An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.



 

READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to India, Oct. 6-9

15 October 2024

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited India alongside Fleet Master Chief Donald L. Davis, Jr., from Oct. 6-9 to reaffirm the strong and enduring relationship between the world’s oldest democracy and the world’s largest democracy.
Download Icon Download
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Shri Giridhar Aramane, India’s Defence Secretary, at the Indian Ministry of Defence in New Delhi, India, Oct. 7, 2024. The visit to India emphasized the U.S. commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Shri Giridhar Aramane, India’s Defence Secretary, at the Indian Ministry of Defence in New Delhi, India, Oct. 7, 2024. The visit to India emphasized the U.S. commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Shri Giridhar Aramane, India’s Defence Secretary, at the Indian Ministry of Defence in New Delhi, India, Oct. 7, 2024. The visit to India emphasized the U.S. commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
241007-N-N0801-1002
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Shri Giridhar Aramane, India’s Defence Secretary, at the Indian Ministry of Defence in New Delhi, India, Oct. 7, 2024. The visit to India emphasized the U.S. commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Download Image
Image Details
Photo By: Courtesy Photo
VIRIN: 241007-N-N0801-1002


Koehler visited the Information Fusion Center – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in New Delhi for a command brief and tour, and met with several senior Indian and U.S. government officials to discuss the importance of maritime security and interoperability between naval forces, especially in the critical Indian Ocean region, including:

●      Defense Secretary, Honorable Giridhar Aramane
●      Chief of the Naval Staff Adm. Dinesh Kumar Tripathi
●      Commander in Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice Adm. Rajesh Pendharkar
●      U.S. Ambassador to India, Honorable Eric Garcetti
●      Consul General of the U.S. in Hyderabad, Jennifer Larson
●      Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariate, Air Marshal (Ret) Sandeep Singh
●      Maritime Security Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariate, Vice Adm. (Ret) G. Ashok Kumar

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Rear Adm. K Venkatraman, assistant chief of naval staff for communications, space, and network centric operations, at the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region in New Delhi, India, Oct. 8, 2024. The visit to India emphasized the U.S. commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Rear Adm. K Venkatraman, assistant chief of naval staff for communications, space, and network centric operations, at the Information Fusion Centre - Indian Ocean Region in New Delhi, India, Oct. 8, 2024. The visit to India emphasized the U.S. commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Navy)
Indian Navy Vice Adm. Rajesh Pendharkar (center right), flag officer commanding-in-chief, Eastern Naval Command, speaks alongside senior leaders from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy and U.S. Navy during the opening ceremony for Exercise Malabar 2024 on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024.
VISAKHAPATNAM, India (Oct. 9, 2024) – Indian Navy Vice Adm. Rajesh Pendharkar (center right), flag officer commanding-in-chief, Eastern Naval Command, speaks alongside senior leaders from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy and U.S. Navy during the opening ceremony for Exercise Malabar 2024 on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, JMSDF and U.S. Navy participants. The exercise is designed to support achievement of strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting interoperability in the conduct of complex warfighting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
Military and civilian leaders from nations participating in Exercise Malabar 2024 pose for a group photo at the exercise’s opening ceremony on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024.
VISAKHAPATNAM, India (Oct. 9, 2024) – Military and civilian leaders from nations participating in Exercise Malabar 2024 pose for a group photo at the exercise’s opening ceremony on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy participants. The exercise is designed to support achievement of strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting interoperability in the conduct of complex warfighting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
VISAKHAPATNAM, India (Oct. 9, 2024) – U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler (right), commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Indian Navy Vice Adm. Rajesh Pendharkar, flag officer commanding-in-chief, Eastern Naval Command, during Exercise Malabar 2024 on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy participants. The exercise is designed to support achievement of strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting interoperability in the conduct of complex warfighting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
VISAKHAPATNAM, India (Oct. 9, 2024) – U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler (right), commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Indian Navy Vice Adm. Rajesh Pendharkar, flag officer commanding-in-chief, Eastern Naval Command, during Exercise Malabar 2024 on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy participants. The exercise is designed to support achievement of strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting interoperability in the conduct of complex warfighting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
VISAKHAPATNAM, India (Oct. 9, 2024) – U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler (left), commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Vice Adm. Katsushi Omachi, commander-in-chief, Japan Self-Defense Fleet, during Exercise Malabar 2024 on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, JMSDF and U.S. Navy participants. The exercise is designed to support achievement of strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting interoperability in the conduct of complex warfighting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
VISAKHAPATNAM, India (Oct. 9, 2024) – U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler (left), commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Vice Adm. Katsushi Omachi, commander-in-chief, Japan Self-Defense Fleet, during Exercise Malabar 2024 on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, JMSDF and U.S. Navy participants. The exercise is designed to support achievement of strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting interoperability in the conduct of complex warfighting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, back left, meets with Rear Adm. Chris Smith, commander, Australian Fleet, back right, during exercise Malabar 2024, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise that will take place in and around Visakhapatnam, India, and the Bay of Bengal, and focus on high-end warfighting and demonstrating interchangeability between Australian, Indian, Japanese and U.S. forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, back left, meets with Rear Adm. Chris Smith, commander, Australian Fleet, back right, during exercise Malabar 2024, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise that will take place in and around Visakhapatnam, India, and the Bay of Bengal, and focus on high-end warfighting and demonstrating interchangeability between Australian, Indian, Japanese and U.S. forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
VISAKHAPATNAM, India (Oct. 9, 2024) – Senior leaders from the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy and U.S. Navy meet during Exercise Malabar 2024 on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy participants. The exercise is designed to support achievement of strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting interoperability in the conduct of complex warfighting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
VISAKHAPATNAM, India (Oct. 9, 2024) – Senior leaders from the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy and U.S. Navy meet during Exercise Malabar 2024 on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy participants. The exercise is designed to support achievement of strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting interoperability in the conduct of complex warfighting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
VISAKHAPATNAM, India (Oct. 9, 2024) – U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler (left), commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Japan Self-Defense Force Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff, Japan Joint Staff, during Exercise Malabar 2024 on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy participants. The exercise is designed to support achievement of strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting interoperability in the conduct of complex warfighting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)
VISAKHAPATNAM, India (Oct. 9, 2024) – U.S. Navy Adm. Steve Koehler (left), commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, meets with Japan Self-Defense Force Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff, Japan Joint Staff, during Exercise Malabar 2024 on board Indian Navy Submarine Base Virbahu in Visakhapatnam, India, Oct. 9, 2024. Malabar 24 is a combined field training exercise with the Royal Australian Navy, Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and U.S. Navy participants. The exercise is designed to support achievement of strategic objectives by strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and promoting interoperability in the conduct of complex warfighting operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)


While in Visakhapatnam, Koehler attended the opening ceremony for the Malabar 2024 exercise, hosted by India Eastern Naval Command Commander-in-Chief Vice Adm. Rajesh Pendharkar, and attended by Royal Australian Navy Fleet Commander Rear Adm. Chris Smith, and Commander in Chief Japan Self Defense Fleet Vice Adm. Katsushi Omachi. The exercise, in its 28th iteration, is taking place in and around Visakhapatnam, India, and the Bay of Bengal, and is focused on high-end warfighting and demonstrating interchangeability between Australian, Indian, Japanese and U.S. forces.

The visit to India emphasized the U.S. commitment to strengthening alliances and partnerships for an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.
Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon