U.S. Pacific Command

 

Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group Executes Drills in South China Sea Following PHIBLEX

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 13, 2016) Clockwise from left, the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111), the Military Sealift Command (MSC) ammunition and cargo ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), the guided-missile destroyer USS Decatur (DDG 73), the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), the Military Sealift Command (MSC) fleet oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) steam in formation as part of interoperability drills between the Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) and Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHR ESG) in the South China Sea Sea. The drills are meant to enhance readiness of cruiser-destroyer ships to rapidly integrate with an amphibious task force to provide increased capability for amphibious operations in support of crisis response or disaster relief. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Will Gaskill/Released)
From left: Commander, Combined Forces Command, Gen. Vincent Brooks; ROK Chairman General Sun Jin Lee; Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford; Japanese Chief of Staff Adm. Katsutoshi Kawano; and Commander, U.S. Pacific Command Adm. Harry B. Harris. The senior military leaders met at the Pentagon Oct. 14 to discuss trilateral collaboration in order to respond to increasing North Korean nuclear and missile threats. U.S. Soldiers assigned to C Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, move a casualty toward a designated casualty collection point with their Republic of Korea (ROK) Army Soldier counterparts during a platoon live fire training in March near the demilitarized zone in South Korea. U.S. Marine Corps Gen. Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, hosts an Armed Forces Full Honors Arrival Ceremony in honor of Gen. Sun Jin Lee, Chairman of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Joint Chiefs of Staff, at Whipple Field, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Oct. 13, 2016. Gen. Dunford hosted his ROK counterpart for the 41st ROK - U.S. Military Committee Meeting at the Pentagon. U.S. Sailors and Marines of 3rd Marine Division stand around the cake prior to the cake cutting ceremony for the 241st birthday of the United States Navy, on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Oct. 7, 2016. The 3rd Marine Division celebrates the Navy birthday annually to enhance appreciation of the Navy, its heritage, and to provide a positive influence toward pride and professionalism in the naval service. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph F. Dunford hosted his Republic of Korea counterpart Gen. Lee Sun Jin for the 41st ROK-U.S. Military Committee Meeting at the Pentagon. Both senior military leaders strongly denounced North Korea's nuclear and missile provocations, stating they pose a serious threat to the Korean Peninsula, to the region, and to global peace and stability.
Philippine Air Force C-130 crew members prepare a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft for low-cost, low-altitude airdrop operations with U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Quiason (middle), 36th Airlift Squadron, 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan, during the current iteration of a rotational Air Contingent at Brigadier General Benito N Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines, Oct. 5, 2016. For the exchange, Yokota-based C-130s flew with members of the Philippine Air Force's 220th Airlift Wing, from Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines, and discussed the intricacies of LCLA bundle drops. Two Yokota-based C-130s and crews, members of the 36th Contingency Response Group, Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and other units from across U.S. Pacific Command conducted bilateral training missions and subject matter expert exchanges alongside their Philippine Air Force counterparts. The Air Contingent is helping build the capacity of the Philippine Air Force and increases joint training, promotes interoperability and provides greater and more transparent air and maritime situational awareness to ensure safety for military and civilian activities in international waters and airspace. Its missions include air and maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, and assuring access to the air and maritime domains in accordance with international law. DUTCH HARBOR, Alaska (Oct. 9, 2016) - Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau crew monitors the tow of the disabled 400-foot cargo vessel BBC Colorado in the Gulf of Alaska. The master of BBC Colorado reported a severe engine casualty, restricting their speed and maneuverability with forecasted seas of 30-feet and winds in excess of 50 knots closing in on the its location. Philippine Air Force and civilian Federal Aviation Administration firefighters await under the wing of a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules for their turn to receive instruction on flight deck engine shutdown procedures from U.S. Air Force fire protection specialists during a subject matter expert exchange as part of the current iteration of U.S. Pacific Command’s Air Contingent at Brigadier General Benito N Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City, Philippines, Sept. 26, 2016. The Air Contingent is helping build the capacity of the Philippine Air Force and increases joint training, promotes interoperability and provides greater and more transparent air and maritime situational awareness to ensure safety for military and civilian activities in international waters and airspace. Its missions include air and maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, and assuring access to the air and maritime domains in accordance with international law. CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, Japan -- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Sgt. Imato translates JGSDF rules of engagement to U.S. Marines during the annual Guard and Protect, an observe and exchange event Oct. 6 aboard Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan. The three-day event sharpened U.S. and JGSDF service members’ abilities to defense installations through the observation and exchange of tactical procedures and operational concepts. The training included patrolling, rules of engagement and vehicle search and seizure procedures. TAGUIG CITY, Philippines - U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. John M. Jansen speaks during the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) closing ceremony at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Taguig City, Philippines, Oct. 11, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise that combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. Jansen is the commanding general of 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
