News

2ID/RUCD Completes Combined Live Fire with ROK Army During Freedom Shield
March 14, 2024 — As part of Freedom Shield 2024, the U.S. Army 2nd Infantry Division/ROK-U.S. Combined Division (2ID/RUCD) and the Capital Mechanized Infantry Division (CMID) of the Republic of Korea army, demonstrated combined combat capabilities through various joint maneuvers and gunnery exercises at Seung-Jin Range in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea, March 8-14, 2024... MORE

A U.S. Army Assault Breaching Vehicle from the 55th Combat Engineer Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, executes an obstacle breaching operation in coordination with the ROK Army during Freedom Shield, South Korea, March 14, 2024. In support of the Armistice Agreement, Freedom Shield 24 underscores the enduring military partnership between the ROK and the U.S. It reinforces the role of the Alliance as the linchpin for regional peace and security, reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the United States to defend the Republic of Korea. (U.S. Army photo by Kim, Ji Hun)

U.S.-Japan soar through heavy winds for Airborne 24
March 14, 2024 — As dawn approached on the brisk morning of March 7, relentless winds echoed over the flightline of Yokota Air Base, Japan. The stage was set for Airborne 24, as nearly half of the 374th Airlift Wing’s C-130J Super Hercules fleet, U.S. Army jumpmasters and approximately 300 Japan Ground Self-Defense Force paratroopers geared up to execute the world’s largest bilateral static-line jump exercise... MORE

C-130Js transport paratroopers to a drop zone for static-line jump training during Airborne 24.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Travels to the Philippines
March 13, 2024 — Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited the Philippines March 10-14, 2024, where he met with Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., along with other senior government and military leaders... MORE

Gen. Romeo Brawner, Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff (right), and Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, participate in an honors ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, on March 12, 2024. The visit included exchanges on regional security and mutual partnership, further developing the strategic partnership with the Philippines codified in the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty. 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)

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call with Japanese Minister of Defense Kihara Minoru
March 13, 2024 — Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout... MORE

Working Groups Build Capacity and Develop Capabilities with Allies and Partners Across Indo-Pacific
March 13, 2024 — More than 450 security cooperation stakeholders and international partners gathered at Camp Withycombe, OR, for U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s (USINDOPACOM) combined Capabilities Development Working Group (CDWG) and Security Cooperation Education and Training Working Group (SCETWG) from Feb. 26-March 1, 2024... MORE

USS Annapolis Port Visit in Perth, Australia
March 12, 2024 — USS Annapolis (SSN 760) arrived in HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia Sunday... MORE

U.S. Army Assault Helicopters Conduct Deck Landings on USNS Dahl
March 12, 2024 — Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade (2-2 CAB) conducted deck landings with U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters on prepositioning ship USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), March 7... MORE

Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade exit a U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter after single-spot deck-landing qualifications on prepositioning ship USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), March 7. (Courtesy photo)

U.S. Coast Guard member safely evacuated in joint operation with Navy's HSC-25 near Guam
March 12, 2024 — On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) effectively evacuated a Coast Guard member from the USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10), 100 nautical miles south of Guam, in a joint effort... MORE

On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) effectively evacuated a U.S. Coast Guard member from the USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10), 100 nautical miles south of Guam, in a joint effort. The incident began on March 5, when the Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam received a communication from the Polar Star crew regarding a 43-year-old man aboard experiencing severe abdominal pain. Recognizing the need for urgent medical attention beyond the capabilities available on ship, watchstanders directed the cutter to reroute closer to Guam and initiate a medical evacuation. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Graves)

Annapolis Visits Australia
March 11, 2024 — USS Annapolis (SSN 760) arrived in HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia Sunday... MORE

ROCKINGHAM, Western Australia (March 10, 2024) – U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) prepare the submarine to moor alongside Diamantina Pier at Fleet Base West in Rockingham, Western Australia, March 10, 2024. The nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarine is in HMAS Stirling for the second visit by a fast-attack submarine to Australia since the announcement of the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) Optimal Pathway in March 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaitlyn E. Eads)

Joint exercise Cobra Gold 24 concludes furthering multinational relationships and interoperability
March 11, 2024 — This year’s Cobra Gold, the paramount joint multinational military exercise in Southeast Asia, successfully concluded after two weeks of intensive training, humanitarian efforts and cultural exchanges... MORE

U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Chosin Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, and members of the 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment Royal Thai Army conduct squad movement techniques at a small arms range during Exercise Cobra Gold 24, Feb. 29, 2024, in Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand. The multilateral exercise strengthens regional relationships and enhances interoperability among Allies and partners through shared experiences and rigorous training. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Effie Mahugh, 7th Infantry Division)

U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Travels to Singapore
March 10, 2024 — SINGAPORE — Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Singapore on an overseas trip from March 6 to 10, to increase shared understanding of regional challenges and... MORE

