News

US and Partner Nations Conduct Multiple SINKEXs as Part of RIMPAC 2024
July 22, 2024 — Ships and aircraft participating in Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 conducted long-planned, live-fire sinking exercises (SINKEXs) and sank the decommissioned USS Dubuque (LPD 8), July 11, 2024, and the decommissioned USS Tarawa (LHA 1), July 19, 2024. Both were sunk in waters 15,000 feet deep, more than 50 nautical miles off the northern coast of the island of Kauai... MORE

Royal Netherlands Navy De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS Tromp (F803) fires a Harpoon missile during a long-planned live fire sinking exercise as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024.

Koa Moana 24: U.S. Marines and Sailors Support Humanitarian Aid Efforts in Chuuk
July 22, 2024 — In a demonstration of solidarity and resilience, U.S. Marines and Sailors from Koa Moana 24 have been instrumental in helping deliver humanitarian aid support across the archipelago of Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia... MORE

U.S. Marines and Sailors with Combat Logistics Battalion 13, Combat Logistics Regiment 17, 1st Marine Logistics Group, provide humanitarian disaster relief preparation by offloading approximately one thousand bags of rice and three thousand cases of water to Federal States of Micronesia outer island of Chuuk during exercise Koa Moana 24 in the Chuuk Lagoon, July 5-9, 2024. During Koa Moana’s deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific region, U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force work to strengthen alliances and partnerships with development of interoperable capabilities, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts. Exercises like Koa Moana administer 1st MLG to tackle complex challenges by fostering collaboration among bold thinkers and employing creative methods to optimize prepositioning, enhance sustainment and distribution networks, and bolster readiness in distributed environments such as Palau, the Federal States of Micronesia, and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Gunnery Sgt. Sean Arnold)

U.S. Navy Conducts Successful Live-Fire Demonstration at RIMPAC 2024
July 22, 2024 — The U.S. Navy achieved a significant milestone at the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 exercise with the successful launching and testing of Poniard rockets from a Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV). The 12 July test is part of the Navy’s mission to continually enhance and expand its maritime capabilities and operational flexibility via security cooperation and innovation with allies and partners... MORE

A Common Unmanned Surface Vehicle (CUSV), heads out to sea for the Poniard launching test from ROKS Cheon Ja Bong as part of the Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), 12 July.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Celebrates 80th Anniversary of Guam Liberation Day
July 21, 2024 — Tumon, GUAM — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Guam July 18-20, where he met with senior government officials and U.S. service members to reiterate USINDOPACOM’s... MORE

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Guam July 18-20, where he met with senior government officials and U.S. service members to reiterate USINDOPACOM’s priority of defending the homeland and to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the island. As a part of the homeland, Guam serves as a strategic U.S. outpost in the Western Pacific.

U.S. Coast Guard rescues motor yacht crew 200 nautical miles west of Republic of Palau
July 21, 2024 — The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew is currently towing the motor yacht Black Pearl 1, located approximately 200 nautical miles west of the Republic of Palau on July 21, 2024, after responding to a distress call... MORE

A rescue and assistance team from the USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) approaches the 150-foot 497-ton motor yacht Black Pearl 1, located approximately 200 nautical miles west of the Republic of Palau, on July 21, 2024, after responding to a distress call. The 11-person yacht crew, who reported a locked rudder and flooding in the bilge, was assisted by Oliver Henry's crew with dewatering and damage control. They were then towed toward Palau by the Oliver Henry in 25 mph winds and 4 to 6-foot seas. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Ryder Nolan)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Travels to Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands
July 21, 2024 — SAIPAN, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands — Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Saipan and Tinian in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands on July 20,... MORE

From left, Saipan Gov. Arnold I. Placios, Rear Adm. Greg Huffman, commander, Joint Task Force – Micronesia, Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, and Lt. Gov. David M. Apata take a photo during USINDOPACOM’s visit to the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands on July 20, 2024. Paparo was joined by Huffman, Rear Adm. Brent DeVore, commander, Joint Region Marianas, and Fleet Master Chief David Isom, USINDOPACOM command senior enlisted leader, emphasizing personal relationships and the enduring obligations to the people of CNMI, which is part of the U.S. homeland and under U.S. legal and defense protections. 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 Specialist Shannon M. Smith)

U.S. Joint Forces Strengthen Capabilities and Partnerships in Palau During Valiant Shield 24
July 20, 2024 — Joint forces with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, allies and partners concluded the tenth iteration of exercise Valiant Shield, June 18, 2024, following 12 days of multilateral operations in Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Republic of Palau, and at sea around the Mariana Island Range Complex... MORE

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Stephanie Davis, a communication strategy and operations officer with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) helps a child try on a Kevlar helmet during a military equipment exposition as part of exercise Valiant Shield 24 at Palau International Airport, Airai, Palau.

Future Army leaders visit ROK Army cadet school during CTLT
July 19, 2024 — Each summer, Eighth Army hosts scores of cadets from the United States Military Academy at West Point and various ROTC programs as part of the Cadet Troop Leader Training program... MORE

A U.S. Army and Republic of Korea Army cadet conduct light infantry training at the ROK Army Cadet Military School in Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, July 17, 2024.

