USA: US, Indonesian navies meet for annual CARAT exercise

From Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SURABAYA, Indonesia - The U.S. and Indonesian navies will come together for the 23rd Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) bilateral exercise and skills exchange, Sept. 7-13.

The exercise will take place on the ground in Surabaya and in the waters and airspace of the Java and Bali Seas. The training is aimed at deepening maritime security cooperation between the U.S. and Indonesia.

"As maritime nations with shared values and common strategic interests, the United States and Indonesia enjoy a comprehensive and growing naval partnership based on mutual respect," said Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, commander, Task Force 73. "The United States respects Indonesia's role as a regional leader in maritime security and we want to help Indonesia enhance its ability to preserve stability and protect its resources. CARAT deepens our maritime partnership and has served as a critical building block of trust, familiarity and friendship with our Indonesian partners for more than 23 years. We see mutual benefits whenever our navies work together."

More than 300 U.S. Sailors and Marines will participate in CARAT Indonesia alongside their counterparts from the Indonesian Navy, known as Tentera Nasional Indonesia - Angkatan Laut (TNI-AL). The exercise will feature complex at-sea training in surface warfare, visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) anti-piracy drills, a gunnery exercise, and maritime patrol operations.

USA: USS Lake Erie completes relief mission in Sri Lanka

From Destroyer Squadron 7 Public Affairs

Fire Controlman 2nd Class Jason McEntire works with Sri Lankan Marines to repair levees during humanitarian assistance operations, June 12. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka -U.S. Sailors from the guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) completed their contributions to the humanitarian assistance mission in Sri Lanka, June 17.

More than 400 Sailors participated in the mission in Sri Lanka, where recent heavy rainfalls brought by a southwest monsoon triggered flooding and landslides throughout the country, displacing thousands of people and causing significant damage to homes and buildings.

"Our mission here was straight-forward, to provide support and relief efforts to our friends in Sri Lanka who were impacted by this disaster," said Capt. Alexis T. Walker, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. "Working alongside Sailors and Marines from the Sri Lankan Armed Forces, our team conducted irrigation repairs, well rehabilitation and levee repairs throughout the region. I'm proud of our efforts this week and the assistance we were able to provide."

News Story: Philippines, US navies hold joint maritime training in Cebu

MANILA, Philippines — The naval forces of the Philippines and the United States on Monday kicked off its joint maritime training activity in the vicinity of Cebu.

The Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama from June 19 to 25 seeks to enhance the complexity and diversity of training opportunities while strengthening the Philippines-US alliance.

The activity will focus on mutual security concerns such as piracy and sea smuggling, maritime domain awareness and patrol and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness.

"We thank the Philippine Navy and the people of the Philippines for being gracious hosts and we look forward to enhancing our professional ties in meaningful ways that benefit both nations," Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, commander of Task Force 73, said.

Gabrielson added that the joint training would be an opportunity to deepen the US Navy's long-time maritime partnership with the Philippine Navy.

Commodore Loumer Bernabe, commander of the Naval Forces Central of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, said that the training will strengthen relationships and partnerships in maritime cooperation.

"We are honored to work with the U.S. Navy during this Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama," Bernabe said.

"Sama-sama," a Filipino word which means "together" is the central theme of the training both at sea and ashore.

Read the full story at PhilStar

USA: CARAT Thailand concludes bilateral training, operations at sea

From Destroyer Squadron 7 Public Affairs

Littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) sails in formation with ships from the Royal Thai Navy as part of a division tactics exercise during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Thailand, June 3. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Deven Leigh Ellis) >>

SATTAHIP, Thailand - After eight days of bilateral training events ashore and at sea, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) concluded the 23rd-annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise, at Sattahip Naval Base in Thailand, June 6.

As the premier naval engagement in South and Southeast Asia, CARAT provides a regional venue to address shared maritime security priorities, enhance interoperability among participating forces, and develop sustained naval partnerships with nations across South and Southeast Asia. The Royal Thai Navy has been a participant in the CARAT series since the exercises began in 1995.

