Latest news with #Pacific-based
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
Marine unit conducts ‘first of its kind' exercise to sense and target
The Marines' Pacific-based information group conducted a 'first of its kind' training operation to extend communications, reconnaissance and targeting across wide swaths of the region. The III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group recently completed Exercise Kaiju Rain 25 on May 12. The exercise combined joint, interagency and allied partners with a focus on cyber operations, electronic warfare and multi-domain sensing for distributed operations, according to a Marine Corps release. 'Each of the battalions encompasses a warfighting capability within information,' said Col. Joshua Mayoral, commanding officer of III MIG. 'Bringing the capabilities together as a III MIG team, as an information combat element, projects the aggregated and integrated C5ISRT and counter-C5ISRT capability that enables joint and coalition command and control (C2) and kill webs, and long-range precision fires.' Marines used the All Domain Operations Center, which served as III MIG's central hub for analyzing and synthesizing information gathered across their area of operations. Battalions collected data and signals through sensing, surveillance and electronic warfare. Those were then passed to the ADOC, where they were fused into a coherent operational picture, according to the release. This method of centralized processing allowed for faster decision-making and enabled the command elements to coordinate effects across domains in support of distributed operations. 'Kaiju Rain 25 is the first of its kind rehearsal led by III MEF Information Group to test and refine Marine Corps communications, sensing and coordination capabilities across all domains, to include sea, land, air and cyberspace,' said Gunnery Sgt. Andrew Ogletree, the ADOC Cognitive Cell chief. The 3rd Intelligence Battalion handled sensing and conducted sensor fusion to support targeting operations, according to the release. That allowed for the development of the kill web by integrating multi-domain intelligence for timely, precise engagements. 'We are able to operate in any environment — whether it's austere or more developed. With all of our equipment being man-packable, we are able to go to any point on the globe,' said Cpl. Aidan Henson, the Maritime Support Team lead with 3rd Intelligence Battalion. Sending the MEF to war: Why East Coast Marines are focusing on MEF-level warfighting The 3rd Radio Battalion provided signals intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities to send data to the ADOC, which enabled enhanced sensing, targeting and operational decision-making. Marines used the battalion's Automated Parachute System for insert and extract missions, reinforcing their role in enabling rapid, responsive operations. 'On the ground level, we are the ones receiving those signals, doing that collection and analysis, and as intel becomes more and more important, it's passed along to those at III MIG that really need it,' said Cpl. Michael Redding, a signals intelligence and electronic warfare team lead with 3rd Radio Battalion. The 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company enabled cross-domain fires through forward-deployed, sensor-enabled Marines. One such example was their small drone team, which enhanced precision targeting and kill chain integration. The same unit concurrently participated in multiple war-fighting functions through its unit-level exercises, Katana Strike and Ryukyu Hammer. The 7th Communication Battalion 'established expeditionary command and control nodes and delivered resilient mobile communications in support of Kaiju Rain 25,' the Marine Corps release said. That work helped integrate communications, intelligence, command and control and targeting capabilities across the battlespace. The battalion also conducted unit-level training as part of Triad Thunder. 'We are in an information age, and right now with modern technology, information is one of the fastest moving things on Earth,' said Ogletree. 'Whoever controls the flow of information will control the fight.'
