USA: USS Bonhomme Richard returns to Sasebo after 4-month patrol

By MC2 Diana Quinlan, USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) passes Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Kirisame (DD 104) upon its return to Sasebo, Sept. 25. (U.S. Navy/MC1 David R. Krigbaum) >>

SASEBO, Japan - The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) returned to Sasebo, Japan, after completing a four-month deployment in the 7th Fleet area of operations, Sept. 25.

While deployed to the South Pacific, Bonhomme Richard, with the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), participated in the bilateral, biennial U.S.-Australia exercise Talisman Saber 2017, completed amphibious integration training (AIT), successfully certified during the 31st MEU's certification exercise (CERTEX) and completed an amphibious maritime warfare (AMW) evaluation.

Additionally, Bonhomme Richard conducted port visits to Australia's cities of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, during which many Sailors and Marines participated in community service projects, including visits to children's hospitals and care centers for underprivileged and disabled members of the local communities. Alongside the multiple COMREL events, the crew also hosted several ship tours to allow Australian allies a look into life aboard a U.S. naval amphibious vessel.

USA: Mattis, Australian Counterpart Discuss Defense Relationship, Challenges

Australian and US military personal (File Photo)

DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2017 — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis hosted Australian Defense Minister Marise Payne for a bilateral meeting at the Pentagon yesterday to discuss the defense relationship between their nations and the regional security challenges they continue to face, chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana W. White said.

In a statement summarizing the meeting, White said Mattis expressed his sincere and deep appreciation to Payne for Australia's assistance in the search, rescue and recovery efforts following the early August MV-22 Osprey incident that took the lives of three Marines off the Australian coast.

100 Years of 'Mateship'

"Secretary Mattis also highlighted the upcoming celebration of the first hundred years of 'Mateship' that underpins the ironclad Australia-U.S. alliance," White said, referring to the close bond formed between the United States and Australia when their troops fought side by side during World War I. "The relationship is built from tight bonds of trust, respect and friendship."

The two leaders also discussed concerns about destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and the threat posed by North Korea, White said. "They emphasized the importance of the international community coming together to hold Kim Jong-Un's regime accountable and pressuring North Korea to give up their illegal nuclear weapons program," she added.

Mattis and Payne also reaffirmed their continued commitment and support to address the growing threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and other extremist groups, particularly in Southeast Asia, she said.

US DoD

News Story: Japan to fund Marine Corps facilities on Guam pending Okinawa move

by Stephen Carlson

Japan will fund a $17.9 million contract to Contack Watts Inc. to build a Waterfront Headquarters Building at Naval Base Guam, the U.S. Navy announced on Tuesday.

The contract will help pay for the infrastructure necessary to move U.S. Marines from Okinawa, Japan, to Guam, as previously determined.

"For the Marines to effectively execute amphibious operations, a fully capable waterfront facility and associated infrastructure are essential," Officer in Charge of Construction Marianas Commanding Officer Capt. Dan Turner said in a press release.

"The award of this contract marks yet another critical step forward in the Marine Corps relocation to Guam and it is another excellent example of the tremendous financial investment by our Government of Japan partners toward our shared national defense interests," Turner added.

Read the full story at SpaceDaily

USA: Bonhomme Richard ESG completes deployment with 31st MEU

By MC2 Sarah Villegas, ESG 7 Public Affairs

In this file photo, ships of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group form up with ships from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy during exercise Talisman Saber in July. (Royal Australian Navy/LSIS Helen Frank) >>

OKINAWA, Japan - The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) and dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) arrived in Okinawa, Japan, to offload the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), Sept. 19, capping a multi-month deployment in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, deployed together since early June, successfully completed multiple certifications, participated in Talisman Saber 17, and conducted port visits throughout Australia.

The Blue-Green Team participated in the biennial exercise Talisman Saber off the coast of Australia to achieve interoperability and strengthen the U.S.-Australia alliance. The bilateral training tested watchstanders in nearly every domain—surface, air, undersea—and increased proficiencies in the ESG’s primary mission of landing forces ashore.

