U.S.Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) Mission Briefing

On May 23, 2024, the Japan-America Society of Hawaii (JASH) members attended the U.S.Pacific Fleet (PACFLT) Mission Briefing at the PACFLT Headquarter Briefing Room at Pearl Harbor. About 20 members and JASH Board Directors gathered at the Pan Am building parking structure and enjoyed the bus ride to Pearl Harbor and each other’s company on the way. Consul General Yoshinori Kodama and Consul Kosuke Idenoue also joined us at Pearl Harbor.

Upon arrival, we were welcomed at the gate by a military official who escorted our group to the PACFLT briefing room.

PACFLT Headquarters

Mr. Dean K. Vaughn, Japan Affairs, BMD Policy & Multilateral Initiatives, gave an extensive overview of unclassified information that highlights a number of crucial missions that the PACFLT pursues. Topics include “Complex Security Environment”, “CCP Comprehensive Coercion”, “Competition & Deterrence”, “Roles and Responsibilities”, “Supporting Commanders”, “U.S. Pacific Fleet Laydown”, “Navy’s Most Advanced Ships and Aircrafts”, “Hawaii’s Importance in Integrated Deterrence”, and ended with “Final Thoughts on PRC”.  The speaker also announced the 29th biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercises that Hawaii will host over 29 nations including Japan and China from June 29 to August 2.  

The briefing actively engaged JASH participants throughout Mr. Vaughn’s talk.  The group had many questions and gained insight into the importance of PACFLT.

Attendees on the bus ride back to the JASH Office

Mahalo to Mr. Vaughn of PACFLT and JASH Board Directors Sal Miwa and Steve Dyer for planning and coordinating this special event!