CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 26 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines - Marines and Sailors assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, embarked on the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49), consolidated in the province of Palawan to participate in Exercise Balikatan 2024 on April 22. Over 1,000 Marines and Sailors embarked on the  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 24 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: SYDNEY, NSW, Australia - Admin Note 0:00 *Transmission begins during applause* Dr. Michael Fullilove, Lowy Institute Executive Director 0:14 Welcome everybody, both those joining us in person here at our beautiful headquarters at 31 Bligh St. and those joining us online for this special Lowy Institute event with the commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Ad  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 24 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: PHILIPPINES - In a concerted effort to enhance disaster preparedness following the aftermath of Typhoon Egay in 2023, joint service members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Armed Forces assembled at the Davila Barangay Hall on April 21, 2024, to provide lifesaving training to residents of Barangay Davila, Pasuquin, Ilocos Nortes, Philippines, as a p  more

HONOLULU, Hawaii, April 27 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's U.S. Space Command issued the following news: In a pivotal session on the final day of the Indo-Pacific Senior Enlisted Leaders Subject Matter Expert Exchange (IPSEL SMEE), Command Senior Enlisted Leader of the U.S. Space Command, Chief Master Sergeant Jacob Simmons, captivated senior enlisted leaders with a discussion on the expanding role of space in regional security dynamics. The week-long event, which saw senior enlisted leade  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 22 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City, Philippines - Exercise Balikatan 2024, the largest annual bilateral exercise conducted between the Philippines and the U.S., commenced with an opening ceremony at Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) General Headquarters today. This year's exercise marks the 39th iteration of the annual event, showcasing the ironclad Alliance and end  more

WASHINGTON, April 23 -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration issued the following news release on April 22, 2024: As part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's celebration of Earth Day, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today recognized transit agencies that are taking innovative approaches to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These transit agencies participate in FTA's Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Climate Challenge, which encourage  more

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, April 26 -- The Commander of the Hawaii Navy Region issued the following news release: By Chief Mass Communication Specialist John Pearl Family, friends, veterans, active-duty service members, and community leaders gathered to memorialize the life of retired Lt. Cmdr. Louis (Lou) Conter April 23, 2024 at Saint Patrick Catholic Cemetery. Conter, the last living survivor from the USS Arizona (BB-39), which sank during the attack on Pearl Harbor, died peacefully in his home  more

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, April 24 -- The Commander of the Hawaii Navy Region issued the following news release: By MC1 Shayla Hamilton, NSA Bahrain Public Affairs Service members and civilians assigned to Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain and Public Works Department (PWD) Bahrain dedicated time, participating in events highlighting Earth Day, April 22-23. Earth Day is celebrated worldwide each year, aiming to raise awareness, inspire change, and foster a deeper connection with nature. Earth D  more

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii, April 23 -- The Commander of the Hawaii Navy Region issued the following news release: By Ninoshka Basantes Navy Region Mid-Atlantic Fleet and Family Support Center has expanded its services by offering remote clinical counseling to individuals, couples, and families. This new initiative aims to provide accessible support to active-duty service members and their families, ensuring they receive the necessary assistance regardless of their location or circumstances. "Remot  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 26 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: Republic of Korea (ROK) Deputy Minister for National Defense Policy Cho Chang-rae, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner, and Japan Director General for Defense Policy Kano Koji convened the 14th Defense Trilateral Talks virtually on April 24, 2024. The officials exchanged assessments of the security environment on the Korean Peninsula, in t  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 25 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: DARWIN, NT, Australia - April 25, 1915, etched into history as the day 140 soldiers of the first wave set sail, their destination: the Gallipoli Peninsula. Among them, only 38 would step onto the shores alive, marking the harrowing beginning of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps' campaign in World War I. Today, over 100 years later, April 25th stands as An  more

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii, April 26 -- The U.S. Pacific Air Forces issued the following news: By Tech. Sgt. Hailey Haux, Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs Fifteen medical professionals from the island of Oahu visited Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to get eyes on the U.S. Air Force's aeromedical evacuation system and its capabilities, April 10. The AE (Aeromedical Evacuation) system provides worldwide coverage, capable of evacuating patients from nearly any location around the glo  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 25 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: HONOLULU -- Multinational military and civilian leaders from across the Indo-Pacific region gathered to commemorate Australia and New Zealand Army Corps Day at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, commonly referred to as the "Punchbowl," April 25. Anzac Day marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces duri  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 24 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by phone today with Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto to discuss the U.S.-Indonesia defense relationship, as well as regional and global security issues. Secretary Austin reiterated President Biden's congratulations to Minister Prabowo on his recent   more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 22 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea - A crucial aspect of any exercise for the 8th Fighter Wing is the reception of forces, and that was no different as the Wolf Pack hosts the largest air exercise in the Republic of Korea. The 8th Logistics Readiness Squadron deployment readiness cell played a vital role in accepting an additional 24 airframes and hundreds of per  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 23 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: "I welcome the passage of the critical national security supplemental, which will help the Department of Defense support Ukraine and Israel, bolster security in the Indo-Pacific, and stand firm with our Allies and partners around the world. This bipartisan legislation will allow the Department to surge lifesaving security assistance to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia's aggress  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 25 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines - U.S. Army Soldiers with the 25th Infantry Division joined forces with Philippine Army Soldiers assigned to Army Support Command, 7th Infantry Division, and Special Forces Regiment Airborne to conduct Low-Cost Low Altitude dropping and sling load operations during Exercise Balikatan 2024 on Fort Magsaysay, Philippines, April 22, 2024.   more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 23 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: PITI, Guam - On April 18, 2024, U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam spearheaded a comprehensive Multi-Agency Strike Force Operation (MASFO), meticulously inspecting 172 containers at the Port of Guam. This operation is part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safety and security of containerized cargo, which is crucial for the island's economy and environ  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 24 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: HONOLULU -- U.S. Indo-Pacific Command service members and Pearl Harbor National Park Service employees attended the memorial ceremony in honor of the last survivor from USS Arizona, Louis Al. (Lou) Conter, on April 23, 2024. The ceremony was held at the same time as his burial service in Green Valley, California, where he was laid to rest next to his late wife of 45 years, Valerie. H  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 23 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: TOKYO -- Adm. John C. Aquilino, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, visited Japan from April 21-23, 2024. This was Aquilino's final overseas engagement with partners and Allies as commander of USINDOPACOM. Aquilino will be relieved by Adm. Samuel Paparo during a change of command ceremony, May 3. Aquilino met with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida; Japanese Minister of Defe  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 22 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: We are aware of the ballistic missile launch and are consulting closely with our allies and partners. While we have assessed that this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launch highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRK's illicit weapons program. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Jap  more

CAMP SMITH, Hawaii, April 22 -- The U.S. Department of Defense's Indo-Pacific Command issued the following news: CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea - Gen. Stephen Whiting, Commander of the United States Space Command (USSPACECOM), visited the Republic of Korea (ROK) April 21-22 as part of his first overseas visit, where he engaged with senior government and military leaders to further the U.S.-ROK discussions on space and missile defense capabilities in modern warfare and aims to b  more

WASHINGTON, April 25 (TNSres) -- The White House issued the following fact sheet on April 12, 2024: * * * President Joe Biden Announces Student Debt Cancellation for 700 More Borrowers in Hawaii, Pursuing Every Path Available to Cancel Student Debt - New announcement brings debt cancellation to over 6,910 people in Hawaii under Biden-Harris Administration Today, President Biden announced that 277,000 more borrowers across the country will get their student debt cancelled, including 700 more   more