Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, visits Australia

Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, center left, and Erika Olson, charge d’affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, Australia, stand at attention for the playing of the U.S. national anthem during the USA Partnership Pavillion opening ceremony at the Royal Australian Navy Indo-Pacific Sea Power Conference 2025 (RAN IP25) in Sydney, Nov. 4, 2025. RAN IP25 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The U.S.- Australia alliance remains a cornerstone for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The visit to Australia further deepened the strong relationship and advanced both countries’ shared interest in maintaining freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Christopher Aric Sypert)