Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Cmdr. Kentaro Sakabe, executive officer of the Akizuki-class destroyer JS Suzutsuki (DD 117), top right, and JMSDF Petty Officer 1st Class Takafumi Nakamura, assigned to the Asahi-class destroyer JS Asahi (DD 119), center, observe operations during an anti-submarine warfare exercise in the sonar control room aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG 69) during Annual Exercise (ANNUALEX) 19. Milius is participating in ANNUALEX 19, a bilateral exercise which further develops coordination and interoperability of the premier alliance between the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

A ship's crane on the USNS Mendonca offloads a Chinook helicopter during port operations at Pearl Harbor on Nov. 13, 2019.

Aircrew assigned to the 17th Special Operations Squadron, 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Japan, fly an MC-130J Commando II over the Pacific Ocean during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. Launching from Guam, two MC-130J Commando II aircraft with Global Access Special Tactics teams onboard rapidly established and controlled landing zones capable of facilitating additional forces at both Wake Island and Kwajalein Atoll in the same night. These special operations missions demonstrate the 353rd SOG’s ability to deploy forces anytime, anyplace throughout the Pacific.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has completed phase one and two construction of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), officially turning over major portions of the 4.9 million dollar medical and educational facility to Lao Ministry of Health leads in a ribbon cutting ceremony today, Nov, 14, 2019. Pictured, Pacific Ocean Division Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Thomas Tickner (center) stands in front of the newly unveiled facility, standing alongside a senior Lao Ministry of Health official, whole holding a token of appreciation. To the right, U.S. Embassy in Laos Deputy Chief of Mission, Colin Crosby, poses with the group. The five-acre multi-purpose campus, includes collaboration with USACE, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), U.S. Agency for International Development, the Oregon Health and Science University, as well as with the Lao Ministry of Health, who maintains operation and maintenance of the facility. This is the largest Humanitarian Assistance construction joint effort funded by U.S. INDOPACOM.

Master Sgt. Lissy Singleton, Pacific Air Forces in-service recruiter, supports all Airmen assigned to Kunsan and Osan Air Bases in the Republic of Korea. Singleton recruits and assists separating Active-Duty members and informs them of the Air Force Reserve’s benefits.

Chief of Maritime Staff Adm. Hiroshi Yamamura, left, First Sea Lord Adm. Tony Radakin, and Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday sign a Trilateral Head of Navy Joint Statement aboard the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08). The trilateral cooperation agreement reaffirms the three countries’ commitment to increased collaboration and cooperation.

Sailors from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC-25) the “Island Knights” perform a medical evacuation mission at sea from aboard a Hong Kong-flagged vessel for a Chinese national in medical distress in the vicinity of Guam, Nov, 20, 2019. HSC-25 provided life-saving medical care while transporting the patient to Guam Memorial Hospital. The “Island Knights” provide search-and-rescue, medical evacuation, and multi-mission capabilities to 7th Fleet area of operation.

A UH-60 Black Hawk flares before landing with armed escort from an AH-64 Apache during infiltration operations for a Fire Support Coordination Exercise on Pohakuloa Training Area, located on the big island of Hawaii, November 12 through 21, 2019. During the exercise, members of the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron and U.S. Army Pacific 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, integrated with B-52 Stratofortress bombers for live-fire training missions in support of Indo-Pacific Command’s Continuous Bomber Presence operations

Able Seaman Genaro Cuico, a Military Sealift Command civilian mariner assigned to the submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), prepares to toss a line to the pier as the ship prepares to moor at Subic Bay, Philippines, Nov. 18. Land is in Subic Bay for a scheduled port visit to conduct a series of inspections for Land's Fleet Maintenance Activity Assessment.

From left, Master Sgt. Joy McCammon, 718th Force Support Squadron casualty operations section chief, Staff Sgt. Alexander Nestle, 18th Communications Squadron software development supervisor, and Tech. Sgt. Christopher Sills, 18th CS NCO in charge of application development, stand for a photo at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 19, 2019. They are part of the PRAS team named as one of two U.S. Pacific Air Forces Spark Tank nominees to compete at the Air Force level.

Official U.S. Navy file photo of USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) that represents the U.S. Navy at the Exercise Pacific Vanguard. ** The guided missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and Royal Australian Navy frigate HMAS Parramatta (FFH 154) sail with 15 other U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force ships in formation during Talisman Sabre 2019. Talisman Sabre 2019 illustrates the closeness of the Australian and U.S. alliance and the strength of the military-to-military relationship. This is the eighth iteration of this exercise. **

Gen. CQ Brown Jr. Pacific Air Forces commander, listens to a question from an Airman during an all-call at Yokota Air Base, Japan, November 14, 2019. During his visit, Brown spent two days with Yokota's Airmen, discussing the vital role Yokota Air Base plays in maintaining regional security and stability.

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday delivers remarks during the 39th Annual Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale Leadership Award Ceremony. The award is presented annually to two commissioned officers on active duty, below the grade of captain, who are in command of a single ship, submarine, aviation squadron or operational warfare unit at the time of nomination.

Alaska Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Eduardo Peguero, 176th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment technician, checks the lines on a parachute at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, Nov. 14, 2019. The AFE Guardian Angel Section supports Alaska’s rescue mission by preparing parachutes and maintaining the equipment needed to deploy pararescuemen as an emergency response.

During his visit on Nov. 19, 2019, Secretary Mark T. Esper visited the Manila American Cemetery, met with Secretary of National Defense Delfin Lorenzana, and Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teodoro Locsin, Jr.

GEN. Paul J. LaCamera, Commander U.S. Army Pacific, receives a spent Howitzer shell cannister during the Assumption of Command ceremony, on Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, Nov, 18, 2019.

The Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) transits San Diego Bay. Lake Erie returned to San Diego after a deployment to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleet areas of operations in support of security and stability.

Airmen assigned to the 320th Special Tactics Squadron jump from a 17th Special Operations Squadron MC-130J Commando II during military freefall training at Kwajalein Atoll Nov. 16, 2019. The jump training was an essential part of Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1. The 353rd SOG Airmen conducted additional proficiency training to capitalize on the opportunity to hone military freefall jump capabilities.

Forward Air Refueling Point Airmen assigned to the 18th Wing, Kadena Air Base, Japan, perform refueling operations on Wake Island, Wake Atoll, during Exercise Gryphon Pacific 20-1, Nov. 15, 2019. The Airmen were attached to the 353rd Special Operations Squadron during the exercise. The purpose of Gryphon Pacific 20-1 was to employ lethal, agile, resilient forces throughout the United States Indo-Pacific area of responsibility. This was accomplished by conducting long-range expeditionary basing operations within a high threat environment.

Mike McCord, Scan Eagle site lead, and Technician Dwight Smith recover a Small Unmanned Aerial System or drone aboard USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752), in the Pacific, Oct. 31, 2019. The cutter's crew spent half of 2019 underway in support of joint operations in the Pacific.