Scoop
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 25 April
Article – RNZ A round-up of Pacific news for 25 April, including the process for Local Level Government elections in Papua New Guinea officially starting. Papua New Guinea – election The writs for the Local Level Government elections in Papua New Guinea have been signed by the Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Soroei Eoe, on Thursday, marking the beginning of the election process. Nomination are now open as people prepare to contest for 374 local level government (LLG) spots, and 6,916 wards across PNG. In the seven Highlands provinces, along with Morobe, the LLG presidents will be chosen indirectly by ward councillors. But in the other provinces voters will elect both the ward councillors and LLG presidents. This marks the first time the Electoral Commission will implement both voting methods simultaneously. Samoa – shooting A man has admitted fatally shooting a 12-year-old in his sleeping net, when he appeared in the Supreme Court in Samoa. The Samoa Observer reported the 27-year-old from the Salelavalu in Savai'i could face a minimum of 17 years in jail. The newspaper said the defendant became angry after the boy reported an extramarital affair the man had with the youth's sister. The accused has been remanded in custody for sentencing. Pacific – climate A high-level Pacific Islands Forum delegation has met with US officials. The chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and Prime Minister of Tonga, 'Aisake Eke, and the Forum's Secretary-General, Baron Waqa, are in the US as part of efforts to secure funding for the Pacific Resilience Facility. The facility is a Pacific-based climate fund for community resilience building. A meeting with the US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz focused on strengthening engagement between the PIF and the US. The Forum delegation also met with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau. The United States has been a Forum dialogue partner since 1989. Papua New Guinea – justice Inmates in Papua New Guinea, who are in jail while awaiting court appearances, have appealed to the prime minister to consider releasing them as part of the country's anniversary celebrations. PNG is celebrating 50 years of independence this year. The Post-Courier reported their call was relayed to PM James Marape on Easter Monday by Acting Commissioner of Correctional Services, Bernard Nepo. He said a lot of prisoners have been in the prison system for between 5-10 years 'without having justice served on them'. Nepo said this group of inmates and others who qualify needed to be released on parole during the country's golden jubilee. Marape said he does not have that authority but justice services will look into this process. Fiji – economy The Fiji government has achieved a fiscal surplus for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year, marking the first surplus since late 2019. This is stated by Westpac in its latest quarterly update on the Fijian economy, published on Tuesday. Westpac said that positive outcomes were driven by higher tax collections and effective compliance measures, resulting in government revenue exceeding forecasts, while expenditures lagged behind. However, they also expected Fiji's economy to grow by 2.7 percent in 2025, lower than an earlier projection of 3.4 percent. They noted that tourism arrival numbers are down compared to where they would normally be. Westpac stated the downturn in visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2025 raises concerns about the domestic economic outlook, compounded by global uncertainty. Pacific – police New Zealand's Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is travelling to Fiji and Samoa next week. PMN reported Mr Chambers plans to meet with police leaders and teams in Fiji and Samoa. Chambers said New Zealand Police is dedicated to being easy to work with and offering support, especially during challenging times. He leaves for Fiji on 28 April.
Scoop
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Pacific News In Brief For 25 April
Papua New Guinea - election The writs for the Local Level Government elections in Papua New Guinea have been signed by the Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Soroei Eoe, on Thursday, marking the beginning of the election process. Nomination are now open as people prepare to contest for 374 local level government (LLG) spots, and 6,916 wards across PNG. In the seven Highlands provinces, along with Morobe, the LLG presidents will be chosen indirectly by ward councillors. But in the other provinces voters will elect both the ward councillors and LLG presidents. This marks the first time the Electoral Commission will implement both voting methods simultaneously. Samoa - shooting A man has admitted fatally shooting a 12-year-old in his sleeping net, when he appeared in the Supreme Court in Samoa. The Samoa Observer reported the 27-year-old from the Salelavalu in Savai'i could face a minimum of 17 years in jail. The newspaper said the defendant became angry after the boy reported an extramarital affair the man had with the youth's sister. The accused has been remanded in custody for sentencing. Pacific - climate A high-level Pacific Islands Forum delegation has met with US officials. The chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and Prime Minister of Tonga, 'Aisake Eke, and the Forum's Secretary-General, Baron Waqa, are in the US as part of efforts to secure funding for the Pacific Resilience Facility. The facility is a Pacific-based climate fund for community resilience building. A meeting with the US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz focused on strengthening engagement between the PIF and the US. The Forum delegation also met with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau. The United States has been a Forum dialogue partner since 1989. Papua New Guinea - justice Inmates in Papua New Guinea, who are in jail while awaiting court appearances, have appealed to the prime minister to consider releasing them as part of the country's anniversary celebrations. PNG is celebrating 50 years of independence this year. The Post-Courier reported their call was relayed to PM James Marape on Easter Monday by Acting Commissioner of Correctional Services, Bernard Nepo. He said a lot of prisoners have been in the prison system for between 5-10 years "without having justice served on them". Nepo said this group of inmates and others who qualify needed to be released on parole during the country's golden jubilee. Marape said he does not have that authority but justice services will look into this process. Fiji - economy The Fiji government has achieved a fiscal surplus for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year, marking the first surplus since late 2019. This is stated by Westpac in its latest quarterly update on the Fijian economy, published on Tuesday. Westpac said that positive outcomes were driven by higher tax collections and effective compliance measures, resulting in government revenue exceeding forecasts, while expenditures lagged behind. However, they also expected Fiji's economy to grow by 2.7 percent in 2025, lower than an earlier projection of 3.4 percent. They noted that tourism arrival numbers are down compared to where they would normally be. Westpac stated the downturn in visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2025 raises concerns about the domestic economic outlook, compounded by global uncertainty. Pacific - police New Zealand's Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is travelling to Fiji and Samoa next week. PMN reported Mr Chambers plans to meet with police leaders and teams in Fiji and Samoa. Chambers said New Zealand Police is dedicated to being easy to work with and offering support, especially during challenging times. He leaves for Fiji on 28 April.
