In the 24 May 2024 RED FRIDAY publication, as Memorial Day approaches, we reflect on the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and support our deployed troops, emphasizing the deep significance of this national day of remembrance. In military news, the U.S. Army has deployed its Joint Pacific Multinational Combat Training Center to the Philippines, enhancing defense capabilities through extensive training at Fort Magsaysay. The upcoming Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, featuring 29 nations and over 25,000 personnel, aims to strengthen global maritime partnerships in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, a U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress has arrived in the UK for Bomber Task Force Europe 24-3, reinforcing NATO security commitments. Additionally, the navies of the Netherlands and the United States conducted bilateral operations in the South China Sea, improving allied interoperability and readiness in a region crucial for maintaining stability and free sea lanes.

Honoring Our Heroes: Reflecting on Memorial Day This Red Friday

**May 24, 2024**

As we approach Memorial Day on Monday, May 27, this Red Friday serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform. Red Friday, a day dedicated to “Remember Everyone Deployed,” holds special significance as it leads into a weekend of national remembrance and reflection.

Memorial Day is a time to honor the fallen heroes who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. It is a day of solemn reflection, gratitude, and unity. For the families who have lost loved ones, Memorial Day is a day of deep personal meaning, a day when the nation collectively pauses to acknowledge their sacrifice.

For our troops currently deployed, Memorial Day is a bittersweet reminder of the camaraderie and the high stakes of their mission. These service members are acutely aware of the sacrifices made by those who came before them. They stand on the shoulders of giants, carrying forward the legacy of bravery and commitment.

On this Red Friday, we wear red to show our support for those still in harm’s way. It’s a simple yet powerful gesture that signifies our solidarity with deployed troops and their families. It lets them know that they are not forgotten, that their service is appreciated, and that their sacrifices are honored.

As we enjoy the long weekend, it’s essential to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day. It’s not just about barbecues and parades; it’s about the men and women who laid down their lives for our country. Taking a moment to reflect on their bravery and to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy because of their sacrifice is the least we can do.

For those looking to honor our fallen heroes and support our troops, consider participating in local Memorial Day events, visiting memorials, or simply taking a moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time, the National Moment of Remembrance. Supporting organizations that aid veterans and their families is another meaningful way to contribute.

In the words of President John F. Kennedy, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” Let us embody this spirit by supporting our troops, honoring our fallen, and cherishing the freedoms they have secured for us.

This Red Friday, and every day, we remember everyone deployed and honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice. As Memorial Day approaches, let their memory inspire us to live with purpose, gratitude, and a deep appreciation for the liberty they fought to protect.

U.S. Army Exports Advanced Combat Training to the Philippines

**May 20, 2024**

**MANILA and HONOLULU** – The U.S. Army is deploying its Joint Pacific Multinational Combat Training Center (JPMRC) to the Philippines to enhance the country’s defense capabilities.

“The Philippines’ concept of operations is shifting to more territorial defense, and they’re beginning to train with that,” said Gen. Charles Flynn, U.S. Army Pacific commander. The JPMRC will be stationed at Fort Magsaysay in central Luzon, which can support large-scale training events, though it lacks a training center of JPMRC’s scale.

U.S. and Philippine forces have recently completed major exercises, including Salaknib and Balikatan. “We executed long-range air assaults off northern Luzon with our 3rd Brigade Combat Team,” said Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, commander of the 25th Infantry Division.

The full JPMRC setup will include extensive instrumentation to monitor and evaluate training operations. “We will be able to assess indirect fires employment, casualty treatment, force movement, and more,” Evans noted.

The setup at Fort Magsaysay has taken 45 days, involving technology and infrastructure flown in from Hawaii. “It’s a Herculean effort,” Evans stated, describing the complex logistics.

The training will provide real-time data for after-action reviews, helping both U.S. and Philippine forces to learn and adapt. “There is a variety of expertise that we learned from our Filipino partners,” added Brig. Gen. David Zinn.

The JPMRC will continue to participate in exercises across the Pacific, including Operation Pathways. Future plans include rotations in Thailand for Cobra Gold and returning to the Philippines for Balikatan and Salaknib.

“We’re getting to the point where it’s being asked for so much that we have to moderate and do proper scheduling,” Flynn said.

RIMPAC 2024: Strengthening Global Maritime Partnerships

**SAN DIEGO** – Approximately 29 nations, 40 surface ships, 3 submarines, 14 national land forces, over 150 aircraft, and more than 25,000 personnel will participate in the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise from June 26 to August 2, in and around the Hawaiian Islands.

RIMPAC is designed to foster and sustain cooperative relationships critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. This exercise, which takes place in the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, serves as a unique training platform to enhance interoperability and strategic maritime partnerships.

“RIMPAC is the premier joint and combined maritime exercise that utilizes and preserves a world-class maritime training environment,” said Rear Adm. Kazushi Yokota of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, who will serve as vice commander of the Combined Task Force (CTF). “With inclusivity at its core, RIMPAC fosters multinational cooperation and trust, leverages interoperability, and achieves respective national objectives to strengthen integrated, prepared coalition partners.”

