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Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center right, and Lt. David Sanad, commanding officer of the French Navy’s FNS Auguste Bénébig, center, pose for a photo with members of the ship’s crew during the Pacific Partnership 2025 closing ceremony, in Apia, Samoa, Oct. 31, 2025. Now in its 21st iteration, the Pacific Partnership series is the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific which fosters relationships, strengthens regional stability, and increases readiness to respond to crises. The visit to Samoa underscored Koehler’s commitment to the Pacific Islands in addressing our shared maritime challenges to promote a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Aric Sypert)