News

Indian MARCOS, U.S. Navy SEALS Conduct Joint Training Exchange
December 7, 2023 — A U.S. Navy SEAL Team conducted a joint training exchange with the Indian Marine Commando Force (MARCOS) from Oct. 20 to Nov. 11, 2023.The combined tactical training, which built upon the partner... MORE

U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon Transits Taiwan Strait
December 6, 2023 — A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon transited the Taiwan Strait in international airspace on December 6 (local time)... MORE

FSM President joins US Ambassador, USAF for OCD 23 Push Ceremony
December 6, 2023 — In a heartwarming ceremony held at Andersen Air Force Base, dignitaries, military officials, and volunteers gathered for the annual Operation Christmas Drop Push Ceremony, Dec. 4... MORE

(Left to right), Jennifer Johnson, U.S. Ambassador to the Federated States of Micronesia, Bruce Best, Operation Christmas Drop (OCD) island liaison and coordinator, Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, U.S. Forces Japan and Fifth Air Force commander, and His Excellency Wesley Simina, President of the Federated States of Micronesia, push a bundle onto a Yokota Air Base C-130J Super Hercules during the OCD 23 Push Ceremony, Dec. 4, 2023, at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. OCD is an opportunity to work together, to learn from one another, and to continue successful joint efforts in support of humanitarian aid delivery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Taylor Altier)

Statement from President Joe Biden on the Death of American Service Members
December 5, 2023 — Jill and I were heartbroken to learn of the loss of eight American service members when their aircraft crashed off the coast of Japan last week during a routine training mission... MORE

International delegates unite for Operation Christmas Drop 2023
December 5, 2023 — With smiles on their faces and Santa hats on their heads, crews from the U.S., Japan, Canada, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and the Philippines arrived at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, from Nov. 27-29 to kick off Operation Christmas Drop once again... MORE

U.S. Air Force members assigned to the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and children collect items to fill a bundle of humanitarian aid during the annual bundle building event in support of Operation Christmas Drop 2023 (OCD 23) at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 2. 2023. The tradition began during the Christmas season in 1952 when a B-29 Superfortress aircrew saw islanders waving at them from the island of Kapingamarangi, 3,500 miles southwest of Hawaii. In the spirit of Christmas, the aircrew dropped a bundle of supplies attached to a parachute to the islanders below, giving the operation its name. Today, airdrop operations include more than 50 islands throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Brooklyn Golightly)

Pacific Air Forces hosts medical group readiness symposium, addresses readiness challenges
December 5, 2023 — The Pacific Air Forces Surgeon General recently hosted a Medical Readiness Symposium on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Nov. 6-8... MORE

Medical Group Readiness Symposium group photo

Ceremony Opens Yama Sakura 85 for Australian, U.S. Troops, JGSDF Members
December 4, 2023 — With the temperatures outside below freezing, American soldiers from the U.S. Army's 11th Airborne Division and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members stood tall, saluting the flags of their home countries. And for the first time in 41 years, Australian soldiers were alongside them, saluting their own... MORE

Members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and soldiers from the U.S. Army's 11th Airborne Division, salute during the opening ceremony of Yama Sakura 85 on Camp Higashi-Chitose, Japan, Dec. 3, 2023. YS 85 is a trilateral command post exercise featuring U.S. soldiers, members of the JGSDF, and soldiers from the Australian Army's 1st Division, and demonstrates the strength of the relationship between the three countries and their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Pacific Partnership 24-1 Departs Solomon Islands
December 4, 2023 — Pacific Partnership 24-1 (PP24-1) concluded 14 days of medical, humanitarian and disaster response, engineering, and host nation outreach efforts in the Solomon Islands closing out its second mission stop Dec. 3... MORE

U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Dzmitry Astapchyk, from Toms River, New Jersey, gives a local resident glasses during a community health engagement at the Holy Cross Cathedral in Honiara, Solomon Islands, as part of Pacific Partnership 2024-1, Dec. 2, 2023. Pacific Partnership, now in its 19th iteration, is the largest multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific and works to enhance regional interoperability and disaster response capabilities, increase security stability in the region, and foster new and enduring friendships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Woitzel)

Secretary of Defense, United Kingdom and Australian Counterparts to Host Joint Press Briefing
December 1, 2023 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is scheduled to hold a joint press briefing with the Honourable Richard Marles MP, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence, Australia, and the Right Honourable Grant Shapps, Secretary of State for Defence, United Kingdom, at the Defense Innovation Unit in Mountain View, Calif., Dec. 1 at 4:00 p.m. PST (7:00 p.m. EST)... MORE

Guam Air Guard upgrades Andersen Air Force Base
December 1, 2023 — Engineers from the 254th Red Horse Squadron, Guam National Guard, are working to restore 50 uninhabited houses to livable conditions on Andersen Air Force Base... MORE

Staff Sgt. Bryant Contreras of the 254th Red Horse Squadron, Guam Air National Guard, “sweats” an HVAC copper pipe on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Nov. 27, 2023. Contreras is activated with a group of 30 Guam Guardsmen tasked to restore 50 homes for rotational forces in Guam. (U.S. National Guard photo by Mark Scott)

