U.S. Pacific Command Happenings

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

1. U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen and Singapore Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Tony Tan after signing an agreement in November 1998 authorizing U.S. military forces to use facilities in Singapore, including access for a U.S. aircraft carrier at a new Singapore naval base being built.

2. Four U.S. Air Force long-range B-1 Lancer bombers deployed to the Asia-Pacific in October 1998 on a training mission demonstrating global reach. They also participated in an air show and exercise in the Republic of Korea. The bombers operated from Andersen Air Force Base in the U.S. Territory of Guam. Three B-2 Stealth bombers and three B-52 bombers had previously deployed to Guam in September 1998 on a short-notice, air power exercise.

3. U.S. Pacific Command's cold-weather soldiers of the Alaskan Command conduct exercise NORTHERN EDGE in Alaska. Two CH-47 helicopters move U.S. Army HUMMV vehicles in slings at Fort Greely, Alaska.

4. SMSgt. Hiroshi Nishihama and SSgt. Kenzo Koyama of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force join U.S. Air Force SSgt. Miguel Perez in receiving the U.S. Air Force's highest peacetime medal for heroism - the Airman's Medal. The Japanese and U.S. airmen received the decoration for bravely rescuing a U.S. pilot trapped in a burning F-16 at Misawa Air Base, Japan. The Commander of U.S. Forces Japan, Lt. Gen. John Hall, Jr., USAF, lauded the Japanese-American spirit of cooperation which characterized the rescuers. He said, "You have created a culture and attitude that encourage trust, respect and teamwork . . . magnificently displayed in this rescue effort to save a fellow warrior."

5. The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) arrives at Pusan, Republic of Korea to participate in the International Fleet Review 98 of naval warships in October 1998 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of Korea government and Armed Forces.

6. U.S. Rear Adm. Joseph J. Krol, Jr., Commander of Submarine Group Seven, and Republic of Korea Rear Adm. Jong Min Kim, Commander of Submarine Flotilla Nine, prepare to sign a "brotherhood agreement" 17 November 1998. The agreement recognizes the growing professional and personal relationships between the Korean and U.S. submarine forces. The two submarine forces exercise together about six times a year and hold biennial meetings to improve interoperability.

7. Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan, followed by Ambassador Chan Heng Chee, Singapore's ambassador to the U.S., and two officials, visits the U.S. Navy submarine USS Cheyenne (SSN 773) at Pearl Harbor Hawaii.

8. Members of Class 98-3 of U.S. Pacific Command's Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, College of Security Studies, graduate on 3 December 1998. Senior military and government civilians from 24 countries completed the 12-week long Executive Course held in Honolulu, Hawaii.