In this file photos, Brig. Gen. Thomas C. Graves, deputy commanding general of operations of Eighth Army, and leaders from different branches of military, both U.S. and the Republic of Korea, gathered around the Hill 303 Memorial. The memorial ceremony was a tie-in event to the Battle for Nakdong River Victory Celebration. The Hill 303 Memorial was built to remember the massacre which North Korea perpetrated upon U.S. and ROK prisoners of war. SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 10, 2016) - Petty Officer 1st Class Isaiah King, assigned to the submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40), mans a M2HB machine gun while the ship pulls in to Sasebo, Japan, Oct. 10. Frank Cable is one of two forward-deployed submarine tenders and is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to conduct maintenance and support of deployed U.S. naval force submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. SEOUL, Republic of Korea (Oct. 11, 2016) More than 80 mine-warfare specialists from 12 nations including the U.S. and Republic of Korea (ROK) pose during a break at the annual Mine Countermeasure Warfare Symposium in Seoul. The weeklong symposium, co-hosted by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea and ROK Flotllia 5, is one half of the Combined Mine Warfare event, which also includes exercise Clear Horizon. The symposium was aimed at sharing expertise in mine countermeasure tactics, techniques, and procedures and to explore opportunities for increased multilateral training among navies from the United Nations sending states. U.S. Air Force Col. David Mineau, the 354th Fighter Wing commander, prepares to take off in an F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft after finishing end of runway checks Oct. 10, 2016, during RED FLAG-Alaska (RF-A) 17-1 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. RF-A simulates the first 10 combat sorties of an initial surge during a conflict, enabling pilots to better understand the stresses of the environment. PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 7, 2016) - An MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to the "Golden Falcons" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, flies near the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), following helicopter search-and-rescue training. This training enables real-world proficiency in open-ocean rescue procedure and equipment. Ronald Reagan, the Carrier Strike Group Five (CSG 5) flagship, is on patrol supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Shaun Garvey, sniper platoon sergeant, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, shows soldiers from the Singapore Armed Forces his M40A6 sniper rifle prior to a known distance rifle range as part of Exercise Valiant Mark 2016 at Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. Oct. 1, 2016. This is the 25th year that U.S. Marines and the Singapore Armed Forces have met for Valiant Mark, which improves and maintains a high level of interoperability, enhanced military to military relations and to enriches mutual combat capabilities through combined training. BUSAN, Republic of Korea -- More than 300 Navy supporters in Busan listen to a birthday message from Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, commander, U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) and USFK's Command Sgt. Maj. Steven L. Payton during the 241st Navy birthday celebration. This year’s theme, “America’s Sailor: Tough, Bold, and Ready,” honors the service of Sailors since the U.S. Navy’s birth on October 13, 1775. Soldiers of the 605th Transportation Detachment, who were deployed in support of Pacific Pathways 16-3, were welcomed home during a ceremony October 8 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam. Pacific Pathways 16-3 is the third iteration of the U.S. Army Pacific concept for deploying of U.S. Army enablers in the Indo-Asia Pacific Area of Responsibility in existing security cooperation exercises and engagements linked together into a deliberate, sequenced operation pattern. U.S. Army reservists with the 414th Military Police Company headquartered in Joplin, MO, raise their right hands and recite the law enforcement officer oath after completing their law enforcement integration and certification training held Sept. 4-28 and provided by U.S. Army MP Soldiers from the 728th MP Battalion, 8th MP Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 8th Fighter Wing are parked outside of their hanger bays during Beverly Pack 17-1 at Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Oct. 4, 2016. The U.S. Air Force and Republic of Korea Air Force provide combat capabilities and training by performing exercises throughout the year to enhance communication and interoperability between military forces so they are prepared to fight as a combined force.
