1 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific–Homeland Affairs, presents a traditional Hawaiian voyaging canoe to Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, commander of the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia, during a gift exchange following a distinguished visitor day for Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, French Polynesia, June 16, 2026. The exchange highlighted the enduring partnership between the United States and France and their shared commitment to security and disaster response cooperation throughout the Pacific region. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Avery Smith)
(Photo Credit: Capt. Avery Smith)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific–Homeland Affairs, and Rear Adm. Suzanne Bailey, deputy commander of U.S. Third Fleet, receive an operational briefing from Lt. Col. Matt Sawdy, operations officer assigned to 322 Civil Affairs Brigade, inside the Joint Force Headquarters during a distinguished visitor day for Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, French Polynesia, June 16, 2026. The briefing highlighted the command and control processes used to coordinate multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations throughout the exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Avery Smith)
(Photo Credit: Capt. Avery Smith)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific–Homeland Affairs, and Rear Adm. Suzanne Bailey, deputy commander of U.S. Third Fleet, observe a medical treatment demonstration during a distinguished visitor day for Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, French Polynesia, June 16, 2026. The demonstration showcased medical response capabilities used during humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Avery Smith)
(Photo Credit: Capt. Avery Smith)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific–Homeland Affairs, and Rear Adm. Suzanne Bailey, deputy commander of U.S. Third Fleet, receive a capability brief from a French Armed Forces in French Polynesia service member during a distinguished visitor day for Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, French Polynesia, June 16, 2026. The static display showcased equipment and capabilities employed throughout the multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response exercise. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Avery Smith)
(Photo Credit: Capt. Avery Smith)VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, commander of the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia, speaks with Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific–Homeland Affairs, during an office call following a distinguished visitor day for Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, French Polynesia, June 16, 2026. The leaders discussed regional security cooperation and multinational disaster response readiness throughout the Pacific. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Avery Smith)
(Photo Credit: Capt. Avery Smith)VIEW ORIGINAL6 / 6Show Caption +Hide Caption –
Rear Adm. Suzanne Bailey, deputy commander of U.S. Third Fleet, and Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific–Homeland Affairs, observe equipment and technology displayed by the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia during Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, French Polynesia, June 16, 2026. The display highlighted capabilities supporting regional disaster response and multinational interoperability. (U.S. Army photo by Capt. Avery Smith)
(Photo Credit: Capt. Avery Smith)VIEW ORIGINAL
TAHITI, French Polynesia — Rear Adm. Guillaume Pinget, commander of the French Armed Forces in French Polynesia (FAPF), Rear Adm. Suzanne Bailey, deputy commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet, and Maj. Gen. Lance Okamura, deputy commanding general of U.S. Army Pacific–Homeland Affairs, and other flag officers across the Pacific, including U.S. Coast Guard and Japanese Defense Force attended a distinguished visitor day during Exercise MARARA 26 in Tahiti, French Polynesia, June 16, 2026.
The visit provided senior military leaders an opportunity to observe the multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response exercise and engage with participating forces and partner nations.
The day began with a tour of the Joint Force Headquarters, where exercise planners and leaders coordinated multinational response efforts throughout MARARA 26. The distinguished visitors received briefings on the exercise scenario, command and control structure, and the collaborative processes used to synchronize operations among participating nations.
Following the headquarters tour, FAPF hosted a static display showcasing equipment, technology, medical capabilities, and operational systems employed during the exercise. The display highlighted the collective readiness and interoperability of partner forces working together to strengthen regional disaster response capabilities across the Pacific.
During the event, Okamura recognized outstanding Soldiers from the 322nd Civil Affairs Brigade by presenting U.S. Army Pacific commander’s coins in recognition of their contributions to the exercise and commitment to strengthening multinational partnerships.
The distinguished visitor day concluded with an office call and gift exchange between Pinget and Okamura, reinforcing the longstanding partnership between the United States and France and their shared commitment to security, stability, and disaster response readiness throughout the Pacific region.
Exercise MARARA 26 is a French-led multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster response exercise designed to improve interoperability, strengthen partnerships, and enhance regional readiness among participating nations.
Social Sharing