RNZ News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 25 April
Electoral Commission headquarters. Photo: RNZI/ Johnny Blades The writs for the Local Level Government elections in Papua New Guinea have been signed by the Minister for Provincial and Local Level Government Affairs, Soroei Eoe, on Thursday, marking the beginning of the election process. Nomination are now open as people prepare to contest for 374 local level government (LLG) spots, and 6,916 wards across PNG. In the seven Highlands provinces, along with Morobe, the LLG presidents will be chosen indirectly by ward councillors. But in the other provinces voters will elect both the ward councillors and LLG presidents. This marks the first time the Electoral Commission will implement both voting methods simultaneously. A man has admitted fatally shooting a 12-year-old in his sleeping net, when he appeared in the Supreme Court in Samoa. The Samoa Observer reported the 27-year-old from the Salelavalu in Savai'i could face a minimum of 17 years in jail. The newspaper said the defendant became angry after the boy reported an extramarital affair the man had with the youth's sister. The accused has been remanded in custody for sentencing. A high-level Pacific Islands Forum delegation has met with US officials. The chair of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and Prime Minister of Tonga, 'Aisake Eke, and the Forum's Secretary-General, Baron Waqa, are in the US as part of efforts to secure funding for the Pacific Resilience Facility. The facility is a Pacific-based climate fund for community resilience building. A meeting with the US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz focused on strengthening engagement between the PIF and the US. The Forum delegation also met with the US Deputy Secretary of State, Christopher Landau. The United States has been a Forum dialogue partner since 1989. Inmates in Papua New Guinea, who are in jail while awaiting court appearances, have appealed to the prime minister to consider releasing them as part of the country's anniversary celebrations. PNG is celebrating 50 years of independence this year. The Post-Courier reported their call was relayed to PM James Marape on Easter Monday by Acting Commissioner of Correctional Services, Bernard Nepo. He said a lot of prisoners have been in the prison system for between 5-10 years "without having justice served on them". Nepo said this group of inmates and others who qualify needed to be released on parole during the country's golden jubilee. Marape said he does not have that authority but justice services will look into this process. The Fiji government has achieved a fiscal surplus for the first quarter of the 2024-25 financial year, marking the first surplus since late 2019. This is stated by Westpac in its latest quarterly update on the Fijian economy, published on Tuesday. Westpac said that positive outcomes were driven by higher tax collections and effective compliance measures, resulting in government revenue exceeding forecasts, while expenditures lagged behind. However, they also expected Fiji's economy to grow by 2.7 percent in 2025, lower than an earlier projection of 3.4 percent. They noted that tourism arrival numbers are down compared to where they would normally be. Westpac stated the downturn in visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2025 raises concerns about the domestic economic outlook, compounded by global uncertainty. New Zealand's Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is travelling to Fiji and Samoa next week. PMN reported Mr Chambers plans to meet with police leaders and teams in Fiji and Samoa. Chambers said New Zealand Police is dedicated to being easy to work with and offering support, especially during challenging times. He leaves for Fiji on 28 April.
