Brigadier General Michael L. Smith

USS America (LHA 6) Conducts Flight Operation

Jun 24 2025

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TASMAN SEA (June 20, 2025) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Rebekah Hood, from Gilbert, Arizona, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) directs an MH-60S Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 on the flight deck of the America while conducting flight operations in the Tasman Sea, June 20. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth Melseth)

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USS John Finn departs Yokosuka

Jun 24 2025

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YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, Japan (June 21, 2025) — Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) take in a line on the fo’c’sle during a sea and anchor detail in Yokosuka, Japan, June 21. 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 Alexandria Esteban)

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Salaknib 25 | Operation Maneuver

Jun 23 2025

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PHILIPPINES (June 24, 2025) — U.S. Army Soldiers from the Transformation in Contact enabled 2nd MBDE, 25th Infantry Division train alongside their Philippine 5th Infantry Division Partners in Operational Maneuver in Northern Luzon, Philippines, June 17, 2025. Salaknib 2025 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Noe Cork)

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USS George Washington conducts flight operations in Philippine Sea

Jun 23 2025

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U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (June 19, 2025) — An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, lines up on a catapult on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 19, 2025. The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWA CSG) is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)

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U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

Jun 17 2025

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U.S. 7TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (June 16, 2025) — Sailors signal for an F/A-18F to launch off the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 16, 2025. The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWA CSG) is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)

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31st MEU | Live-fire deck shoot aboard USS San Diego

Jun 16 2025

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TIMOR SEA (June 12, 2025) — A U.S. Marine with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, tests his L3Harris Binocular Night Vision Device (PVS-31) during a night live-fire deck shoot aboard amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22), in the Timor Sea, June 12, 2025. Marines conducted various drills in order to refine and improve weapons familiarity and marksmanship proficiency. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Raul Sotovilla)

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George Washington Conducts Helicopter Operations

Jun 16 2025

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PHILIPPINE SEA (June 15, 2025) — Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Jeremy Valdez from Kaneohe, Hawaii, assigned to the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, looks down at Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) in an MH-60S Seahawk while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 15, 2025. The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWA CSG) is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Geoffrey L. Ottinger)

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Khaan Quest kicks off with an opening ceremony

Jun 16 2025

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FIVE HILLS TRAINING AREA, MONGOLIA (June 14, 2025) — U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to 11th Military Police Brigade, 200th Military Police Command, march during the opening ceramony for Khaan Quest 2025, on June 14, 2025, at Five Hills Training Area, Mongolia. Khaan Quest is an annual, multinational and multicomponent training exercise led by the Mongolia Armed Forces designed to promote regional peace and security. (U.S. Army photo by Staff. Sgt. Tristan Moore)

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USS Annapolis (SSN 760) returns to Naval Base Guam

Jun 13 2025

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NAVAL BASE GUAM (June 11, 2025) – Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) conduct mooring operations at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam, June 11, 2025. Assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron 15, based at Polaris Point, Naval Base Guam, Annapolis is one of five forward-deployed fast-attack submarines. Renowned for their unparalleled speed, endurance, stealth, and mobility, fast-attack submarines are the backbone of the Navy’s submarine force. Regarded as apex predators of the sea, fast-attack submarines serve at the tip of the spear, helping to reaffirm the submarine force's forward-deployed presence in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. James Caliva)

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USS George Washington conducts flight ops in Philippine Sea

Jun 13 2025

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PHILIPPINE SEA (June 12, 2025) — An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147, approaches a catapult on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) while underway in the Philippine Sea, June 12, 2024. The USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWA CSG) is on patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. George Washington is the U.S. Navy’s premier forward-deployed aircraft carrier, a long-standing symbol of the United States’ commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, while operating alongside allies and partners across the U.S. Navy’s largest numbered fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class August Clawson)

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Nimitz Conducts Flight Operations

Jun 12 2025

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SOUTH CHINA SEA (June 6, 2025) — An F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, June 6, 2025. Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on a scheduled deployment, demonstrating the U.S. Navy's unwavering commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew C. Wolf)

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31st MEU | F-35B Lightning IIs conduct rapid flight operations

Jun 12 2025

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SOLOMON SEA (June 8, 2025) — U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to take off during touch-and-go flight operation drills aboard the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), in the Solomon Sea, June 8, 2025. Marine F-35Bs bring a 5th generation multi-discipline strike capability to support combined-joint all domain operations in key maritime terrain. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the USS America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Peter Rawlins)

