READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Japan, Oct. 20-23

30 October 2024

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited Japan alongside Fleet Master Chief Donald L. Davis Jr, Oct. 20-23, 2024, to reaffirm the U.S.-Japan alliance as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.

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Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Masataka Okano, vice minister for foreign affairs, right, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in Tokyo, Oct. 21, 2024. The visit to Japan underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

Koehler met with senior Japanese and U.S. officials to discuss the increasing security challenges in the Indo-Pacific and continued progress of trilateral cooperation between the U.S., Japan, and Republic of Korea.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with the U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emmanuel at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Oct. 20, 2024. The visit to Japan underscored the United States’ commitment to 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, center left, meets with Yutaka Arima, director-general of the North American Affairs Bureau, center right, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan in Tokyo, Oct. 21, 2024. The visit to Japan underscored the United States’ commitment to 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 Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff of the Japan Joint Staff, in Tokyo, Oct. 21, 2024. The visit to Japan underscored the United States’ commitment to 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 Adm. Akira Saito, chief of the maritime staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, in Tokyo, Oct. 21, 2024. The visit to Japan underscored the United States’ commitment to 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, center right, meets with Kemy Monahan, deputy chief of mission to Japan, center, Adm. Yoshio Seguchi, commandant of the Japanese Coast Guard, center left, and other senior leaders in Tokyo, Oct. 21, 2024. The visit to Japan underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. (Photo Courtesy of U.S. Navy)

The meetings included:

Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Masataka Okano
Director-General of North American Affairs Bureau, Mr. Yutaka Arima
U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel
Parliamentary Vice Minister of Defense, Mr. Shingo Miyake
Chief of Staff, Japan Joint Staff, Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida
Chief of the Maritime Staff, Adm. Akira Saito
Commandant, Japan Coast Guard, Adm. Yoshio Seguchi

While in Sasebo, Koehler participated in a press conference aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD 22) for exercise Keen Sword 2025 hosted by Japan Joint Staff chief of staff Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida. The exercise is a biennial, joint and bilateral field training exercise designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the U.S.-Japan alliance.

241022-N-FI026-1752 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, and Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide, chief of staff, Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces, conduct a press conference for Keen Sword 25 aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), Oct. 22, 2024. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Commutation Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian)

241022-N-FI026-1638 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, and Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide, chief of staff, Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces, conduct a press conference for Keen Sword 25 aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), Oct. 22, 2024. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Commutation Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian)

241022-N-FI026-1754 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, listens to a question aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) during a Keen Sword 25 press conference, Oct. 22, 2024. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Commutation Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian)

241022-N-FI026-1638 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, and Gen. Yoshida Yoshihide, chief of staff, Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces, conduct a press conference for Keen Sword 25 aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22), Oct. 22, 2024. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Commutation Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian)

241022-N-FI026-1614 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, and Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of staff, Joint Staff, Japan Self-Defense Forces conduct a one-on-one discussion aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD 22) prior to a press conference for Keen Sword 25, Oct. 22, 2024. Keen Sword is a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Commutation Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Bakerian)

Koehler and Davis also toured Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, met with installation leadership, and conducted an all hands call aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). During the all hands call, Koehler thanks the Sailors and Civilians from the waterfront for their service, discussed his Fleet Order on Professionalism, and emphasized their hard work as vital to advancing Pacific Fleet’s warfighting capabilities and ensures our force is ready to respond to any contingency across the globe at any time.

241022-N-FC892-1064 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Admiral Steve Koehler, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, greets Sailors prior to a Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo-area all hands call aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cole Pursley)

241022-N-FC892-1166 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Admiral Steve Koehler, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, conducts a Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo-area all hands call aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cole Pursley)

241022-N-FC892-1150 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Fleet Master Chief Donald L. Davis, Jr. speaks during a Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo-area all hands call with Admiral Steve Koehler, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cole Pursley)

241022-N-FC892-1079 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Captain Patrick German, commanding officer of Amphibious Squadron 11, introduces Admiral Steve Koehler, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during a Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo-area all hands call aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cole Pursley)

241022-N-FC892-1075 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Captain Patrick German, commanding officer of Amphibious Squadron 11, introduces Admiral Steve Koehler, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during a Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo-area all hands call aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6). America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cole Pursley)

241022-N-FC892-1064 SASEBO, Japan (Oct. 22, 2024) Captain Manuel Pardo, left, commanding officer of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) welcomes Admiral Steve Koehler, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, aboard America prior to a Commander Fleet Activities Sasebo-area all hands call aboard the ship. America, lead ship of the America Amphibious Ready Group, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cole Pursley)

Koehler met with Sasebo City senior leaders including Sasebo Mayor Mr. Daisuke Miyajima and Sasebo City Assembly Chairman Mr. Kenji Hayashi and thanked them for their support to the forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) assigned there.

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, poses for a photo with Sasebo Mayor Daisuke Miyajima after exchanging gifts at a friendship dinner in Sasebo, Japan, Oct. 22, 2024. Koehler met with Sasebo City senior leaders while visiting Sasebo to hold a press conference to commence Keen Sword 25, a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sophia H. Bumps)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, poses for a photo with Sasebo City Assembly Chairman Kenji Hayashi after exchanging gifts at a friendship dinner in Sasebo, Japan, Oct. 22, 2024. Koehler met with Sasebo City senior leaders while visiting Sasebo to hold a press conference to commence Keen Sword 25, a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sophia H. Bumps)

Capt. Michael Fontaine, Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) speaks to Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, at the Shogun Café during a luncheon at CFAS Oct. 22, 2024. Koehler toured CFAS, met with installation leadership, and conducted an all hands call aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) while in Sasebo to hold a press conference to commence Keen Sword 25, a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sophia H. Bumps)

Capt. Michael Fontaine, Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) speaks to Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and his staff at the Shogun Café during a luncheon at CFAS Oct. 22, 2024. Koehler toured CFAS, met with installation leadership, and conducted an all hands call aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) while in Sasebo to hold a press conference to commence Keen Sword 25, a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sophia H. Bumps)

Capt. Michael Fontaine, Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) and Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, serve themselves at the Shogun Café salad bar during a luncheon at CFAS, Oct. 22, 2024. Koehler toured CFAS, met with installation leadership, and conducted an all hands call aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) while in Sasebo to hold a press conference to commence Keen Sword 25, a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sophia H. Bumps)

Adm. Stephen Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, chooses food options at the Shogun Café during a luncheon at Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo (CFAS) Oct. 22, 2024. Koehler toured CFAS, met with installation leadership, and conducted an all hands call aboard the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) while in Sasebo to hold a press conference to commence Keen Sword 25, a biennial, joint and bilateral field-training exercise involving the U.S. military and Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel, designed to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening the ironclad U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sophia H. Bumps)

The visit to Japan underscored the United States’ commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient