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READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Australia, November 4 - 9 November 2023

09 November 2023

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Australia, Nov. 4-9, 2023 to affirm and advance the strong alliance between Australia and the United States.
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Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, delivers remarks during a panel discussion of senior naval leaders from Australia, Canada, France, India, UK and the U.S. at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 8, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, delivers remarks during a panel discussion of senior naval leaders from Australia, Canada, France, India, UK and the U.S. at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, delivers remarks during a panel discussion of senior naval leaders from Australia, Canada, France, India, UK and the U.S. at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
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SYDNEY (Nov. 8, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, delivers remarks during a panel discussion of senior naval leaders from Australia, Canada, France, India, UK and the U.S. at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
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VIRIN: 231108-N-UL352-1482


Paparo began the trip in Sydney to attend the culminating event of the Integrated Battle Problem 23.3 exercise alongside senior defense officials from Australia and the United Kingdom in support of AUKUS Pillar 2.  While at Fleet Base East, Paparo visited USS Oakland (LCS 24), which had participated in the exercise.
 
He then traveled to Perth to meet with senior Australian and UK officials to discuss various topics including maritime security threats to the region and Submarine Rotational Force West under AUKUS Pillar 1. They spoke about ways to deepen naval cooperation in support of AUKUS.

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, responds to a question during a panel discussion of senior naval leaders from Australia, Canada, France, India, UK and the U.S. at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 8, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, responds to a question during a panel discussion of senior naval leaders from Australia, Canada, France, India, UK and the U.S. at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, poses for a photo with Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, chief, Royal Australian Navy, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 8, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, poses for a photo with Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, chief, Royal Australian Navy, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Gen. Angus Campbell, chief of Australian Defence Force, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 8, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Gen. Angus Campbell, chief of Australian Defence Force, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, poses for a photo with Gen. Angus Campbell, chief of Australian Defence Force, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 8, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, poses for a photo with Gen. Angus Campbell, chief of Australian Defence Force, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for Defence Richard Marles during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 7. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 7, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister/Minister for Defence Richard Marles during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 7. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, conducts a bilateral engagement with Adm. Adoong Pan-iam, Royal Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief, during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 7. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 7, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, conducts a bilateral engagement with Adm. Adoong Pan-iam, Royal Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief, during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 7. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

 
Officials included:
  • The Hon. Marie Rennie, British Consul-General Perth
  • The Hon. Paul Papalia, Western Australian Minister for Defence Industry
  • The Hon. Deb Hamblin, Mayor of Rockingham
  • The Hon. Logan Howlett, Mayor of Cockburn
  • Rear Adm. Matthew Buckley, Head Nuclear Submarine Capability, RAN
  • Capt. Ken Burleigh, Commanding Officer HMAS Stirling
  • Capt. Will McDougall, Director Submarine Rotational Force West, RAN
 
Paparo returned to Sydney to participate in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Indo-Pacific Sea Power Conference.  He joined senior leaders from the United Kingdom, France, Canada, India, Japan, and Australia in a panel discussion on ‘What does Fleet 2035 Look Like,’ in which they emphasized the need for innovation, creativity, ingenuity, interoperability in developing future naval capabilities, and the unceasing importance of partnerships and relationships between navies.
 
During the conference, he met with senior Government of Australia, RAN, and ally and partner military officials to discuss the importance of maritime security and interoperability between naval forces in the Indo-Pacific.

Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Vice Adm. Jan Kaack, chief, German Navy, hold a bilateral meeting during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 7. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 7, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Vice Adm. Jan Kaack, chief, German Navy, hold a bilateral meeting during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 7. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, and Rear Adm. David Proctor, chief of navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, conduct a bilateral meeting during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 7. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 7, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, and Rear Adm. David Proctor, chief of navy, Royal New Zealand Navy, conduct a bilateral meeting during the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 7. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Australian Air Marshal Leon Phillips, chief, Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 8, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Australian Air Marshal Leon Phillips, chief, Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Adm. Tran Thanh Nghiem, chief of navy, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 8, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Adm. Tran Thanh Nghiem, chief of navy, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Adm. Tran Thanh Nghiem, chief of navy, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 8, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Adm. Tran Thanh Nghiem, chief of navy, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Vice Adm. Priyantha Perera, commander, Sri Lanka Navy, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)
SYDNEY (Nov. 8, 2023) Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Vice Adm. Priyantha Perera, commander, Sri Lanka Navy, during a bilateral engagement at the Indo Pacific International Maritime Exposition 2023 in Sydney, Nov. 8. IP23 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

 
Bilateral meetings included:
  • The Hon. Richard Marles, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence for Australia
  • Gen. Angus Campbell, Chief of Defence Force, Australia Defence Force
  • Air Marshal Leon Phillips, Chief, Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance
  • Adm. Ryo Sakai, Chief of Staff, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force
  • Adm. Adoong Pan-Iam, Commander in Chief, Royal Thai Navy
  • Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, Chief of Navy, Royal Australian Navy
  • Vice Adm. Jan Kaack, Chief of Navy, German Navy
  • Vice Adm. Priyantha Perera, Commander, Sri Lanka Navy
  • Vice Adm. Tran Thanh Nghiem, Commander, Vietnam People’s Navy
  • Rear Adm. David Proctor, Chief of Navy, Royal New Zealand Navy
  • Rear Adm. Geoffroy d’Andigne, Commander of Armed Forces in Polynesia
 
The visit to Australia underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening partnerships and alliances for an enduring resilient, free, and open Indo-Pacific.
 
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