U.S. Navy Joins Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo in Indonesia

18 February 2025

From Lt.Cmdr. Seth Koenig

The U.S. Navy joined more than 20 navies for the opening ceremony of the Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK), hosted by the Indonesian Navy in Bali, Indonesia, on Feb. 16.

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BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 16, 2025) - Representatives of 38 nations pose together for a group photo during the opening ceremony of Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 16. Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, MNEK 2025 is an international, joint exercise taking place in the vicinity of Bali, Indonesia, emphasizing multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

MNEK emphasizes multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response protocols. The exercise takes place in conjunction with the International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS), the largest international symposium organized by the Indonesian Navy. The theme of this year’s IMSS is “Addressing Maritime Security Challenges with Technology and Cooperation.”

“I am proud of what the U.S. Pacific Fleet and our joint force can generate in terms of military power, our ability to synchronize in all domains, and do all of that with our allies and partners,” said Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during his presentation at the IMSS. “We will continue to be a reliable maritime partner for all like-minded nations and their citizens in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. We do so with unity of purpose, and with a powerful and resolute force.”

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 17, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, delivers remarks during the 6th International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS), held in conjunction with Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025, in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 17. The IMSS is the largest international symposium event organized by the Indonesian Navy that brings naval leaders from around the world to discuss the latest maritime issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, speaks with Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Indonesia’s minister of defense, during the 6th International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS), held in conjunction with Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025, in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 17.

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 17, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, speaks with Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, Indonesia’s minister of defense, during the 6th International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS), held in conjunction with Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025, in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 17. The IMSS is the largest international symposium event organized by the Indonesian Navy that brings naval leaders from around the world to discuss the latest maritime issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 17, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, speaks with H. E. Arif Havas Oegroseno, Indonesia’s vice minister for foreign affairs, during the 6th International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS), held in conjunction with Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025, in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 17. The IMSS is the largest international symposium event organized by the Indonesian Navy that brings naval leaders from around the world to discuss the latest maritime issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 17, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center left, speaks with Vice Adm. Vineet McCarty, Indian Navy controller personnel services, center right, during the 6th International Maritime Security Symposium (IMSS), held in conjunction with Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 17. The IMSS is the largest international symposium event organized by the Indonesian Navy that brings naval leaders from around the world to discuss the latest maritime issues. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 16, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, poses for a photo with members of the Indonesian welcoming party before the opening ceremony of Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 16. Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, MNEK 2025 is an international, joint exercise taking place in the vicinity of Bali, Indonesia, emphasizing multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 16, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, observes the opening ceremony of Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 alongside representatives from 37 other participating nations in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 16. Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, MNEK 2025 is an international, joint exercise taking place in the vicinity of Bali, Indonesia, emphasizing multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105), as well as a P-8A Poseidon aircraft from Commander, Task Force 72, are representing U.S. Navy forces in the exercise.

The theme for this year’s MNEK is “Maritime Partnership for Peace and Stability.” The theme is designed to encourage multinational naval forces coordination to strengthen Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR), establish civil-military linkage, and enhance a mutual understanding and interoperability toward affected regions.

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 16, 2025) - Adm. Muhammad Ali, chief of staff of the Indonesian Navy, right, greets Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, as he arrives for the opening ceremony of Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 16. Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, MNEK 2025 is an international, joint exercise taking place in the vicinity of Bali, Indonesia, emphasizing multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 16, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, greets Mario Ignacio Artaza, Republic of Chile ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, left, alongside Indonesian Navy Rear Adm. Achmad Wibisono during the opening ceremony of Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 16. Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, MNEK 2025 is an international, joint exercise taking place in the vicinity of Bali, Indonesia, emphasizing multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 16, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, greets Indonesian Navy Rear Adm. Achmad Wibisono during the opening ceremony of Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 16. Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, MNEK 2025 is an international, joint exercise taking place in the vicinity of Bali, Indonesia, emphasizing multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 16, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, speaks with Vice Adm. Mark Hammond, Australia’s chief of navy, during the opening ceremony of Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 16. Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, MNEK 2025 is an international, joint exercise taking place in the vicinity of Bali, Indonesia, emphasizing multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 16, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, greets Bangladesh Navy Rear Adm. S. M. Abul Kalam Azad, commander, Dhaka Naval Area, during the opening ceremony of Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 16. Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, MNEK 2025 is an international, joint exercise taking place in the vicinity of Bali, Indonesia, emphasizing multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 16, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, greets Vice Adm. Juan Ricardo Rozo Obregón, Columbia's chief of navy, during Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 16. Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, MNEK 2025 is an international, joint exercise taking place in the vicinity of Bali, Indonesia, emphasizing multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

BALI, Indonesia (Feb. 16, 2025) - Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, greets Indonesian Army Maj. Gen. Muhammad Zamroni, commander, Military Regional Command IX/Udayana, during Multilateral Naval Exercise Komodo (MNEK) 2025 in Bali, Indonesia, Feb. 16. Hosted by the Indonesian Navy, MNEK 2025 is an international, joint exercise taking place in the vicinity of Bali, Indonesia, emphasizing multilateral maritime cooperation and disaster response. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Caroline H. Lui)

During a six-day harbor phase, the exercise will include international military workshops on infrastructure repairs and emergency medical response, as well as community outreach and cultural exchanges. That will be followed by a sea phase, during which participating ships and aircraft will conduct coordinated maneuvering and search-and-rescue training.

Komodo 2025 is the fifth iteration of the exercise, which was first held in 2014.

Dewey operates under Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed destroyer squadron and U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

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.