"Over the past eight days our Sailors and Marines worked side-by-side with their Thai counterparts in conducting a variety of training events ashore and operations at sea," said Capt. Alexis Walker, deputy commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. "Through 23 years of operating together, CARAT exercises allow us to incorporate new training topics and sea-based operations each year, furthering our interoperability and joint capabilities."

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 mission draws to a close

By Lt.j.g Emily Wilkin, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) arrives in Da Nang, Vietnam, May 8 for Pacific Partnership. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

SINGAPORE - Pacific Partnership 2017, embarked aboard USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) arrived in Singapore May 31, marking the conclusion of this year’s mission.

Fall River departed Singapore on March 4 and served as the command platform for the Pacific Partnership 2017 mission. Pacific Partnership is the largest annual, multilateral disaster response preparedness mission in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

“Pacific Partnership 2017 gave us the chance to build lasting partnerships and friendships with all of the countries we visited. These partnerships will allow us to be better prepared to work together in the future.” said Captain Stanfield Chien, Pacific Partnership 2017 mission commander.

Pacific Partnership 2017 conducted mission stops in three countries – Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam and was the first Pacific Partnership completed solely utilizing a T-EPF vessel, vice the USNS Mercy.

USA: Pacific Partnership concludes in Nha Trang, Vietnam

By Lt.j.g. Emily Wilkin, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

Lt. Cmdr. Justin Dye of Navy Medical Center San Diego examines neurological injury patients with local doctors at Khahn Hoa General Hospital, May 22. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

KHANH HOA, Vietnam - Pacific Partnership 2017 departed from Nha Trang, Vietnam on May 29 after completing 10 days of disaster response training, medical and engineering subject matter expert exchanges, cooperative health engagements, and community service events.

This year marks the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time the mission has visited Vietnam in the past 11 years. In addition to the team aboard expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), the Nha Trang mission also featured sailors from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s destroyers JS Izumo and JS Sazanami.

USA: CARAT 2017 series begins, strengthening maritime partnerships, cooperation

From Task Force 73 Public Affairs

In this file photo, USS Stethem (DDG 63) and ships from the Royal Thai Navy break formation following a maneuvering exercise during CARAT Thailand 2016. (U.S. Marine Corps/Lance Cpl. Carl King Jr.) >>

SATTAHIP, Thailand - The 23rd annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise series commenced in Sattahip, Thailand, May 29, between the Royal Thai Navy and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

As the premier naval engagement in South and Southeast Asia, CARAT provides a regional venue to address shared maritime security priorities, enhance interoperability among participating forces, and develop sustained naval partnerships with nations across South and Southeast Asia. The Royal Thai Navy has been a participant in the CARAT series since the exercises began in 1995.

"Our engagement through CARAT provides the U.S. and Thailand an opportunity to strengthen our alliance and maritime partnership in very meaningful ways," said Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, commander, Task Force 73. "The complexity of the training and the diverse cadre of Sailors and Marines allow us to deepen relationships at all levels and create bonds of trust that span generations within our forces."

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 departs Da Nang, re-affirms warm ties with the city

From Pacific Partnership 2017 Public Affairs

Lt. Cmdr. Justin Dye (center) performs spinal surgery at Da Nang Orthopedic and Rehabilitation Medical Center, May 16. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

DA NANG, Vietnam - Pacific Partnership 2017 departed Da Nang, Vietnam, May 18, after completing 10 days of disaster response training, medical and engineering subject matter expert exchanges, cooperative health engagements, and community relations events.

This year marks the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time the mission has visited Vietnam in the past 11 years.

"Our time in Da Nang was another fantastic opportunity to continue our cooperation with the people of Vietnam, working together to improve our capability to respond to disaster relief and sharing medical and engineering best practices," said Capt. Stanfield Chien, Pacific Partnership mission commander.

