Attributable to Pentagon Spokesman Eric Pahon:
Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks departs on domestic travel to Hawaii today to visit U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Headquarters, U.S. Pacific Fleet Headquarters, Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and U.S. Army Pacific Headquarters.
During her visit, the Deputy Secretary will:
- Discuss U.S. Indo-Pacific Command actions to implement the 2022 U.S. National Defense Strategy;
- observe the second half of Exercise Northern Edge to learn how INDOPACOM is integrating experimentation and capability development to deliver innovative capabilities to the warfighter;
- participate in demonstrations and site visits on priority data- and Artificial Intelligence-related initiatives;
- meet with service members to discuss quality-of-life topics;
- meet with Joint Task Force Red Hill Commander Rear Admiral John Wade to receive updates on Navy defueling and healthcare support;
- tour Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility to observe first-hand the historic investments being made under DoD's Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization plan- to include construction of a new dry dock capable of servicing Virginia-class and future fast-attack submarines;
- and engage with elected Hawaii leaders on innovation, installations, and DoD's relationship with the local community.