News Story: China, Russia start joint naval drills

VLADIVOSTOK, Russia, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- China and Russia started the second stage of their "Joint Sea-2017" military exercises on Monday with the arrival of a Chinese naval fleet in the Russian port city of Vladivostok.

The exercises are scheduled to take place in the Sea of Japan and the Okhotsk Sea, after the first stage was held on July 22-27 in the Baltic Sea.

It is the first time that the venue of the drills has extended to the Okhotsk Sea. Naval forces from both sides will, also for the first time, conduct joint submarine rescue exercises and joint anti-submarine exercises.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Report: US Assault Ship Loaded with Joint Strike Fighters Heads to North Korea

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning

The USS Wasp is sailing from its homeport in Virginia to Sasebo, Japan, to join the US Navy’s 7th Fleet and bring Washington’s most advanced fighter jets to North Korea’s backyard.

The Wasp, an Amphibious Assault Ship and lead ship of her class, doesn’t have quite as much surface area for jets to take off and land as the larger Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, but the ship will still bring a new squadron of carrier-compatible F-35B aircraft to the 7th Fleet’s area of operations. 

The F-35B jets have the AV-8B Harrier’s capability of taking off vertically, as a helicopter does, while also being able to operate in the air like fighter jets. 

USA: USS Green Bay completes patrol in Indo-Asia-Pacific

By MC3 Sarah Myers, USS Green Bay Public Affairs

In this file photo, USS Green Bay (LPD 20) operates in the Coral Sea during exercise Talisman Saber in July. (U.S. Navy/MC1 Byron C. Linder) >>

SASEBO, Japan - The amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20) returned to its forward-deployed base in Sasebo, Japan, Sept. 7, culminating three-plus months of operations in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Green Bay, part of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group, and embarked Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) participated in Talisman Saber 17 off of the coast of Australia, made community-enriching port visits to Cairns and Brisbane, and completed U.S. Navy-Marine Corps integrated training while deployed.

“I am so incredibly impressed and pleased with the performance of our Blue-Green Team over the course of this deployment,” said Capt. Nate Moyer, commanding officer of Green Bay. “Our Sailors and Marines serving in 7th Fleet are resilient. We proved that resiliency day-for-day throughout the past three months while strengthening both our presence and our ability to operate with our Australian counterparts.”

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: Bonhomme Richard Departs Melbourne, Australia

USS Bonhomme Richard (Image: Wiki Commons)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cameron McCulloch, USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Public Affairs

MELBOURNE, Australia (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) departed Melbourne, Australia, Sept. 3, concluding a scheduled six-day port visit. 

Melbourne is Bonhomme Richard's third Australian port visit during the current routine deployment as part of the U.S. - Australian biennial, bilateral exercise Talisman Saber 2017 (TS17), following visits to Sydney and Brisbane.

"The people of Australia, military and civilian, have made us feel welcome throughout the entirety of this deployment in every port we entered", said Capt. Larry McCullen, commanding officer of Bonhomme Richard. "We will always cherish the relationships that we have established and the bonds that have been strengthened during our time here in Australia. It has been a truly positive experience working with one of our greatest and long-standing allies."

News Story: US prepares Filipino troops against chemical attack

By Roel Pareño

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines — The US military is helping Filipino soldiers prepare for possible chemical attack of the Islamic State-inspired Maute group as fighting continues in several parts of Mindanao. 

According to the US Embassy in Manila, officials from the Joint United State Military Assistance Group has delivered 1,000 M40 field protective masks and C2 filter canisters to the Philippine Navy.

The turnover of the military protective masks were conducted in two batches; one delivery made on Wednesday and the other on Thursday.

The support came following the request of the Philippine Navy to help sailors and marines prepare for possible chemical attack of terrorists.

Read the full story at PhilStar

News Story: Japan defense chief asks new US envoy to pay heed to base concerns

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera asked new U.S. Ambassador to Japan William Hagerty on Friday to pay heed to Japanese people's concerns over the hosting of U.S. bases.

"On the (U.S. military's) Osprey aircraft, I believe great care is taken in ensuring their safety, but various concerns are still voiced in Japan," Onodera told Hagerty, who paid a courtesy call a day after he assumed his post.

