A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force CH-47 helicopter lands on LPD FS Tonnerre (L9104) during the Jeanne D’Arc 2021 exercise in Japan. French Armed Forces Photo
KUALA LUMPUR – As France’s Jeanne D’Arc deployment nears its conclusion, the French are looking to continue high-end operations in the Indo-Pacific region, according to two French officials in command of the deployment. Read More
U.S. Air Force Gen. Ken Wilsbach, commander, Pacific Air Forces, adjusts his flight suit equipment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on May 10, 2021, in the Gulf of Alaska during Exercise Northern Edge 2021 (NE21). US Navy Photo
KUALA LUMPUR — U.S. Pacific Air Forces is crafting a dual strategy of defensive capabilities and dispersal of forces in order to negate the threat posed to its forces and bases by China’s increasing military capabilities, the PACAF commander said. Read More
Royal Malaysian Air Force Photo
KUALA LUMPUR – Sixteen aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force conducted a large-scale transport formation exercise over the South China Sea near Borneo on Monday and entered the airspace of Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ), the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) said in a statement today. Read More
San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans (LPD-18), joined by the Royal Australian Navy’s Anzac-class frigate HMAS Parramatta (FFH-154), the French Navy’s amphibious assault helicopter carrier FS Tonnerre (L9014), and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s Ōsumi class tank landing ship JS Ōsumi, transit together during exercise Jeanne D’Arc 21 (ARC-21), off the coast of Kagoshima, Japan on May 14, 2021. US Marine Corps.
KUALA LUMPUR – Joint drills between allies in Japan between the U.S., Japanese, French and Australian navies helped the countries better understand how they can operate together in the Indo-Pacific, two U.S. officials leading the exercise. Read More
American, Japanese, French and Australian commanders salute their respective flags during the opening ceremony for exercise Jeanne D’Arc 21, in Camp Ainoura, Sasebo, Japan, May 11th, 2021. ARC-21 is an opportunity for US, French, Japanese, and Australian forces to share experiences, tactics, and best practices to sharpen their skills together. US Marine Corps Photo
The United States, Japan, France and Australia began their joint training exercise Jeanne D’Arc 21 in the Indo-Pacific region this week. Read More
Charles De Gaulle – The carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91) docked at Changi Naval Base during its 2019 deployment to the region Photo by Dzirhan Mahadzir
KUALA LUMPUR – Far from France, Rear Adm. Jean-Mathieu Rey, Joint Commander French Armed Forces in the Asia-Pacific (ALPACI), is responsible for French security interests in the Indo-Pacific – an area of the world that’s growing in complexity as tensions between the U.S. and China continue to build, he told USNI News. Read More
PLAN Ocean Salvage and Rescue Ship Yongxing Dao-863
KUALA LUMPUR – China has dispatched three ships to Indonesia to assist in the salvaging of the Indonesian attack submarine KRI Nanggala (402). Two ships – the People’s Liberation Army Navy Ocean Tug Nantuo-195 and PLAN Ocean Salvage and Rescue Ship Yongxing Dao-863 – arrived on scene May 3 and the third ship, scientific research vessel Tan Suo 2, is expected to arrive today. Read More
KRI Nanggala (402) in 2015. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated with additional information on the loss of KRI Nanggala.
KUALA LUMPUR — The Indonesian Armed Forces announced the finding of the wreckage of attack submarine KRI Nanggala (402) and that all 53 personnel on board it had perished. Read More
A P-8A Poseidon, assigned to the ‘Fighting Tigers’ of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, lands at Misawa Air Base during scheduled flight operations on Jan. 15, 2021. US Navy Photo
This post has been updated with a Friday statement from the Pentagon.
KUALA LUMPUR — Indonesia is focusing its search efforts for missing submarine KRI Nanggala (402) in an area 25 miles north of Celukan Bawang Beach in Bali, while both Australia and the United States have joined the search effort with the commitment of two ships and an aircraft, respectively. Read More
MV Swift Rescue departing Changi Naval Base for the search operation. Singapore Defense Ministry Photo
KULA LUMPUR — Search efforts on Thursday have yet to turn up any sign of the missing Indonesian attack submarine KRI Nanggala (402) and 53 personnel. Meanwhile, submarine rescue ships from three different countries are en route to the scene near Bali. Read More
