READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Australia, February 26 – March 2

02 March 2023

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

AUSTRALIA - Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Australia, Feb. 26 to Mar. 2, 2023 to emphasize the strength and solidarity of the Australia-United States Alliance.Paparo participated in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Chief of Air Force Symposium and attended the 2023 Avalon International Airshow.He met with

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Adm. Samuel Paparo and Major-General Kelvin Khong Boon Leong conduct a bilateral discussion.

MELBOURNE, Australia (Feb. 27, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Major-General Kelvin Khong Boon Leong, chief of Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force, conduct a bilateral discussion at the 2023 Australian Chief of Air Force Symposium in Melbourne, Australia. The visit to Australia emphasizes the United States commitment to strengthening partnerships for a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Bauer)

AUSTRALIA - Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Australia, Feb. 26 to Mar. 2, 2023 to emphasize the strength and solidarity of the Australia-United States Alliance.

Paparo participated in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Chief of Air Force Symposium and attended the 2023 Avalon International Airshow.

He met with senior RAAF and regional military leaders to discuss the importance of enhancing cooperation between naval and air forces for maritime security andto facilitate effective coordination during multi-national responses to natural disasters and other humanitarian missions.

Adm. Samuel Paparo and Brig. Gen. Valery Putz conduct a bilateral discussion.

AVALON, Australia (Feb. 28, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Brig. Gen. Valery Putz, commander of the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia, conduct a bilateral discussion at the 2023 Avalon International Air Show in Australia. The visit to Australia emphasizes the United States commitment to strengthening partnerships for a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Bauer)

Adm. Samuel Paparo and Maj. Gen. Stephen Parreno conduct a bilateral meeting.

AVALON, Australia (Feb. 28, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Maj. Gen. Stephen Parreno, commanding general of the Philippine Air Force, conduct a bilateral meeting at the 2023 Avalon International Air Show in Australia. The visit to Australia emphasizes the United States commitment to strengthening partnerships for a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Bauer)

Adm. Samuel Paparo and Air Marshal Robert Chipman conduct a bilateral discussion.

AVALON, Australia (Feb. 28, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Air Marshal Robert Chipman, chief of Royal Australian Air Force, conduct a bilateral discussion during the 2023 Avalon International Air Show in Australia. The visit to Australia underscores the solidarity of the Australia-United States Alliance and the United States commitment to strengthening partnerships for a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Bauer)

Adm. Samuel Paparo and Maj. Gen. Mark Goina conduct a bilateral discussion. A sign in the background contains the U.S. Department of Defense seal and the title, “U.S. Department of Defense Security Cooperation: Security Through Global Partnerships.”

AVALON, Australia (Feb. 28, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Maj. Gen. Mark Goina, chief of the Papa New Guinea Defence Force, conduct a bilateral discussion during the 2023 Avalon International Air Show in Australia. The visit to Australia underscores the United States commitment to strengthening partnerships for a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Bauer)

Bilateral meetings included:

Air Marshal Robert Chipman, Chief of Air Force, RAAF
Air Vice Marshal Andrew Clark, Chief of Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force
Maj. Gen. Kelvin Khong Boon Leong, Chief of Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force
Brig. Gen. Valery Putz, Commander, French Armed Forces in New Caledonia
Lt. Gen. Stephen Parreno, Commanding General, Philippine Air Force
Maj. Gen. Mark Goina, Chief of Defence Force, Papua New Guinea Defence Force

Paparo then traveled to Canberra to meet with senior Australian government and military officials to discuss areas of mutual concern and collaboration, and ways to deepen naval cooperation and interchangeability.

Officials included:

Mr. Greg Moriarty, Secretary of Defense
Vice Adm. David Johnston, Vice Chief of Defence Force, Australia Defence Force
Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton, Chief of Joint Operations, Australian Defense Force
Vice Adm. Jonathan Mead, Chief, Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force
Rear Adm. Jonathan Earley, Deputy Chief of Navy, Royal Australian Navy
Rear Adm. Matt Buckley, Head of Capability, Nuclear-Powered Submarine Task Force
Mr. Matt Anderson PSM, Director of the Australian War Memorial

Adm. Samuel Paparo salutes after laying a wreath during the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.

CANBERRA, Australia (Mar. 1, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, salutes after laying a wreath during the Last Post Ceremony at the Australian War Memorial while visiting Canberra, Australia. The visit to Australia underscores the solidarity of the Australia-United States Alliance and the United States commitment to strengthening partnerships for a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Bauer)

During the visit to Canberra, Paparo toured the Australia War Memorial and participated in the Last Post Ceremony, alongside Earley, in honor of Second Lieutenant Colin Herbert Farlow (13th Australian Infantry Battalion, FWW). They laid wreaths to commemorate all the fallen Australians.

The visit to Australia underscores the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships and alliances for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific.

Adm. Samuel Paparo meets with Rear Adm. Jonathan Earley.

CANBERRA, Australia (March 2, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Rear Adm. Jonathan Earley, deputy chief of the Royal Australian Navy while in Canberra, Australia. The visit to Australia underscores the solidarity of the Australia-United States Alliance and the United States commitment to strengthening partnerships for a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Nick Bauer)