READOUT: Pacific Fleet commander’s travel to Australia, November 1-6, 2025
Adm. Steve Koehler, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, traveled to Australia alongside Fleet Master Chief Don Davis, Nov. 1-6, 2025 to reaffirm and advance the strong alliance between Australia and the United States.
Koehler began the trip in Canberra to meet with senior Australian and U.S. officials to discuss shared security concerns. He also visited the Australian National War Museum and laid a wreath at the Australian War Memorial.
The meetings in Canberra included:
Ms. Abigail Bradshaw, director-general, Australian Signals Directorate
Ms. Erika Olson, charge d’affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Canberra
Koehler then traveled to Sydney to participate in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Indo-Pacific Sea Power Conference. He joined senior leaders from Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia in a panel discussion on ‘Maritime Security Challenges – Indo-Pacific Perspectives,’ in which they emphasized the need for innovation and interoperability in developing future naval capabilities, the importance of freedom of and access to the seas, and the value of collective, credible deterrence and partnerships between navies.
Koehler also gave remarks at the USA Partnership Pavilion Opening Ceremony with Royal Australian Navy Rear Adm. Stephen Hughes, head of Navy capability, and Ms. Erika Olson, charge d’affaires for the U.S. Embassy in Canberra, highlighting how both navies, alongside allies and partners are entering a new phase of technological cooperation and industrial integration to address shared maritime challenges.
During the conference, Koehler met with senior RAN and ally and partner military officials to discuss the importance of maritime security and interoperability between naval forces in the Indo-Pacific.
Bilateral engagements included:
First Adm. Sahibul Bahari bin Haji Zainal Abidin, commander of Royal Brunei Navy
Vice Adm. Angus Topshee, commander of Royal Canadian Navy
Adm. Fernando Cabrera, chief of Chilean Navy
Adm. Juan Ricardo Rozo, commander of Colombian Navy
Vice Adm. Jan Christian Kaak, chief of German Navy
Adm. Tan Zulhelmy bin Ithnain, chief of Royal Malaysian Navy
Vice Adm. Harold Liebregs, commander of Royal Netherlands Navy
Rear Adm. Garin Golding – chief of Royal New Zealand Navy
Brig. Gen. Opa Lari, deputy chief of Papua New Guinea Defence Force
Adm. Javier Bravo de Rueda, chief of Peru Navy
Vice Adm. Jose Ezpeleta, flag officer-in-command of the Philippine Navy
Rear Adm. Sean Wat - chief of Republic of Singapore Navy
Adm. Antonio Piñeiro Sánchez, chief of staff Spanish Navy
The U.S.- Australia alliance remains a cornerstone for peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific. The visit to Australia further deepened the strong relationship and advanced both countries’ shared interest in maintaining freedom of navigation, overflight, and other lawful uses of the sea.
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