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Sailors man the rails aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor

Jun 11 2025

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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM (June 6, 2025) — Sailors man the rails aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), as the ship pulls into Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, June 6, 2025. Tripoli is currently underway in the Pacific Ocean forward deploying to Sasebo, Japan as part of a scheduled rotation of force in the Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Angel Conde)

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Travis AFB sends KC-46 across the Pacific to train with Misawa F-16s

Jun 11 2025

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MISAWA AIR BASE, AOMORI, Japan (June 5, 2025) —U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons assigned to the 14th Fighter Squadron receive fuel from a KC-46A Pegasus assigned to the 60th Air Mobility Wing during an off-station training near Misawa Air Base, June 5, 2025. The training offered an opportunity to strengthen relationships throughout the Indo-Pacific region and increase air refueling capabilities and familiarity with different airfields and operations around that region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Robert Nichols)

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KAMANDAG 9: MRF-D 25.3 and PMC conduct a counter-landing live-fire defense

Jun 10 2025

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PALAWAN, Philippines (June 4, 2025) — Philippine Marines with 3rd Brigade fire a 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft system during a counter-landing live-fire event for KAMANDAG 9 at Quezon, Palawan, Philippines, June 4, 2025. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Anita Ramos)

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Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane Performs joint flight operations with French Navy off the coast of Tahiti

Jun 09 2025

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FRENCH POLYNESIA (May 31, 2025) — A Marine Nationale rescue swimmer descends from a French Navy Flottille 35F AS365 Dauphin helicopter during a joint training exercise between the French Navy and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) on May 31, 2025 off the Coast of Tahiti, French Polynesia. The French Navy regularly conducts Search and Rescue and flight operation trainings with other countries in the Pacific region to maintain readiness and strengthen relationships. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Austin Wiley)

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506th EARS Refuel A-10s across the Pacific

Jun 09 2025

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GUAM (June 7, 2025) — U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II from the 25th Fighter Squadron, Osan Air Force Base, South Korea, fly in formation over Wake Island, June 7, 2025. The A-10 is a twin-engine, straight-wing, subsonic attack aircraft designed for close air support that has been flying for over 53 years. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Audree Campbell)

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Salaknib 25 | Final Assault

Jun 06 2025

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FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines (June 6, 2025) — Philippine Army Soldiers assigned to 71st Infantry Battalion, 702nd Brigade, 7th Infantry Division, move to an objective during Salaknib 25 at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, June 6, 2025. This iteration of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center Exportable (JPMRC-X) during Salaknib II marks the second Combat Training Center (CTC) rotation conducted in the Philippines. As part of the Army's premier regional CTC, JPMRC-X enables the U.S. Army, joint force, allies, and partners to develop skills in realistic environments and conditions. Through exportable capabilities, JPMRC-X strengthens warfighting readiness, enhances multilateral relationships, and contributes to regional security and stability in the Indo-Pacifc. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Matthew Keegan)

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QUART: HMLA-369 Conducts Deck Landing Qualifications Aboard USS Harpers Ferry

Jun 06 2025

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PACIFIC OCEAN (June 3, 2025) — A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper, left, attached to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 369, Marine Aircraft Group 39, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, refuels on the flight deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) during Quarterly Underway Amphibious Readiness Training 25.3 while underway in the Pacific Ocean, June 3, 2025. QUART is a joint training exercise designed to develop and sustain essential amphibious readiness skills for effective operations in maritime environments while reinforcing the Navy-Maine Corps partnership. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Luis Agostini)

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MRF-D 25.3: 2nd Bn., 1st Marines, conduct raid with VMM-363 during Southern Jackaroo

Jun 05 2025

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TOWNSVILLE, QUEENSLAND, Australia (May 30, 2025) — U.S. Marines with 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 25.3, conduct communications checks during Exercise Southern Jackaroo at Townsville Field Training Area, Queensland, Australia, May 30, 2025. Southern Jackaroo is an annual exercise held between the U.S. Marine Corps, Australian Defence Force, and Japanese Ground Self Defense Force designed to enhanced inter-operability and combined readiness with Allies and partners. MRF-D is an annual six-month rotational deployment to enhance interoperability with the Australian Defence Force and allies and partners and provide a forward postured crisis response force in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angelina Sara)

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