USCGC Frederick Hatch concludes historic patrol with engagements in the Philippines, fisheries enforcement in Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea
November 30, 2023 — The USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) successfully concluded a routine 47-day expeditionary patrol covering more than 8,200 nautical miles under Operation Blue Pacific, returning to Guam on Thanksgiving, distinguished by a series of historic and strategic engagements across the Western Pacific and Oceania... MORE

The USCGC Frederick Hatch (WPC 1143) conducts joint fisheries boardings with members of the Papua New Guinea National Fisheries Authority and the Customs Service in the Papua New Guinea exclusive economic zone on Nov. 6, 2023. The crew successfully concluded a routine 47-day expeditionary patrol covering more than 8,200 nautical miles under Operation Blue Pacific, returning to Guam on Thanksgiving, distinguished by a series of historic and strategic engagements across the Western Pacific and Oceania. The Frederick Hatch is the 43rd 154-foot Sentinel-class fast response cutter named for a surfman and lighthouse keeper who was a two-time Gold Life Saving Medal recipient. They regularly patrol Oceania, fostering international cooperation and supporting maritime safety, security, and stewardship. (U.S Coast Guard photo)

51st FW soars with allies in CS23
November 30, 2023 — U.S. Air Force pilots and maintainers assigned to the 51st Fighter Wing, Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, participated in Commando Sling 23, a PACAF-sponsored field training exercise at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, Nov. 6-24, 2023... MORE

A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron returns from Commando Sling 23 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 27, 2023.

Japan, Republic of Korea, U.S. Navies Conduct Trilateral Maritime Exercise
November 29, 2023 — The U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1 conducted a trilateral maritime exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN), Nov. 26... MORE

CBRN Soldiers bolster combined defense posture near Korean Demilitarized Zone
November 29, 2023 — A deployed U.S. Army Chemical Corps company is training together with U.S. and South Korean military forces near the world’s most heavily guarded border... MORE

American Soldiers from the 59th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Company (Hazardous Response) "Mountain Dragons" are bolstering the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance combined defense posture during a rotational deployment near the Korean Demilitarized Zone. Since arriving in South Korea in July 2023, the Fort Drum, New York-based CBRN company has trained with maneuver forces for a wide variety of combat missions. Courtesy photo.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Hosts Virtual Chiefs of Defense Meeting
November 29, 2023 — Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosted a virtual meeting Nov. 28 with the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense to strengthen military-to-military relationships, discuss common... MORE

Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosts a virtual meeting with the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defense. Senior military leaders from 20 countries discussed security concerns and regional issues as part of the quarterly meetings to strengthen military-to-military relationships and foster regional cooperation. USINDOPACOM is committed to enhancing stability in the Indo-Pacific region by promoting security cooperation, encouraging peaceful development, responding to contingencies, deterring aggression and, when necessary, fighting to win. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Shannon Smith)

‘Priority is an Understatement’: Guam Governor attends National Guard Cybersecurity Summit
November 27, 2023 — Over 100 cybersecurity stakeholders gathered at the University of Guam for the 2024 Central Pacific Cybersecurity Summit, hosted by the Guam National Guard from Nov. 6-7... MORE

Federal, military, local government, and civilian stakeholders participate in the 2024 Central Pacific Cybersecurity Summit at the University of Guam, Nov. 6, 2023. Hosted by the Guam National Guard, the summit aimed to enhance local and national security by integrating cyber defense to deter adversaries and improve cyber resiliency.

Readout of Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti’s Meeting with Republic of Korea Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Yong-mo
November 27, 2023 — Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti met Republic of Korea Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Yong-mo at Busan Naval Base in Busan, Republic of Korea, today... MORE

BUSAN, Republic of Korea (Nov. 24, 2023) - Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy James Honea meet with Republic of Korea Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Yang Yong-mo aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) while the ship is in Busan, Republic of Korea for a port visit, Nov. 24. Franchetti and Honea visited Vinson and other 7th Fleet commands to engage with Sailors and Navy leadership to highlight Franchetti's priority of strengthening the Navy team. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Amanda R. Gray)

U.S. Navy Destroyer Conducts Freedom of Navigation Operation in the South China Sea
November 25, 2023 — On November 25, USS Hopper (DDG 70) asserted navigational rights and freedoms in the South China Sea near the Paracel Islands, consistent with international law. At the conclusion of the operation,... MORE

231125-N-EE352-1002 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 25, 2023) – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Grace Hopper (DDG 70) conducts routine underway operations. Hopper is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Leon Vonguyen)

USINDOPACOM Statement on DPRK Launch
November 22, 2023 — We are aware of the DPRK’s Nov. 21 launch of a space launch vehicle (SLV) and Nov. 22 Short Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM) launch and are consulting closely with the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Japan,... MORE

Readout of Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner's Calls With Republic of Korea and Japan
November 22, 2023 — U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner spoke today in separate calls with Republic of Korea (ROK) Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Heo Taekeun and with Japan Director-General for Defense Policy Kano Koji... MORE