Readout: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Australia, May 8–12

12 May 2022

From U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR - U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Adm. Samuel Paparo visited Australia from May 8–12, 2022 to reaffirm the strong and enduring friendship and alliance between Australia and the United States.

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Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, poses for a photo with Royal Australian Navy Commodore Jonathan Earley and staff.

Adm. Samuel Paparo (center) poses for a photo with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Commodore Jonathan Earley and staff during a visit to Fleet Base East. (U.S. Navy/MCC Sarah Villegas)

Paparo met with a number of senior Australian officials to discuss the importance of maritime security and interoperability between naval forces especially in the critical Southwest Pacific Ocean, including:

Minister of Defence Peter Dutton
Chief of Navy Vice Adm. Michael Noonan
Australian Defense Force Chief of Joint Operations Lt. Gen. Greg Bilton
Air Commander Australia Air Vice-Marshal Darren Goldie
Fleet Base East Deputy Commander Commodore Jonathan Earley

Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, poses for a photo with Indian Navy Vice Adm. Biswajit Dasgupta, Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Michael Noonan, and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Adm. Ryo Sakai.

Adm. Samuel Paparo (right) poses for a photo with Indian Navy Vice Adm. Biswajit Dasgupta, Royal Australian Navy Vice Adm. Michael Noonan, and Japan Maritime Self Defense Force Adm. Ryo Sakai. U.S. Pacific Fleet is conducting bilateral engagements with counterparts during the Indo Pacific Sea Power Conference 2022 (IP22) in Sydney. IP22 emphasizes the commitment of the United States, Australia, and partner nations to a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy/MCC Sarah Villegas)

Paparo participated in the Royal Australian Navy’s Sea Power Conference 2022 held at the Indo-Pacific Maritime Exposition in Sydney, where he spoke on the “Seapower in the 21st Century” panel led by Noonan and with fellow panelist:

Royal Canadian Navy Chief of Navy Staff Vice Adm. Craig Baines
Indian Navy Eastern Naval Command Commander-in-Chief Vice. Adm. Biswajit Dasgupta
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Chief of Maritime Staff Adm. Ryo Sakai
Royal New Zealand Navy Chief of Navy Rear Adm. David Proctor
Papua New Guinea Defense Force Deputy Chief Commodore Philip Polewara
Republic of Singapore Navy Chief of Navy Rear Adm. Aaron Beng
Royal Navy First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Sir Adm. Ben Key

The panel focused on the state of navies and cooperation between allies and like-minded partners operating across the region to ensure maritime security and a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Adm. Samuel Paparo, Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, conducts a bilateral engagement with Chilean Navy Adm. Juan Andrés de la Maza Larrain.

Paparo (right) conducts a bilateral engagement with Chilean Navy Adm. Juan Andrés de la Maza Larrain during the Indo Pacific Sea Power Conference 2022 (IP22). (U.S. Navy/MCC Sarah Villegas)

In addition to underscoring the importance of the Quad and AUKUS, Paparo participated in bilateral discussions with Sakai, Proctor, Beng, Key, and:

Chilean Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm. Andres de la Maza
French Armed Forces in French Polynesia Commander Rear Adm. Jean-Mathieu Rey
Republic of Korea Navy Vice Chief of the Naval Operations Vice Adm. Hyunil Kim
Royal Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Adm. Somprasong Nilsamai
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Adm. Samuel Paparo (left) conducts a bilateral engagement with Royal Thai Navy Adm. Somprasong Nilsamai (right) during the Indo Pacific Sea Power Conference 2022 (IP22). (U.S. Navy/MCC Sarah Villegas)

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Adm. Samuel Paparo (left) conducts a bilateral engagement with Royal Thai Navy Adm. Somprasong Nilsamai (right) during the Indo Pacific Sea Power Conference 2022 (IP22). (U.S. Navy/MCC Sarah Villegas)

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Photo By: Chief Mass Communication Specialist Sarah Villegas

VIRIN: 220511-N-YG104-0052

During the visit, Paparo participated in the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea remembrance aboard HMAS Sydney. Dutton, Noonan, Sakai, Paparo, Earley and ship leadership reflected on the historic battle, lessons learned, and the solidarity of the alliances and friendships between Australia, Japan, and the United States.

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