READOUT: Pacific Fleet Commander’s travel to New Zealand and Antarctica, Feb. 10-15

25 February 2026

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visited New Zealand and Antarctica, Feb. 10-15, 2026, to strengthen the long-standing partnership between New Zealand and the United States and to visit the Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica (JTF-SFA) service members who work year-round to safeguard national security interests by ensuring the continent remains protected and reserved for peaceful purposes.

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Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, tours McMurdo Station in Antarctica

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center left, poses for a photo with Sailors assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 – Antarctica Detachment, during his visit to McMurdo Station, Antarctica, Feb. 12, 2026. Koehler visited Antarctica to meet with service members assigned to Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica, deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze, which provides logistic support for the U.S. Antarctic Program. The U.S. is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and trains the military to support the U.S. National Science Foundation programs located in one of the most challenging and austere environments on the planet. (U.S. Navy photo by Builder 2nd Class Komlan Adjassem)

While in Antarctica, Koehler met with U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) officials to understand the valuable research the agency conducts in the world’s harshest environment in support of the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). USAP’s goals are to support the 1959 Antarctic Treaty, foster cooperative research with other nations like New Zealand, protect the Antarctic environment, and develop measures to ensure equitable and wise use of resources.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center, interacts with Sailors assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 – Antarctica Detachment during a tour of McMurdo Station while in Antarctica, Feb. 12, 2026. Koehler visited Antarctica to meet with service members assigned to Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica, deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze, which provides logistic support for the U.S. Antarctic Program. The U.S. is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and trains the military to support the U.S. National Science Foundation programs located in one of the most challenging and austere environments on the planet. (U.S. Navy photo by Builder 2nd Class Komlan Adjassem)

The NSF and USAP are proudly supported by JTF-SFA military personnel from the U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, and Navy deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze. The mission provides airlift, sealift, emergency response, port cargo handling, and transportation to personnel assigned to the research stations and demonstrates the U.S. military’s commitment to supporting research programs conducted for the betterment of all humanity.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, right, receives a tour of McMurdo Station from Builder 2nd Class Brett Feind, assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 – Antarctica Detachment, during his visit to Antarctica, Feb. 12, 2026. Koehler visited Antarctica to meet with service members assigned to Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica, deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze, which provides logistic support for the U.S. Antarctic Program. The U.S. is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and trains the military to support the U.S. National Science Foundation programs located in one of the most challenging and austere environments on the planet. (U.S. Navy photo by Builder 2nd Class Komlan Adjassem)

Koehler visited with service members and personnel assigned to McMurdo Station, Ross Island; and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, at the geographic South Pole. He spoke with Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3, homeported out of Port Hueneme, California, and Sailors from Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 1, homeported out of Williamsburg, Virginia, and the only active-duty cargo handling battalion in the Navy. Koehler acknowledged the tremendous construction work that the Sailors are completing in the coldest, windiest, and most inhospitable location on the planet. The Seabee detachment is currently building a permanent loading pier to replace ice piers that will enable the sealift of 80% of the essential supplies, food, and fuel needed for year-round operations at the research stations.

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center left, interacts with Sailors assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 – Antarctica Detachment during a tour of McMurdo Station while in Antarctica, Feb. 12, 2026. Koehler visited Antarctica to meet with service members assigned to Joint Task Force-Support Forces Antarctica, deployed in support of Operation Deep Freeze, which provides logistic support for the U.S. Antarctic Program. The U.S. is committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, and trains the military to support the U.S. National Science Foundation programs located in one of the most challenging and austere environments on the planet. (U.S. Navy photo by Builder 2nd Class Komlan Adjassem)

Koehler acknowledged Operation Deep Freeze as a critical mission executed by well-trained and ready professionals – making the extremely difficult, in the most austere environment, look routine and easy.

While in Christchurch, New Zealand, Koehler toured the Air Force Museum of New Zealand alongside Lt. Gen. Laura Lenderman, deputy commander, U.S. Pacific Air Forces. The two leaders paid respects and placed poppies at the Roll of Honour for two Royal New Zealand aviators who died while flying on a joint strike mission with the U.S. Navy during World War II in May 1944.

The visit to New Zealand and Antarctica underscored U.S. commitment to maintaining peace, stability, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.