"I hope you will lend an ear to the voices of local people, including on issues related to the U.S. forces in Japan," the minister also said during the meeting, the start of which was open to the media.

Hagerty, a businessman close to U.S. President Donald Trump, arrived in Japan at a time when the bilateral alliance is becoming more important in the face of repeated ballistic missile launches by North Korea, including one that flew over Japan into the Pacific Ocean earlier this week.

Read the full story at The Mainichi

USA: USS Wasp departs to join 7th Fleet forces in Japan

From USS Wasp Public Affairs

USS Wasp (LHD 1) file photo. (U.S. Marine Corps/Cpl. Ryan G. Coleman) >>

NORFOLK, Va. - Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) departed for Sasebo, Japan, Aug. 30, where it will assume duties as the forward-deployed flagship of the amphibious force of the U.S. 7th Fleet.

The shift will introduce an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter-capable amphibious assault ship to the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, pairing it with the F-35Bs of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121.

"This move ensures that our most technologically-advanced air warfare platforms are forward deployed," said Wasp Commanding Officer Capt. Andrew Smith. "Our capabilities, paired with the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, increases our Navy's precision strike capabilities within the 7th Fleet region. Wasp will help America's commitment to the maritime security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific."

News Story: Japanese DM, local media differ on cause of Osprey's emergency landing

TOKYO, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. Marine Corps Osprey aircraft that made an emergency landing at a commercial airport in southwestern Japan may have done so due to an instrument malfunction, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera said Wednesday.

Onodera's remarks came despite local media reporting that the plane's crew notified air traffic controllers of its need to make an emergency landing due to engine trouble.

The controversial Osprey, known for its checkered safety history, is reportedly the same aircraft that was forced to make an emergency landing near Okinawa's main island in June under potentially similar circumstances.

Onodera, conceding that the tilt-rotor airplanes are continuing to have accidents, called for tighter safety measures to be implemented.

"Accidents involving Ospreys are continuing to happen, so I want safety to be ensured when operating them," the defense minister told a press briefing on the matter.

Japan's top government spokesperson, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, also expressed his concerns over the safety of the turboprop planes that can take off and land like a helicopter and fly like a fix-winged aircraft.

Suga told a press briefing that the government has requested further information on the incident and for thorough safety management regarding the planes.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Osprey makes emergency landing at southwestern Japan airport

OITA, Japan (Kyodo) -- An Osprey aircraft made an emergency landing at an airport in Oita Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on Tuesday due to possible engine trouble, a prefectural government official said.

The U.S. military aircraft landed around 6:30 p.m. at Oita airport after taking off from the U.S. Marine Corps' Air Station Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan. There were no reports of injury or fire.

Read the full story at The Mainichi

News Story: Okinawa Pref. Assembly demands withdrawal of all Osprey aircraft, US Marines

NAHA -- The Okinawa Prefectural Assembly approved a resolution on Aug. 28 demanding the pullout of all MV-22 Osprey aircraft from the prefecture following a series of accidents, as well as all U.S. Marine units.

The resolution, as well as a formal statement of opinion also passed by the assembly, furthermore called for the closure of U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma -- where the Ospreys are now based -- within five years. The vote came following the crash earlier this month of an Osprey off the coast of Australia. The aircraft involved in the incident was based at Futenma.

The resolution was submitted to the assembly by the ruling faction of Gov. Takeshi Onaga, which is opposed to the Futenma base's planned relocation to the city of Nago's Henoko district, or to anywhere else within Okinawa Prefecture.

Read the full story at The Mainichi

USA: Bonhomme Richard arrives in Melbourne for port visit

From USS Bonhomme Richard Public Affairs

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) sits along the pier in Melbourne after arriving for a port visit, Aug. 28. (U.S. Navy photo) >>

MELBOURNE, Australia - The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) arrived in Melbourne for a scheduled port visit, Aug. 28.

Bonhomme Richard and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) recently completed amphibious integration training (AIT) and a certification exercise (CERTEX), which tested the MEU’s ability to conduct all of its core missions such as stability operations, non-combatant evacuation and disaster relief.

