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READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Diego Garcia, December 8-9

09 December 2022

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), Dec. 8-9, 2022, to review capabilities and facilities and engage with personnel at the strategic outpost.
Adm. Samuel Paparo shakes hands with Cmdr. Colvin Osborn.
221209-N-YG104-0005 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (December 09, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo , Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, shakes hands with Cmdr. Colvin Osborn, the Commander of British Forces at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. During his visit Paparo engaged with members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, the Royal Navy, and Royal Marines from the United Kingdom, as well as civilians, and contractors who support the installation. The site visit was an opportunity to learn how the U.S. Pacific Fleet can best support personnel assigned, while also maximizing strategic output. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)
Adm. Samuel Paparo shakes hands with Cmdr. Colvin Osborn.
221210-N-YG104-0005
221209-N-YG104-0005 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (December 09, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo , Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, shakes hands with Cmdr. Colvin Osborn, the Commander of British Forces at Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. During his visit Paparo engaged with members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, the Royal Navy, and Royal Marines from the United Kingdom, as well as civilians, and contractors who support the installation. The site visit was an opportunity to learn how the U.S. Pacific Fleet can best support personnel assigned, while also maximizing strategic output. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)
Photo By: Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas
VIRIN: 221209-N-YG104-0005

Royal Navy Cmdr. Colvin Osborn, Commander British Forces of BIOT, and U.S. Navy Capt. John Wilson, Commanding Officer of NSF Diego Garcia Installation, co-hosted a leadership roundtable to discuss U.K.-U.S. joint capabilities, operations, and installation support to permanent and temporarily assigned personnel. The espirit de corps and partnership between Royal Navy, Royal Marines and U.S. forces in Diego Garcia, reflected the strong, longstanding alliance and friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States.

Adm. Samuel Paparo poses for a photo with Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4.
221209-N-YG104-0022 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (December 09, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, poses for a photo with Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4. During his visit Paparo engaged with members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, the Royal Navy, and Royal Marines from the United Kingdom, as well as civilians, and foreign contractors who support the installation. The site visit was an opportunity to learn how the U.S. Pacific Fleet can best support personnel assigned, while also maximizing strategic output. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)
Adm. Samuel Paparo poses for a photo with Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4.
221210-N-YG104-0022
221209-N-YG104-0022 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (December 09, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, poses for a photo with Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 4. During his visit Paparo engaged with members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, the Royal Navy, and Royal Marines from the United Kingdom, as well as civilians, and foreign contractors who support the installation. The site visit was an opportunity to learn how the U.S. Pacific Fleet can best support personnel assigned, while also maximizing strategic output. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)
Photo By: Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas
VIRIN: 221209-N-YG104-0022

Paparo toured the installation including housing and dining facilities, logistics depots, airfields, and piers, where he received briefs from U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, Seabees, and other Navy personnel.

He commended the leadership for their support to visiting aircraft, ships and submarines, including recent visit by the ballistic missile submarine USS West Virginia (SSBN 73).

Adm. Samuel Paparo speaks with service members during an all hands call.
221209-N-YG104-0036 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (December 09, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo (right), Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks with service members during an all hands call aboard Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. During his visit Paparo engaged with members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, the Royal Navy, and Royal Marines from the United Kingdom, as well as civilians, and foreign contractors who support the installation. The site visit was an opportunity to learn how the U.S. Pacific Fleet can best support personnel assigned, while also maximizing strategic output. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)
Adm. Samuel Paparo speaks with service members during an all hands call.
221210-N-YG104-0036
221209-N-YG104-0036 DIEGO GARCIA, British Indian Ocean Territory (December 09, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo (right), Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks with service members during an all hands call aboard Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia. During his visit Paparo engaged with members of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, the Royal Navy, and Royal Marines from the United Kingdom, as well as civilians, and foreign contractors who support the installation. The site visit was an opportunity to learn how the U.S. Pacific Fleet can best support personnel assigned, while also maximizing strategic output. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)
Photo By: Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas
VIRIN: 221209-N-YG104-0036

During an all hands call, Paparo addressed questions and concerns from U.S. and U.K. military, civilian, and foreign contract personnel on issues ranging from incentives for pay, leave, and travel to the critical role of NSF Diego Garcia to supporting operational forces deployed to the Indian Ocean.

The visit underscored the strategic importance of Diego Garcia to an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific by enabling presence, assured access, and defense to the global commons.

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