READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to New Zealand, Nov. 20-22

26 November 2024

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited New Zealand, Nov. 20-22, 2024, to strengthen and advance the long-standing partnership between New Zealand and the United States.

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Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, poses for a photo with Mr. Brook Barrington, New Zealand secretary of defence force, during his visit to New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Koehler met with senior New Zealand and U.S. officials to discuss shared maritime security priorities in the Indo-Pacific and opportunities to deepen naval cooperation and interoperability.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, poses for a photo with Tom Udall, U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand during his visit to New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, participates in an inter-agency roundtable with senior officials of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade during his visit to New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, greets Air Marshal Tony Davies, New Zealand chief of defence, during his visit to New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Maj. Gen. Robert Krushka, commander, Joint Forces New Zealand, during his visit to New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, poses for a photo with Rear Adm. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, during his visit to New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Rear Adm. Mat Williams, New Zealand vice chief of defence force, during his visit to New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks to U.S. Marines assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Wellington during his visit to New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, poses for a photo with U.S. Marines assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Wellington during his visit to New Zealand, Nov. 21, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Meetings included:

Brook Barrington – Secretary of Defense
Air Marshal Tony Davies – Chief of Defense
Rear Adm. Mat Williams – Vice Chief of Defense Force
Rear Adm. Garin Golding – Chief of Navy
Maj. Gen. Robert Krushka – Commander Joint Forces New Zealand
Tom Udall – U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand

In Wellington, Koehler welcomed New Zealand’s deepening partnership with the United States and its increased naval deployments to uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific. Senior officials of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade shared insight on the direction of New Zealand’s foreign and security policy and discussed areas of collaboration. Koehler’s visit included a stop at the Pukeahu National War Memorial where he and Rear Adm. Golding laid a wreath to honor the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, and Rear Adm. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the New Zealand National War Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open 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. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, give their respects after laying wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the New Zealand National War Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, and Rear Adm. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, left, meet with Mr. Brodie Stubbs, manager of the New Zealand National War Memorial, during a tour of the memorial in Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, lays a remembrance poppy on the United States Memorial at the New Zealand National War Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open 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. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, salute after laying remembrance poppies on the United States Memorial at the New Zealand National War Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

From left to right: Mrs. Gina Koehler, Mr. Brodie Stubbs, manager of the New Zealand National War Memorial, Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Rear Adm. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, view the United States Memorial in Wellington, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

In Auckland, Koehler participated in a pōwhiri, a traditional Māori welcome ceremony, spoke alongside Golding to Royal New Zealand Navy personnel on leadership and challenges in the Indo-Pacific, and toured the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, and Rear Adm. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, exchange gifts during Koehler’s visit to Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center right, his wife Gina, center, Rear Adm. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, center left, and their staffs pose for a photo after participating in a pōwhiri, a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony, in Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, accepts a challenge from a Royal New Zealand Navy Warrior during a pōwhiri, a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony, in Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (RNZN photo by Petty Officer Chris Weissenborn)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks to Royal New Zealand Navy sailors during a pōwhiri, a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony, in Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (RNZN photo by Petty Officer Chris Weissenborn)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, takes in an exhibit during a tour of the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum in Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, and his wife Gina, left, listen as Ms. Charis Boos, public programmes manager of the Torpedo Bay Navy Museum, gives a tour of the museum during Koehler’s visit to Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, far left, and Rear Adm. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, speak to Royal New Zealand Navy personnel on leadership and challenges in the Indo-Pacific during his visit to Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (RNZN photo by Petty Officer Chris Weissenborn)

At the Royal New Zealand Navy’s Devonport base, he met with New Zealand naval divers, hydrographers and surveyors assigned to HMNZS Matataua, a littoral warfare unit. He also toured HMNZS Aotearoa and congratulated the crew on their recent deployment throughout the Indo-Pacific, including participation in the 2024 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise in Hawaii. Koehler emphasized the value of New Zealand’s deployment with like-minded partners in upholding the rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific.

Royal New Zealand Navy Sailor, Able Rate Maxim Iskhakov, assigned to HMNZS Matataua, a littoral warfare unit, right, shows hydrographer and surveyor equipment to Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during Koehler’s visit to Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Royal New Zealand Navy Sailor, Able Rate Luke Morris, assigned to HMNZS Matataua, a littoral warfare unit, right, shows hydrographer and surveyor equipment to Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during Koehler’s visit to Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open 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 sailors assigned to HMNZS Matataua, a littoral warfare unit, during his visit to Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center right, and Rear Adm. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, center left, pose for a photo with Royal New Zealand Navy sailors assigned to the HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) during a tour of the ship in Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (RNZN photo by Petty Officer Chris Weissenborn)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, speaks to sailors assigned to HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) during a tour of the ship in Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, speaks with Lt. Cmdr. Philip Davies, executive officer of the HMNZS Aotearoa (A11), during a tour of the ship in Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, Rear Adm. Garin Golding, New Zealand chief of navy, right, and Lt. Cmdr. Philip Davies, executive officer of the HMNZS Aotearoa (A11), tour Aotearoa during Koehler’s visit to Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, salutes as he departs the HMNZS Aotearoa (A11) after touring the ship during his visit to Auckland, New Zealand, Nov. 22, 2024. Koehler traveled to New Zealand to strengthen and advance the strong partnership between New Zealand and the U.S. for an enduring resilient, free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jeremy R. Boan)

The visit to New Zealand underscored U.S. commitment to an Indo-Pacific that is free and open, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient.