OKINAWA, Japan – Capt. John P. Baggett was relieved by Timothy R. Carter as commodore of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 11 during a change of command ceremony held on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7), while in port in White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 23.
U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) arrived in Manila, Philippines for a scheduled port visit, March 16, 2026. Blue Ridge's last visit to Manila was in 2024.
Two U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon aircraft, one each from Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 and VP-45, were joined by one P-8I from the Indian Navy (IN), one P-1 from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), two P-8A from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and one P-8A from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) for the start of multinational exercise Sea Dragon 2026 at Andersen Air Force Base, March 9.
YOKOSUKA, Japan (Feb. 28, 2026) — The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) held a change of command ceremony aboard the ship in Yokosuka, Japan, Feb. 28, marking the transition of leadership from Capt. Holman R. Agard to Capt. William S. Buford.
Japan Self-Defense Forces and U.S. forces conducted Fleet Synthetic Training Joint (FST-J) 26-71 at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka and command centers across the region Feb. 23-27, 2026.