Pacific Partnership and Vietnamese personnel conducted subject matter expert exchanges for a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) workshop that culminated in a field training exercise.

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 arrives in Da Nang, Vietnam

From Task Force 73 Public Affairs

USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) arrives in Da Nang, May 8, for Pacific Partnership. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Madailein Abbott) >>

DA NANG, Vietnam - Pacific Partnership 2017 (PP17) began a mission in Da Nang, May 8, with the arrival of the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4).

The Da Nang mission stop marks the fourth consecutive year and the eighth time in 11 years that Pacific Partnership missions have occurred in Vietnam's provinces and cities.

Personnel from the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and Japan are participating in this year's events in Da Nang.

Da Nang collaborated with central government agencies and Pacific Partnership planners to organize the week and a half event with the aim of promoting the comprehensive partnership between the United States and Vietnam and collaboration among partner countries.

News Report: US Pacific Partnership 2017 Disaster Response Training Underway in Vietnam

Military personnel from the United States, Vietnam, Japan, Australia and the United Kingdom is conducting disaster response and humanitarian training drills in the Da Nang Province in Vietnam as part of the Pacific Partnership 2017 exercise, the US Navy announced in a press release on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The Da Nang province is known in military history as being the place where the US Marine Corps 9th Expeditionary Forces landed in March 1965. They Marine Corps were the first US combat troops to arrive in Vietnam during the US military agression against that country.

"Pacific Partnership includes the traditional humanitarian aid and disaster relief, medical, engineering and community relation projects," US officer in charge of the mission Lt. Cmdr. Greg Dusetzina said.

The training was officially kicked off when the Navy’s fast transport ship Fall River arrived, the statement noted. This year marks the fourth consecutive year in which Vietnam has participated in the Pacific Partnership exercise.

"Natural disasters don't recognize borders, so Vietnam, the United States and other Pacific nations must be prepared to respond quickly," US Ambassador to Vietnam Tedd Osius said.

This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.

USA: Pacific Partnership mission in Malaysia transitions to Kuching

By MC2 Chelsea Troy Milburn

Cadets from the University of Malaysia Sarawak walk the ramp of USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) during a tour in Kuching, April 16. (U.S. Navy/Grady T. Fontana) >>

KUCHING, Malaysia - Pacific Partnership 2017 and Malaysian partners embarked aboard expeditionary fast transport USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) arrived in Kuching, Malaysia, April 14.

As the second and main mission stop in Malaysia, and the third mission stop overall, activities in Kuching will kick off the large focus on humanitarian aid and disaster response, as well civil engineering projects for Pacific Partnership 2017 Malaysia.

According to Lt. j.g. Robin Pepper, the mission's engineering sail-in echelon officer in charge, Kuching is going to be an exciting change of pace for the sail-in team after working only one-on-one with the host nation engineers at their last projects in Sri Lanka.

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 begins mission in Malaysia

By MC2 Chelsea Milburn, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

Vice Adm. Joseph P. Aucoin, left, commander of U.S. 7th Fleet; Lt. Gen. Dato' Fazil Bin Mukhtar, commander of Malaysia's Joint Forces Command; and Capt. Stansfield Chien, Pacific Partnership mission commander, pause for a photo in front of USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), April, 10. (Royal Malaysian Navy photo) >>

PORT KLANG, Malaysia - Pacific Partnership 2017, embarked aboard Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), arrived in Port Klang, Malaysia, April 8.

The arrival marks Malaysia's 12th year as a participant in Pacific Partnership, as well as its second year as a host nation, after making its debut as a Pacific Partnership mission stop in 2016.

As the second mission stop of Pacific Partnership 2017, activities in Malaysia will include humanitarian aid and disaster response preparedness exercises, medical exchanges, civil engineering projects and community engagement events.