RIMPAC 2024 marks the 29th exercise in a series that began in 1971. As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC combines force capabilities in a dynamic maritime environment to demonstrate enduring interoperability across the full spectrum of military operations.

The theme of RIMPAC 2024 is “Partners: Integrated and Prepared.” This year’s exercise includes forces from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Hosted by Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, RIMPAC 2024 will be led by Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, who will serve as the CTF commander. For the first time in RIMPAC history, a member of the Chilean Navy, Commodore Alberto Guerrero, will serve as deputy commander of the CTF. Other key leaders of the multinational force include Commodore Kristjan Monaghan of Canada, who will command the maritime component, and Air Commodore Louise Desjardins of Australia, who will command the air component.

“RIMPAC 2024 contributes to the increased interoperability, resiliency, and agility needed by the Joint and Combined Force to deter and defeat aggression by major powers across all domains and levels of conflict,” emphasized Commodore Alberto Guerrero.

During RIMPAC, integrated and prepared partners will train and operate together to strengthen collective forces and promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. 

For detailed information and imagery of RIMPAC activities, visit [www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac](http://www.cpf.navy.mil/rimpac) and [DVIDS RIMPAC 2024](https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/RIMPAC2024).

U.S. B-52 Stratofortress Arrives in the UK for Bomber Task Force Deployment

**May 22, 2024**

**RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany** – A U.S. Air Force B-52 Stratofortress from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, N.D., arrived at Royal Air Force Fairford, U.K., on Wednesday, May 22, for a routine bomber task force deployment. This addition brings the total number of B-52 aircraft deployed for the latest bomber task force mission to three.

While deployed, the unit will operate as the 69th Expeditionary Bomb Squadron under Bomber Task Force Europe 24-3. During this deployment, U.S. Air Force Airmen and aircraft will integrate with NATO Allies and other international partners to synchronize capabilities and reinforce security commitments across the U.S. European Command area of responsibility.

“The U.S. routinely demonstrates its commitment to NATO Allies and partners through BTF missions,” stated a spokesperson for U.S. Air Forces Europe – Air Forces Africa. “These missions enable dynamic force employment in the European and African theaters, providing strategic predictability and assurance for Allies and partners while contributing to deterrence by introducing greater operational unpredictability for potential adversaries.”

Bomber Task Force 24-3 is also part of Large Scale Global Exercise 2024 (LSGE24), a series of connected military operations across multiple combatant commands. LSGE24 allows U.S. Joint Forces to train with Allies and partners, enhancing shared understanding, trust, and interoperability in addressing global security challenges.

“Regular and routine deployments of U.S. strategic bombers are crucial for training and operating alongside our Allies and partners,” added the spokesperson. “These deployments bolster our collective response to any global conflict.”

For more information, please contact the U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Public Affairs office at usafepao.pao@us.af.mil or, after hours, at usafepa.pastaffdutyofficer@us.af.mil.

Netherlands and U.S. Navies Conduct Bilateral Operations in South China Sea

**22 May 2024**

**SOUTH CHINA SEA** — The navies of the Netherlands and the United States conducted bilateral operations in the South China Sea, featuring the U.S. Navy’s Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26), the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE 8), and the Royal Netherlands Navy’s De Zeven Provinciën-class frigate HNLMS Tromp (F803).

“The Netherlands is one of our oldest, continuous bilateral relationships, stemming from the 18th century. I look forward to any opportunity to work together with partners and allies, especially at sea,” said Capt. Sean Lewis, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7. “We share a deep commitment to maintaining stability and free use of vital sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific.”

The bilateral operation aimed to enhance allied interoperability and readiness through complex scenarios.

“We’re fortunate to work together with allies and to have them provide replenishment to us. Operating together fortifies our existing relationship with our partners from the U.S.,” said Cmdr. Yvonne van Beusekom, Commanding Officer of HNLMS Tromp. “We look to continue coordination between our nations to promote regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

The U.S. Navy frequently engages with allies and partners in high-end maritime exercises and operations, which continue to expand in scale and complexity. These combined operations enhance interoperability, boost deterrence, and demonstrate shared resolve.

“We are fortunate to work with friends at sea in the region. Consistent collaboration makes us better as a crew and more capable as a joint force,” said Cmdr. David Gardner, commanding officer of the USS Mobile. “Bilateral operations like these strengthen bonds with our Royal Netherlands Navy partners and deepen our understanding of how to operate together.”

During the operation, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 15 facilitated coordination between DESRON 7 and the Netherlands. Such multilateral operations improve interoperability between allied navies and support a free and open Indo-Pacific, showcasing the strength of regional partnerships and cooperation.

As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed DESRON in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander of littoral combat ships rotationally deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. It functions as Expeditionary Strike Group 7’s Sea Combat Commander and builds partnerships through training, exercises, and military-to-military engagements.

The U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific region.