READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to French Polynesia, Nov. 22-23

26 November 2024

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Papeete, French Polynesia, Nov. 22-23, 2024, to increase interoperability and information-sharing with French armed forces in the Indo-Pacific.

Download

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, and Mr. Eric Spitz, high commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia, pose for a photo during Koehler’s visit to Papeete, French Polynesia, Nov. 23, 2024. Koehler traveled French Polynesia to increase interoperability and information-sharing with French armed forces in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the French Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, far left, meets with Mr. Eric Spitz, high commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia, center left, during Koehler’s visit to Papeete, French Polynesia, Nov. 23, 2024. Koehler traveled French Polynesia to increase interoperability and information-sharing with French armed forces in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the French Navy)

Koehler met with senior officials from the French Joint Headquarters to discuss the security environment in the Indo-Pacific region including the ongoing and future Pacific deployments to include the FS Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group.

Meetings included:

Eric Spitz – French Polynesia High Commissioner
Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget – French Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific (ALPACI) Joint Commander

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and his wife Gina, left, pose for a photo with Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, commander, Armed Forces of French Polynesia, and his wife Florence during Koehler’s visit to Tahiti, French Polynesia, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled French Polynesia to increase interoperability and information-sharing with French armed forces in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, commander, Armed Forces of French Polynesia, during his visit to Tahiti, French Polynesia, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled French Polynesia to increase interoperability and information-sharing with French armed forces in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, commander, Armed Forces of French Polynesia, right, gives a brief to Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and his team during Koehler’s visit to Papeete, French Polynesia, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled French Polynesia to increase interoperability and information-sharing with French armed forces in the Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the French Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center left, and Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, commander, Armed Forces of French Polynesia, center right, pose for a photo with their staffs during Koehler’s visit to Tahiti, French Polynesia, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled French Polynesia to increase interoperability and information-sharing with French armed forces in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, tours the French naval base and facilities with Armed Forces of French Polynesia personnel during his visit to Tahiti, French Polynesia, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled French Polynesia to increase interoperability and information-sharing with French armed forces in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, and Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, commander, Armed Forces of French Polynesia, center, meet with a French sailor during Koehler’s visit to Tahiti, French Polynesia, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled French Polynesia to increase interoperability and information-sharing with French armed forces in the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

While in Papeete, Koehler conducted an office call with Pinget to discuss how the two navies can build upon mutual capability and operational goals. Koehler also toured the French naval base and facilities. Koehler and Pinget’s discussions are part of a collaborative relationship focused on shared goals of Pacific Island security and resilience in the Pacific that is free from coercion.

The visit to French Polynesia underscored Koehler’s commitment to strengthening partnerships in the Indo-Pacific and advancing a shared vision for peace and stability by upholding the rules based international order.