READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Chile, March 16-19, 2025

24 March 2025

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Chile, March 16-19, 2025 to affirm the close relationship and enduring friendship between Chile and the United States. As Pacific nations, the countries share a common vision for peace and security in the region and partnership in the maritime domain.

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Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Adm. Juan Andres De La Maza, commander-in-chief, Chilean Navy, at the Chilean Navy Headquarters in Valparaíso, Chile, March 17, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States' commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Koehler met with Chilean Navy leadership and U.S. officials to demonstrate the importance of the bilateral defense relationship, exchange views on regional security challenges, and integration between the two navies to strengthen deterrence. The two navies routinely conduct bilateral and multilateral exercises, including RIMPAC, UNITAS, and DESI.

From left to right: Vice Adm. Mauricio Arenas, commander of naval operations, Chilean Navy, Capt. Carlos Zuniga, director, Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA), Chilean Navy, and Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, pose for a photo at the SHOA headquarters in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Rear Adm. Arturo Oxley, commander Second Naval Zone, Chilean Navy, at the Second Naval Zone Command headquarters in Talcahuano, Chile, March 19, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

From left to right: Rear Adm. Arturo Oxley, commander Second Naval Zone, Chilean Navy; Rear Adm, Federico Saelzer, commander, Submarine Force Command, Chilean Navy; Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; and Capt. Tyler Ross, U.S. defense attaché, U.S. Embassy Santiago, pose for a photo at the Chilean Navy’s Submarine Force Command headquarters in Talcahuano, Chile, March 19, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Rear Adm. Alberto Guerrero, director of programs, research, and development, Chilean Navy, at the Chilean Coast Guard Headquarters in Rapa Nui, Chile, March 16, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States' commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Chilean Navy Capt. Juan Pablo Castro Brahm, director of Arturo Prat Naval Academy, at the Academy’s museum in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, meets with Capt. Carlos Zuniga, director, Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA), Chilean Navy, at the SHOA headquarters in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Meeting with officials included:

Adm. Juan Andres De la Maza, commander-in-chief of the Navy
Vice Adm. Mauricio Arenas, commander of naval operations
Rear Adm. Arturo Oxley, commander of the Second Naval Zone
Rear Adm. Ricardo Chiffelle, commander of naval aviation
Rear Adm. Federico Saelzer, commander of submarine force
Rear Adm. Alberto Guerrero, director of programs, research, and development of the Navy
Capt. Juan Pablo Castro Brahm, director of the Arturo Prat Naval Academy
Capt. Carlos Zuniga, director of Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy
Richard Yoneoka, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center left, meets with Adm. Juan Andres De La Maza, commander-in-chief, Chilean Navy, center, and their respective staffs, at the Chilean Navy Headquarters in Valparaíso, Chile, March 17, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States' commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT), left, and Adm. Juan Andres De La Maza, commander-in-chief, Chilean Navy, right, pose for a photo with Legion of Merit recipients Vice Adm. (ret.) Jose Luis Fernandez Morales, center left, and Capt. Fernando Mendez, chief of staff of the First Naval Zone, at the Chilean Navy Headquarters in Valparaíso, Chile, March 17, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States' commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT), left, presents a Legion of Merit to Capt. Fernando Mendez, chief of staff of the First Naval Zone, Chilean Navy at the Chilean Navy Headquarters in Valparaíso, Chile, March 17, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States' commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, presents a Legion of Merit to Vice Adm. (ret.) Jose Luis Fernandez Morales, at the Chilean Navy Headquarters in Valparaíso, Chile, March 17, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States' commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Vice Adm. Mauricio Arenas, commander of naval operations, Chilean Navy, left, at the Chilean Navy’s Naval Operations Command in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center right, Adm. Juan Andres De La Maza, commander-in-chief, Chilean Navy, center left, and their respective staffs pose for a photo during a tour of the Chilean Navy’s Naval Operations Command in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