U.S. members of the Joint Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (JHAST) board an MV-22 Osprey aircraft during Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) Oct. 2, 2016. PHIBLEX is a bilateral training exercise designed to improve the interoperability, readiness and professional relationships between the U.S. Marine Corps and partner nations. Sailors deploy an inflatable target (killer tomato) in preparation for a live fire exercise aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen (DDG 92). The guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG 111), USS Decatur (DDG 73) and Momsen are deployed in support of maritime security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific as part of a U.S. 3rd Fleet Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) under Commander, Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 31. TAGUIG CITY, Philippines (Oct. 4, 2016) - U.S. and Philippine service members salute their respective flags during the Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise 33 (PHIBLEX) opening ceremony at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Taguig City, Philippines, Oct. 4, 2016. PHIBLEX is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise which combines amphibious capabilities and live-fire training with humanitarian civic assistance efforts to strengthen interoperability and working relationships. The U.S. Marines are with 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force. Secretary of Defense Ash Carter greets Australian Minister of Industry, Innovation and Science, Christopher Pyne during an honor cordon at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., Oct. 5, 2016. U.S Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson announces the resumption of AV-8B Harrier flight operations in Japan during a press conference Oct. 5, 2016 on Camp Foster, Okinawa, Japan following a Harrier mishap that occurred approximately 115 nautical miles off the coast of Okinawa, Sept. 22, 2016. III Marine Expeditionary Force directed an operational pause following the incident. Squadrons and maintenance personnel reviewed their standard operating procedures, safety of flight procedures, technical procedures, inspecting material readiness and host of other activities during the pause in operations. It was determined that all squadron aircraft have been found safe to resume flights, Oct. 7.
WAHSINGTON - Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley and Sgt.Maj. of the Army Daniel A. Dailey shake hands with Soldiers dressed in uniforms of previous conflicts during the opening ceremony of the Association of the U.S. Army Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, Oct. 3, 2016. YOKOTA AIR BASE, Japan (Oct. 6, 2016) - Adm. Harry B. Harris, commander of U.S. Pacific Command, left, Gen. Terrence J. O’Shaughnessy, commander of Pacific Air Forces, Lt. Gen. Jerry Martinez renders honors during presentation of the Colors. Martinez assumed the responsibilities as commander of USFJ and the 5th Air Force. 161003-N-TH560-391 Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE 11), left, conducts a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), while amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD 20) conducts a fueling at sea with Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO 193), Oct. 3, 2016. Bonhomme Richard, flagship of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, is operating in the South China Sea in support of security and stability in the Indo-Asia Pacific region. A Soldier from 1-1CAV out of Fort Hood, TX loads his ruck sack during airfield operations supported by 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command. U.S. Alaska Air National Guard Master Sgt. Leo Claunan, pararescuman assigned with the 212th Rescue Squadron and members of the Mongolian National Emergency Management Agency, respond to a disaster scenario during a Disaster Management Leadership Seminar in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Sept. 20, 2016. The five-day seminar is a subject matter expert exchange between the U.S. and Mongolia. The Mongolia National Emergency Management Agency hosted the exchange, partnering with U.S. service members from Special Operations Command, Pacific. The participants exchanged information on a variety of topics including disaster response management, human rights, displaced persons, incident command system, mass casualty incident management, crisis communication and vehicle extrication.
In this file photo, members of the 7th Korean Service Corps, U.S. Army Materiel Support Command - Korea, 19th Expeditionary Sustainment Command load Multiple Launch Rocket Systems belonging to Battery A,6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery Regiment, 210th Field Artillery Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, onto Heavy Equipment Transport System April 19, 2016. 7th KSC assisted Soldiers load and secure several MLRSs onto their trucks before reaching their final destination at Rodriguez Live Fire Range Complex. Littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) steams in close formation as one of 40 ships and submarines representing 13 international partner nations during Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971. USS Frank Cable File Photo: Sailors assigned to the submarine tender(AS 40), man the rails while pulling into Colombo, Sri Lanka. The visit is aimed at building friendship and goodwill between the U.S. and the people of Sri Lanka. Frank Cable is one of two forward-deployed submarine tenders and is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to conduct maintenance and support of deployed U.S. naval force submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. Lance Cpl. Sean Clancy, a squad leader with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, and a Hampshire, Illinois native, provides security from a rooftop during Exercise Island Viper aboard Marine Corps Training Area Bellows, Sept. 29, 2016. Exercise Island Viper is a 3-week-long battalion level training evolution workup that focuses on sharpening the infantry skills of the individual, team and squad. The 5th round of Bangladesh-United States Security Dialogue was held in Dhaka, Oct. 2, 2016. Mr. Kamrul Ahsan, Additional Foreign Secretary (Bilateral and Consular) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Bangladesh delegation comprising representatives from different Ministries and concerned Government organizations.
MORE PHOTOS

Philippine and U.S. Service Members Strengthen Partnerships, Improve Disaster Response (U.S. Embassy in the Philippines)

Dunfords Praise Military Family Group for Building Support Network (DoD)

USFJ & 5th Air Force Assumption of Command - Video (AFN)

North Korea Concerns Drive Pacific Partnerships (DEFENSE NEWS) 

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