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READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Bangladesh, December 6-8

09 December 2022

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Bangladesh, Dec. 6-8, 2022 to attend the Bangladesh Navy’s International Fleet Review (IFR) in Cox’s Bazar.
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The IFR, a commemoration event for the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh, comprised 28 countries to promote goodwill and strengthen cooperation between navies. The U.S. Navy’s participation included the littoral combat ship USS Oakland (LCS 24).

Paparo spoke during the Maritime Discourse on the IFR theme of ‘Friendship Beyond the Horizon’ along with Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, Bangladesh Chief of Navy Adm. Shaheen Iqbal, and senior naval representatives from eight counties. Paparo addressed the commonality of Sailors and mariners and the common threats including natural disasters, illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, international terrorism, and threats to the international rules based order. He commended the Bangladesh Navy for the maneuver and execution of the fleet in review that demonstrated Bangladesh Navy as a great example of naval professionalism.

Additionally, both Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Vice Adm. Saito Akira and Paparo’s remarks addressed the 81st anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and the importance of friendship, building relationships and strengthening partnerships as demonstrated in the Japan-U.S. Alliance.

During the trip, Paparo met with senior Bangladesh and regional military officials to discuss the importance of maritime security and interoperability between naval forces in the Indo-Pacific, with a particular focus in the Indian Ocean region.

Adm. Samuel Paparo poses for a photo with Vice Adm. Dato Roslan.
221206-N-YG104-0001 COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh (December 06, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo (left), Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, poses for a photo with Vice Adm. Dato Roslan of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Roslan and Paparo met for bilateral talks during the International Fleet Review, hosted by the Bangladesh Navy. The U.S. Pacific Fleet is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)
Adm. Samuel Paparo speaks with Vice Adm. Biswajit Das Gupta.
221207-N-YG104-0004 COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh (December 07, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo (left), Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks with Vice Adm. Biswajit Das Gupta of the Indian Navy. Das Gupta and Paparo met for bilateral talks during the International Fleet Review, hosted by the Bangladesh Navy. The U.S. Pacific Fleet is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, greets Chiefs of Navy and heads of delegations during the International Fleet Review (IFR).
221207-N-YG104-0002 COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh (December 07, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, greets Chiefs of Navy and heads of delegations during the International Fleet Review (IFR), hosted by the Bangladesh Navy. Paparo represented the U.S. Navy during IFR 2022. The U.S. Pacific Fleet is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)
Adm. Samuel Paparo poses for a photo with heads of delegation from the Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal Australian Navy.
COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh (December 06, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo (center), Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, poses for a photo with heads of delegation from the Royal New Zealand Navy and Royal Australian Navy. Paparo represented the U.S. Navy at the International Fleet Review, hosted by the Bangladesh Navy. The U.S. Pacific Fleet is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)
Adm. Samuel Paparo exchanges gifts with Adm. Shaheen Iqbal.
221208-N-YG104-0010 COX’S BAZAR, Bangladesh (December 08, 2022) Adm. Samuel Paparo (left), Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, exchanges gifts with Adm. Shaheen Iqbal of the Bangladesh Navy. Iqbal and Paparo met for bilateral talks during the International Fleet Review, hosted by the Bangladesh Navy. The U.S. Pacific Fleet is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas)

Bilateral meetings included:

  • Adm. Shaheen Iqbal, Chief of Navy, Bangladesh Navy
  • Lieutenant Gen. Waker-Uz-Zaman, Principal Staff Officer, Bangladesh Armed Forces Division
  • Vice Adm. Lee Sungryol, Commander of Education and Training Command, Republic of Korea Navy
  • Vice Adm. Saito Akira, Vice Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
  • Vice Adm. Dato Roslan Bin Mohd Yunus, Commander of the National Task Force, Royal Malaysian Navy
  • Vice Adm. Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Commanding Officer in Charge of the Eastern Naval Command, India Navy
  • Rear Adm. Jayantha Kularatne, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Sri Lanka Navy

Participation in the IFR affirmed the strong friendship and partnership between Bangladesh and United States navies, which routinely operate together including the annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise held since 2015.

The visit to Bangladesh underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an enduring free and open Indo-Pacific.

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