According to U.S. Army Maj. John Burns, Pacific Partnership 2017's officer in charge for Malaysia, this year's visit to Malaysia will not only provide an opportunity to build on the success of last year's mission, but will also provide unique challenges in comparison to other mission stops.

USA: USNS Fall River makes goodwill visit to Myanmar

From Task Force 73 Public Affairs

In this file photo, USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) arrives in Sri Lanka earlier this month during Pacific Partnership 2017. (U.S. Navy/ MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

YANGON, Myanmar - Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4) is making a goodwill visit to Yangon, Myanmar, March 21-25.

The visit aims to enhance friendship and cultural exchange between U.S. service members and the people of Myanmar.

The ship is transiting between mission stops in Sri Lanka and Malaysia for the annual Pacific Partnership mission, a multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HA/DR) preparedness operation which promotes greater cooperation between nations across the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

While in Myanmar, the crew of Fall River will conduct engagements with the Myanmar navy and participate in cultural tours in the city of Yangon. The U.S. 7th Fleet band will also perform at the U.S. Embassy American Center, and band members will meet with local musicians during coordinated musical exchanges.

News Report: US Warship Arrives in Myanmar for First Visit Since Second World War

USNS Fall River (Image: Wiki Commons)

On Tuesday the US Navy Ship Fall River made a port call in the southeast Asian country’s largest city and former capital, Yangon.

The expeditionary fast transport ship arrived from Sri Lanka and the sailors, civilian crewmembers and soldiers on board will be in Myanmar for close to a week before departing for Malaysia for the Pacific Partnership, an annual disaster relief and humanitarian planning exercise. 

As the nation formerly known as Burma works to shake off decades of military-led government, its relationship with Washington has strengthened. Former President Barack Obama lifted sanctions against Myanmar in October 2016, not long after the country held free elections, though some still say the government in the largely Buddhist country is guilty of human rights violations against minority groups like the Muslim Rohingya.

USA: Pacific Partnership 2017 makes inaugural Sri Lanka mission stop

By Lt. j.g. Emily Wilkin, Pacific Partnership Public Affairs

USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4) arrives in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, to participate in a Pacific Partnership 2017 mission stop. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

HAMBANTOTA, Sri Lanka - Pacific Partnership 2017 made its initial mission stop in Hambantota, Sri Lanka, March 7, with the arrival of Military Sealift Command expeditionary fast transport USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4).

This marked the first mission to Sri Lanka in the 12-year history of the annual civil-military operation, and the Pacific Partnership mission in Sri Lanka continues through March 18 and will make follow-on mission stops in Malaysia and Vietnam.

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific, and aims to enhance regional coordination in areas such as medical readiness and preparedness for man-made and natural disasters.

Participating in this year's Sri Lanka mission are partner military and non-government personnel from the United States, Australia, and Japan.

USA: 12th Pacific Partnership mission to enhance regional ties, cooperation

From CTF 73 Public Affairs

File photo of USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), the primary mission platform for Pacific Partnership 2017. (U.S. Navy) >>

SINGAPORE - The U.S. Navy will join allied and partner nation forces for the 12th Pacific Partnership mission, scheduled to begin March 1. This annual maritime operation will help improve disaster response preparedness and capacity while enhancing partnerships with participating nations throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific Region. This year's mission will be led by the Deputy Commander and staff from Coastal Riverine Group ONE, embarked on the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF 4), and will include more than 200 supporting military and civilian personnel from the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.

Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Vietnam are scheduled to host this year’s Pacific Partnership mission. Medical, dental, civil-engineering, and veterinary teams will partner with host nations to conduct civic-action projects, community health exchanges, medical symposiums, and humanitarian and disaster relief (HA/DR) drills. The planned engagements and exchanges during Pacific Partnership 17 are intended to improve capacity, enhance regional partnerships, and increase multilateral cooperation for HA/DR preparedness.

