READOUT: Pacific Fleet Commander’s travel to Japan, April 13-15 > U.S. Pacific Fleet > News
In Yokota and Tokyo, Koehler met with senior Japanese and U.S. officials to discuss security challenges and ways to increase readiness and interoperability while strengthening credible deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.
The meetings included:
- Adm. Akira Saito, chief of staff, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
- Adm. Tateki Tawara, commander, Japan Self-Defense Forces Joint Operations Command (JJOC)
- Lt. Gen. Hidetada Inatsuki, commander, Air Defence Command (ADC), Japan Air Self-Defence Force
- U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass
- Lt. Gen. Stephen Jost, commander, U.S. Forces Japan
Koehler and Davis also visited Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka. They discussed quality of service issues with Sailors over lunch at the base galley, met with U.S. Naval Forces Japan and installation leadership, and conducted an all hands call on the flight deck aboard the forward-deployed Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73).
During the all-hands call, Koehler and Davis thanked Sailors, Civilians, and their families for their service and support. They also discussed Koehler’s Fleet Orders and how the crew’s professionalism, teamwork, safety, and resiliency ensure our Navy is ready to respond to any contingency across the globe at any time.
Koehler met with City of Yokosuka Mayor Katsuaki Kamiji and thanked him for his support to the forward-deployed naval forces (FDNF) assigned there.
Koehler and Davis then visited with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 and toured their training facilities at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni. They recognized the outstanding job of several Sailors and expressed their gratitude for their unwavering commitment to the mission.
The visit to Japan underscored the United States’ commitment to peace and stability in the region, committed to enhancing resiliency and interoperability between U.S. and Japanese forces, and other regional allies and partners.