From left to right: Adm. Juan Andres De La Maza, commander-in-chief, Chilean Navy, Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and Vice Adm. Mauricio Arenas, commander of naval operations, Chilean Navy, pose for a photo during a tour of the Chilean Navy’s Naval Operations Command in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, signs the guest book at the Chilean Navy’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service’s headquarters in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Capt. Carlos Zuniga, director, Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA), Chilean Navy, left, gives an overview of the SHOA mission to Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center right, and his staff at the SHOA headquarters in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Chilean cadets conduct a changing of the guard ceremony at the Arturo Prat Naval Academy, in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, signs the guest book at the Arturo Prat Naval Academy, in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Chilean midshipmen, at the Arturo Prat Naval Academy in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, tours the Arturo Prat Naval Academy museum, in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, and his wife, Gina Koehler, tour the Arturo Prat Naval Academy museum, in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Chilean Navy Capt. Juan Pablo Castro Brahm, director of Arturo Prat Naval Academy, in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Chilean midshipmen, right, render honors to Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, during a visit to the Arturo Prat Naval Academy in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Chilean Navy Capt. Juan Pablo Castro Brahm, director of Arturo Prat Naval Academy, left, gives a tour to Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, signs the guest book following a meeting with Capt. Juan Pablo Castro Brahm, director of the Arturo Prat Naval Academy, in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, meets with Chilean midshipmen, whom have previously studied at the U.S. Naval Academy, at the Arturo Prat Naval Academy in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

From left to right: Rear Adm. Alberto Guerrero, director of programs, research, and development of the Navy, Chilean Navy, Capt. Juan Pablo Castro Brahm, director of Arturo Prat Naval Academy, Chilean Navy, Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and members of Koehler’s staff pose for a photo at the Arturo Prat Naval Academy in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Chilean cadets, right, render honors to Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, during a visit to the Arturo Prat Naval Academy in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

While in Valparaiso, Koehler visited Chilean Navy Headquarters, Naval Operations Command, Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy, Arturo Prat Naval Academy, and Naval Aviation Command.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, salutes the honor guard during a visit to the Chilean Navy’s Second Naval Zone Command headquarters in Talcahuano, Chile, March 19, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, signs the guest book at the Chilean Navy’s Naval Operations Command following a meeting with Adm. Juan Andres De La Maza, commander-in-chief, Chilean Navy, left, and Vice Adm. Mauricio Arenas, commander of naval operations, Chilean Navy, in Valparaiso, Chile, March 18, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Rear Adm. Arturo Oxley , commander Secondnd Naval Zone, Chilean Navy, at the Second Naval Zone Command headquarters in Talcahuano, Chile, March 19, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Capt. Rafael Castillo Vallejos, general manager, ASMAR Shipyard Talcahuano, Chilean Navy, center right, gives an overview of shipyard activities to Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center left, at the ASMAR Shipyard in Talcahuano, Chile, March 19, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, sixth from the left, members of his staff, and senior Chilean Naval officers pose for a photo at the ASMAR Shipyard in Talcahuano, Chile, March 19, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, signs the guest book at the ASMAR Shipyard in Talcahuano, Chile, March 19, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, meets with senior Chilean Naval officers during a submarine tour onboard Chilean submarine Thomson (SS-20) at the Chilean Navy’s Submarine Force Command headquarters in Talcahuano, Chile, March 19, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to Chile Richard Yoneoka, center right, and their respective staffs pose for a photo during a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Santiago, Chile, March 17, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Chile)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, signs the guest book at the Chilean Navy’s Submarine Force Command headquarters in Talcahuano, Chile, March 19, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the Chilean Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center left, and his staff, meets with Rear Adm. Alberto Guerrero, director of programs, research, and development, Chilean Navy, center right, at the Chilean Coast Guard Headquarters in Rapa Nui, Chile, March 16, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States' commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy)

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, left, meets with Cdr. Miguel Bravo, Maritime Governor of Easter Island (Rapa Nui), Chilean Navy, at the Chilean Coast Guard Headquarters in Rapa Nui, Chile, March 16, 2025. The visit to Chile underscored the United States' commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy)

Koehler visited the Second Naval Zone headquarters in Talcahuano, and toured the ASMAR naval shipyard, and submarine force command.

The visit to Chile underscored the United States’ commitment to strengthening deterrence alongside our allies and partners to maintain a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.