Seventh Air Force conducts F-16 Super Squadron test to optimize combat capability
July 19, 2024 — Seventh Air Force has begun initial aircraft and personnel movements for a temporary shift in U.S. F-16 placement on the Korean peninsula as part of a test intended to optimize combat capability and increase readiness in support of the ROK-U.S. Alliance and the larger Indo-Pacific region... MORE

U.S. Coast Guard, Peruvian, Mexican partners collaborate on first urban search and rescue operations in Exercise RIMPAC 2024
July 19, 2024 — Members from the U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team, the Peruvian Naval Infantry and the Mexican Navy collaborated for three days of combined training, simulated search and rescue coordination and survivor extraction and triage as part of the humanitarian assistance and disaster response component of RIMPAC... MORE

Peruvian marines assigned to Combat Engineering Battalion conduct an urban search and rescue training exercise with the U.S. Coast Guard at Marine Corps Base Hawaii during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC), July 12.

U.S. Air Force brings premier combat jet to Exercise Pitch Black 24
July 18, 2024 — With the soft light of dawn illuminating the vast Northern Territory of Australia, the gentle rustle of eucalyptus leaves in the warm breeze, and the distant calls of kookaburras breaking the calm silence, another morning at Exercise Pitch Black 24 begins... MORE

Singapore, Thailand and U.S. Navies commence CARAT Thailand 2024
July 18, 2024 — The Royal Thai Navy (RTN), Royal Singapore Navy (RSN), and U.S. Navy began exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2024 in Sattahip, July 18, 2024... MORE

Members from the United States Navy, Royal Thai Navy, and Royal Singapore Navy stand at attention during the opening ceremony of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Thailand 2024, Sattahip, Thailand, July 18, 2024.

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility Welcomes ASC Personnel
July 18, 2024 — Twenty-eight ASC Pty Ltd [formerly known as the Australian Submarine Corporation] personnel began training at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, as part of the Australia, United Kingdom and United States (AUKUS) enhanced trilateral security partnership this week... MORE

wenty-eight ASC [formerly known as the Australian Submarine Corporation] personnel pose for a photo at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility (PHNSY & IMF), Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 16, 2024.

United States-Japan-Republic of Korea Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Joint Press Statement
July 18, 2024 — U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., Japan Chief of Staff, Joint Staff Gen. YOSHIDA Yoshihide, and Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Kim Myung-soo convened a Trilateral Chiefs of Defense Meeting on July 18, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan... MORE

Successful conclusion of Humanitarian Assistance, Disaster Relief training at RIMPAC 2024
July 18, 2024 — The Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) portion of the multinational joint exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 has come to a successful close, July 15. HADR is a military cooperation that aims to save lives, reduce suffering, and resolve emergencies during natural disasters... MORE

Participants from eight nations pose for a photo, July 15, to mark the end of the Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drill as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024.

U.S., Philippine Forces Execute Joint Maritime Security Training Exercise
July 17, 2024 — For decades, the Sulu Archipelago, a collection of three main provinces in the southern Philippines, has served as a primary route for trafficking, illegal fishing, and smuggling illicit materials into the country. The islands create a seam between the Celebes and Sulu Seas, ending less than 50 miles from Malaysia. The area contains two vital sea lanes to the Philippines, the Sibutu Passage and the Basilan Strait... MORE

Philippine Special Forces soldiers conduct Visit, Board, Search and Seizure drills during a Joint Maritime Security Training Exercise off the coast of Jolo Island, Philippines, April 16, 2024.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
July 17, 2024 — Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. spoke by phone today... MORE

U.S., Australia, Philippines, U.K. begin Exercise Predator’s Run 24 in Northern Territory
July 17, 2024 — U.S. Marines and Sailors with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force arrived at Mount Bundey Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia on July 15, 2024, to commence Exercise Predator’s Run 24... MORE

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3 stand at attention during the opening ceremony of Exercise Predator’s Run 24 at Robertson Barracks, NT, Australia, July 15, 2024.

U.S. and Philippine Coast Guards conduct bilateral search and rescue exercise
July 17, 2024 — The U.S. Coast Guard and the Philippine Coast Guard joined together to conduct a bilateral U.S.-Philippine search and rescue exercise in the South China Sea, July 16... MORE

U.S. Coast Guardsmen, assigned to U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL-751), pass honors to members of the Philippine Coast Guard, assigned to Philippine Coast Guard Vessel Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702), during a bilateral search and rescue exercise in the South China Sea, July 16, 2024.

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche visits Cam Ranh, Vietnam
July 17, 2024 — U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Waesche (WMSL 751) departed Cam Ranh, Vietnam Friday following multiple engagements with the Vietnam Coast Guard, Vietnam People’s Navy, representatives from the U.S Navy’s 7th Fleet, the 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) and dignitaries from the U.S. and Vietnam... MORE

U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Tyson Scofield, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751), shakes hands with leadership from the Vietnamese People’s Army during a reception at the Cam Ranh International Port in Vietnam, July 8, 2024.