The summit consisted of Sailors assigned to Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT), U.S. 7th Fleet; Vice Chief of Information (VCI); Navy Public Affairs Command (NPAC) West and Head Quarters (HQ); and Navy Closure Task Force - Red Hill (NCTF-RH).

Reserve Sailors honed their ability to create a strategic information advantage across the Indo-Pacific. Through direct senior leader engagements, detailed operational briefings, and immersive joint training exercises, they actively developed and assessed compelling narratives that resonated in the region. These narratives focused on demonstrating seamless interoperability with partner militaries and reinforcing a shared commitment to regional security.

“On the heels of a new National Defense Strategy, a four-day immersion that aligns our Reserve Component Sailors to the Chief of Naval Operations’ Fighting Instructions, and U.S. Pacific Fleet’s lines of effort are critical to ensuring that, when called, our Sailors are certified and ready to surge on day one,” said Capt. Christopher Lopez, commanding officer, U.S. Pacific Fleet Reserve Public Affairs.

The summit included senior leader engagements at COMPACFLT HQ, where participants drew lessons from briefings led by Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; Rear Adm. Joaquin Martinez De Pinillos, vice commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet; and Rear Adm. Richard Meyer, vice director for maritime operations, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Additionally, the summit included a briefing by Brig. Gen. Michael Rose, deputy director of operations, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), who provided an overview of joint operations in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.

Koehler underscored the critical role of public affairs at the operational level of war. He emphasized the need to integrate information into operational lines of effort during competition, crisis, and conflict. He also highlighted the value of communicating with and strengthening relationships with allies and partners in the region as the nation’s key asymmetric advantage.

Sailors familiarized themselves with the COMPACFLT Maritime Operations Center and gained insights on best practices from a recent combined and joint command post exercise in the region.



To gain firsthand exposure to surface warfare operations and shipboard public affairs requirements, Sailors participated in immersion tours of the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Carl M. Levin (DDG 120).

Sailors reinforced the Warrior Ethos by integrating physical training and team-building throughout the week including a group run through the historic Ford Island.

Acting Chief of Information Rear Adm. John Robinson shared his vision for a Navy Reserve public affairs force postured to operate alongside the active component on day one.

Martinez de Pinillos, himself a Reservist, spoke to the critical importance of Reserve Component Warfighting readiness and challenged the assembled public affairs warfighters to deliver combat credibility through excellence in “professionalism, combat readiness, safety, stewardship, teamwork and resiliency.”

“The Public Affairs Summit created the mission alignment needed to show how the Navy Reserve is a critical part of the Foundry, forging ready forces that strengthen the Fleet’s lethality and reach across the Indo-Pacific region,” said Ensign Zaira Garcia. “The convening was critical in understanding our individual role and readiness to carry out the mission.”

U.S. Pacific Fleet is the world’s largest fleet command, responsible for leading and employing maritime forces across the Indo-Pacific region in support of U.S. national interests.