“Over the past month, BHR’s crew has been doing remarkable work,” said Capt. Larry McCullen, Bonhomme Richard’s commanding officer. “Our blue-green team came together to execute AIT and earn certification as true professionals. As we arrive in Melbourne for some well-earned liberty, we look forward to experiencing the sights and sounds of the city.”

While in port, Sailors and Marines will have the opportunity to interact with the local community through community relations (COMREL) events and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tours. Bonhomme Richard’s MWR office has coordinated a wide variety of events and tours to help Sailors and Marines enjoy the sights, wildlife, food and culture of the Melbourne area, including a trip to a wildlife sanctuary and a local rugby match.

USA: USS Pearl Harbor departs Goa after visit, professional exchanges

From USS Pearl Harbor Public Affairs

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Thomas Vongpanya discusses the use of the 11-meter RHIB boat during visit, board, search and seizure operations during a tour of USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) by Indian Navy sailors, Aug. 25. (U.S. Navy/Ensign Kris Rodriguez) >>

GOA, India - The Whidbey Island-class (cargo variant) amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), with embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), departed Goa after a scheduled port visit and subject matter expert exchange, Aug. 27.

Pearl Harbor, part of the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), is currently operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region to strengthen partnerships and serve as a ready-response force for any type of contingency.

While in Goa, the ship's Sailors and Marines conducted exchanges with the Indian Navy and Indian Navy Marine Commandos relating to amphibious warfare as well as tours, a press conference and meetings with military leadership.

USA: Pearl Harbor Arrives in Goa, India

USS Pearl Harbor (Image: Wiki Commons)

From USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) Public Affairs

GOA, India (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), with embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in Goa for a scheduled port visit and subject matter expert exchange, Aug. 24. 

USS Pearl Harbor is a Whidbey Island-class (cargo variant) amphibious dock landing ship with a crew of more than 700 Sailors and embarked Marines. 

While in Goa the ship's Sailors and Marines will conduct exchanges with the Indian Navy and Indian Navy Marine Commandos relating to amphibious warfare.

News Story: US court revives environment lawsuit over Okinawa base relocation

LOS ANGELES (Kyodo) -- A U.S. federal appeals court revived Monday a previously dismissed lawsuit seeking to halt the planned relocation of a U.S. Marine Corps air base within Japan's Okinawa Prefecture due to the potential impact on endangered dugong.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Center for Biological Diversity, a U.S. nonprofit conservation group, can challenge in a district court a U.S. government review that found the construction of a new base at Henoko, a coastal area in the city of Nago, would not negatively affect the Okinawa dugong.

Landfill work is currently taking place at Henoko despite opposition from local people and the Okinawa prefectural government. Opponents argue the base should be moved out of the island prefecture, which already hosts the bulk of the U.S. military presence in Japan.

U.S. Marine Corps Air Station Futenma is currently located in the middle of a densely populated residential area in Ginowan, presenting safety concerns, and the Japanese and U.S. governments say moving it to Henoko is the "only solution."

Read the full story at The Mainichi

News Story: US military Ospreys conduct night-flight training in Hokkaido

SAPPORO (Kyodo) -- Two U.S. military Osprey aircraft flew at night Monday as part an ongoing joint exercise conducted between the U.S. Marines and Japanese ground defense forces on the northernmost main island of Hokkaido, the Defense Ministry's local bureau said.

It is the first time for the tilt-rotor aircraft to conduct night-flight training during a Japan-U.S. drill, even as safety concerns linger among the Japanese public following a fatal crash of an Osprey off Australia on Aug. 5 and other accident records.

According to the Hokkaido Defense Bureau, two Ospreys flew above the Hokkaido-Dai Maneuver Area after leaving the U.S. military's Misawa Air Base in nearby Aomori Prefecture around 7 p.m. The aircraft returned to the base shortly after 8:40 p.m.

Ospreys have joined the exercise from Friday, after the Japanese government announced Aug. 11 it will give a green light to the resumption of their flights, accepting U.S. assurances that the aircraft is safe despite the crash off the coast of Australia.

Read the full story at The Mainichi