed quite a bit over the past year.With mandatory physical... MORE

Todd Bishop, a U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency civilian employee, is pictured as “Santa Todd,” with Evan Miller, a youngster from Homer, Ala. The virtual photo with Santa is one way Bishop has adapted to distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group Completes SUSTEX, Deploys
December 23, 2020 — PACIFIC OCEAN – The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) completed their sustainment exercise (SUSTEX) and began a scheduled deployment December 23.“Our Sailors worked incredibly hard to... MORE

PACIFIC OCEAN (Dec. 18, 2020) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) transits the Pacific Ocean Dec. 18, 2020. Theodore Roosevelt is underway conducting routine operations in the U.S. Third Fleet area of operations.

Army Nurse Receives First COVID-19 Vaccine at Brooke Army Medical Center
December 22, 2020 — Army Capt. Rebecca Parrish, an Army nurse who has been serving on the frontlines of health care since the pandemic began, was among a small group of frontline medical professionals who received the... MORE

Senior Airman Marisol Salgado, medical technician, administers a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to Army Capt. Rebecca Parrish, a COVID-19 intensive care unit nurse at Brooke Army Medical Center on Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Dec. 17, 2020. Parrish was the first BAMC staff member to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

USS John S. McCain Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in South China Sea
December 22, 2020 — SOUTH CHINA SEA - USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. This freedom of navigation operation (“FONOP”) upheld... MORE

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Dec. 22, 2020) - USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the Spratly Islands, consistent with international law. This freedom of navigation operation (“FONOP”) upheld the rights, freedoms, and lawful uses of the sea recognized in international law by challenging restrictions on innocent passage imposed by China, Vietnam, and Taiwan.

U.S. Ambassador Announces US$100,000 in TC Yasa Relief Funding
December 22, 2020 — SUVA, Fiji – Today, the U.S. Ambassador to Fiji Joseph Cella announced the approval of US$100,000 (FJD$204,550) in International Disaster Assistance from the U.S. Agency for International... MORE

U.S. Ambassador to Fiji Joseph Cella announced the approval of US$100,000 (FJD$204,550) in International Disaster Assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID/BHA).

Team Misawa Agile Combat Employment Exercise Enhances Capabilities
December 21, 2020 — MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan - U.S. Airmen from various units in the 35th Fighter Wing conducted a weeklong Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, 6 through 11 Dec.Six... MORE

U.S. Air Force Airman Corey Tidwell, a 35th LRS fuels distribution journeyman, prepares to marshal an F-16 Fighting Falcon during Agile Combat Employment week at Misawa Air Base, Japan, Dec. 10, 2020. The 35th LRS tested a new cargo deployment function (CDF) process that centralized representatives from all units and their unpacked cargo in one location to collectively pack individual storage units, reducing the CDF timeline and deployment footprint.

USS John S. McCain Joins French, Japanese Navies for Multinational Exercise
December 18, 2020 — PHILIPPINE SEA -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) joined the French Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for integrated exercises in the... MORE

USS John S. McCain conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation

It's a Wrap for Operation Christmas Drop 2020
December 18, 2020 — WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Air Force made a special Christmas delivery to people living on some of the most remote islands in the world, airdropping more than 3,200 pounds of cargo as part of its 69th... MORE

French Submarine Deployment to Western Pacific Presents Rare Training Opportunity for Guam-Based Boat
December 18, 2020 — YOKOSUKA, Japan -- The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) had the rare opportunity to train with French crew this month, when she conducted a series of at-sea submarine... MORE

Seizing and Defending Islands: U.S. Marines, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Strengthen Integrated Capabilities during Exercise Forest Light
December 18, 2020 — NIIGATA PREFECTURE, Japan -- With MV-22 Ospreys and CH-47 aircraft operating overhead, U.S. Marines and Japanese soldiers manned machine guns, managed interlinked sensor screens, and provided... MORE

Marines Deliver Toys Across Hawaiian Islands
December 18, 2020 — KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii -- Here come the Red Dragons with an aircraft full of toys. Nearly 2,000 toys to be exact.For the second year, U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor squadron 268 and 4th Force... MORE

Team Misawa Agile Combat Employment Week Enhances Multi-Capable Airmen Capabilities
December 18, 2020 — MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Airmen from various units in the 35th Fighter Wing conducted a weeklong Agile Combat Employment (ACE) training exercise at Misawa Air Base, Japan, 6 through 11 Dec.Six... MORE

Team Misawa ACE week enhances MCA capabilities

Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard Release Maritime Strategy
December 17, 2020 — WASHINGTON ̶ The U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard released a new tri-Service maritime strategy today, entitled Advantage at Sea.The document provides strategic guidance on how the sea services... MORE

DOD, DHS Collaborating on Innovative Cybersecurity SolutionsDOD, DHS Collaborating on Innovative Cybersecurity Solutions