Singapore Minister of Defence Dr. Ng Eng Hen (left) presents Adm. John C. Aquilino, Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, with the Pingat Jasa Gemilang (Tentera) or Meritorious Service Medal (Military) at the Ministry of Defence headquarters in Singapore on March 7, 2024. Signed by Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the award was given for “substantive contributions toward enhancing the strong and longstanding defence relationship between the United States and Singapore” and highlighted Aquilino’s role in increasing regional capacity building efforts, deepening people-to-people ties through inclusivity, and expanding cooperation in the digital domain. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Shannon M. Smith)

Freedom Shield 24 begins
March 8, 2024 — The ROK and U.S. are conducting Freedom Shield 2024, an 11-day exercise set to reflect the Korea Theater of Operations – a combined, joint, multi-domain, and interagency operating environment. The exercise began March 4 and continues through March 14, 2024... MORE

Senior leaders from the U.S. 7th Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force gather for a group photo during a Freedom Shield 24 Battle Field Circulation visit from ROK Gen. Kang, Shin Chul, Combined Forces Command deputy commander, at Osan Air Base, ROK, March 6, 2024.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Hosts the Defense Senior Enlisted Leader Council
March 8, 2024 — U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) hosted the Defense Senior Enlisted Leader Council (DSELC) in Honolulu, Hawaii, March 4-6, 2024... MORE

U.S. Navy Fleet Master Chief David Isom, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command senior enlisted leader (CSEL), answers questions about warfighting, leadership perspectives on readiness, and the Total Force structure at an All Call at the Bloch Arena, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, Hawaii, Mar. 5, 2024. The SEAC convened the Winter 2024 DSELC in Hawaii for top U.S. Armed Forces Enlisted leaders to engage in significant issues like Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, the Joint Command Senior Enlisted Nominative process, as well as the warfighting and support capabilities of members’ commands in the Joint Force environment.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Randi Brown)

Andersen AFB hosts ADA Senior Leader Seminar
March 7, 2024 — Members of the U.S. Air Force, Indonesian Air Force, Philippine Air Force, Royal Malaysian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force came together to participate in the Regional Air Domain Awareness Senior Leader Seminar on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, from Feb. 26 – Mar. 1, 2024... MORE

Members of the U.S. Air Force, Philippine Air Force and Royal Malaysian Air Force listen to briefings during the Regional Air Domain Awareness Senior Leader Seminar on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Feb. 26, 2024. Throughout the seminar, leaders discussed air domain strategies, policies, terminology and also developed a network of Allies and partners that have a shared understanding of air domain awareness. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Spencer Perkins)

Readout of Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner's Meeting with Papua New Guinea's Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso
March 6, 2024 — Department of Defense Spokesman LTC Marty Meiners provided the following readout... MORE

USAF F-35s integrate with Singapore forces
March 6, 2024 — U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs participated in bilateral training with Republic of Singapore Air Force at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore for the first time March 4 – 7... MORE

U.S. and Singapore forces conduct bilateral training

7th Fleet Destroyer transits Taiwan Strait
March 5, 2024 — The Arleigh-Burke guided missile class destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) conducted a routine south-to-north Taiwan Strait transit on March 5, 2024... MORE

TAIWAN STRAIT (March 5, 2024) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) conducts routine operations during a Taiwan Strait transit, March 5. John Finn is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Stack)

U.S. Coast Guard conduct combined patrol with Marshallese partners under Operation Blue Pacific
March 5, 2024 — Following efforts with Kiribati partners, the USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew recently concluded the next leg of their expeditionary patrol from Feb. 20 to 27, 2024, spending time in Majuro, Wotje Atoll, and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) working with partners, underscoring commitment to maritime security and international cooperation regionally... MORE

The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew take a moment for a photo with members of the Sea Patrol on Feb. 22, 2024, in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Underway in support of Operation Blue Pacific, the cutter crew showcased the effectiveness of the U.S. and RMI maritime bilateral agreement, conducting a shared patrol with shipriders emphasizing collaborative efforts in maritime safety, security, and stewardship in terms of resource protection. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

U.S. Air Force strengthens ties, bolster tactical airlift interoperability in exercise with Bangladesh Air Force
March 5, 2024 — Nearly 80 U.S. Air Force service members and two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (EAS) integrated with Bangladesh for the bilateral tactical airlift exercise, Cope South 2024 (CS24) at Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) Bangabandhu Cantonment, Dhaka and Operating Location-Alpha, Sylhet, Bangladesh, Feb. 19 to 28... MORE

The United States, Nepal Conclude Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise Shanti Prayas IV
March 4, 2024 — Nepal and the United States conducted the closing ceremony of exercise Shanti Prayas IV at Birendra Peace Operations Training Centre, Panchkhal, Nepal, Mar. 4, 2024... MORE

Combined service members from 18 countries participate in the closing ceremony of Exercise Shanti Prayas IV at the Birendra Peace Operations Centre parade field on March 4, 2024. Shanti Prayas IV is a multinational peacekeeping exercise sponsored by the Nepali Army and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and is the latest in a series of exercises designed to support peacekeeping operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl John Hall)