USA: Navy Command Prepares for Pacific Partnership Mission

By Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Joshua Fulton, USS Coronado

Singapore, Feb. 16, 2017 — Staff from Navy Supply Systems Command, Fleet Logistics Center Site Singapore, are providing logistical support for the joint high speed vessel USNS Fall River here today, initiating the final preparation phase for the 12th annual Pacific Partnership mission that will run from March through June.

The Fall River is the mission platform for Pacific Partnership 17, a multilateral mission that helps regional nations to improve their disaster response preparedness and capacities while enhancing partnerships throughout the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

News Story: A Bridgehead Too Far? CSBA’s Aggressive, Risky Strategy For Marines

Land-based missiles could form a virtual wall against Chinese
aggression (CSBA graphic - Click Image to Enlarge)

By SYDNEY J. FREEDBERG JR.

UPDATED with Brig. Gen. Turner remarks on the report WASHINGTON: Marines are famously aggressive, but a new battle plan from a leading thinktank makes Iwo Jima look low-risk. The Center for Strategic & Budgetary Assessments’ proposed concept of operations is imaginative, exciting and more than a little scary:

In a future war, rather than say far out at sea until long-range strikes whittle down massed Russian or Chinese missile batteries, the Marine Corps should push ahead into the teeth of the defenses and establish outposts within enemy missile range. Trusting in camouflage, dispersal, and short-range missile defenses to survive, these Expeditionary Advance Bases would refuel raiding F-35B fighters and launch land-based missiles to take the adversary’s Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) zone down from the inside.

CSBA’s idea is in line with the military’s increasing desire to blitzkrieg through weak points in A2/AD defenses, rather than laboriously bombard them from long range while our allies are overrun. (The Army calls this Multi-Domain Battle). But it’s far more aggressive and risky than any other such concept I’ve seen, because it calls for setting up static outposts inside the danger zone, rather than infiltrating mobile forces that stay constantly on the move. As Army Chief of Staff Mark Milley, never one to mince words, puts it: “On the future battlefield, if you stay in one place longer than two or three hours, you will be dead.”

So how does a stationary Expeditionary Advance Base survive not for hours but days?

Read the full story at Breaking Defense

USA: U.S., Brunei deepen maritime partnership during CARAT exercise

From Task Force 73 Public Affairs

In this file photo, U.S. Sailors approach a Royal Brunei Navy offshore patrol vessel during training as part of a previous CARAT exercise. (U.S. Navy/PO3 Derek A. Harkins) >>

MUARA, Brunei - Navy and Marine Corps personnel from the United States and Brunei Darussalam commenced the 22nd iteration of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) on Nov. 14.

CARAT Brunei 2016 will continue through Nov. 18, and features 5 days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance cooperation between the U.S. and Royal Brunei navies and armed forces.

"The United States deeply values our relationship with Brunei, centered on a defense partnership that underpins our shared commitment to the peace and security of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region," said Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, Commander, Task Force 73. "Twenty two years of CARAT solidified our relationship with the Brunei Armed Forces, building genuine friendships and a strong partnership based on common interests."

USA: Nations Gather in Singapore to Plan Pacific Partnership 17

By Lt. j.g. Emily Wilkin, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs

SINGAPORE (NNS) -- Pacific partnership staff and partner nation representatives met in Singapore, Nov. 8-10, for a planning conference to finalize details for the upcoming mission, slated for the spring of 2017. 

In its 12th year, Pacific Partnership is the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Asia-Pacific. This year's mission will be led by Deputy Commander, Riverine Group (CRG) 1, embarked on the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Fall River (T-EPF-4), and will include more than 200 military and civilian personnel from the U.S., the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Chile, Singapore and South Korea. 

"This planning conference affords us the opportunity to build relationships with our partner nations that are critical to our success with the upcoming mission," said Capt. Stan Chien, deputy commodore of CRG-1 and Pacific Partnership mission commander. "Pacific Partnership allows us to establish, in some cases, and further develop, in other cases, multilateral cooperation with allied and partner nations. We look forward to continuing to work with them during the coming months."