WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (MO-02), Chairman of the Open-Source Intelligence Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly led a series of Intelligence meetings in Japan last week. The purpose of the meetings was to assess national security and intelligence-related matters with U.S. Military Commands and our counterparts in the Japanese Self Defense Force, as well as to strengthen the relationship between key strategic partners in Tokyo.
Congresswoman Wagner met with various officials, including U.S. Ambassador Deputy Chief of Mission Aaron Snipe, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Intelligence Analysis Service Mr. Yuki Tatsumi, and with leadership at the Cabinet Research and Intelligence Office (CIRO). As Chairman of the Open-Source Intelligence Subcommittee, Congresswoman Wagner conducts oversight of intelligence programs and partnerships that exist to protect U.S. national security. She also had the opportunity to visit the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion and Asian Studies Detachment at Camp Zama and Deputy Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet on the USS Blue Ridge in Yokosuka. She traveled to Okinawa to meet with the Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force, the Consulate General, and 1st Special Forces Group. These meetings provided crucial insight into how the United States Intelligence Community (USIC) works with regional allies to better enhance our security efforts on a global scale, as well as strengthen our INDOPACOM partnerships. These meetings provided critical input for efforts to enhance the security landscape at home and abroad, and Congresswoman Wagner looks forward to continuing these efforts through her various national security roles in Congress.
Wagner boarded USS Blue Ridge and met with Deputy Commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet Rear Admiral Kyle Gantt. The fleet is a forward-deployed, combat-ready force designed to deter aggression and ensure the security of the Indo-Pacific region.
Wagner meets with LTC Joshua Limberg, Commander of the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion, and his soldiers. Their mission spans the full spectrum of intelligence operations—including counterintelligence, human intelligence, signals intelligence, and open-source intelligence—across the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility.
Wagner meets with Chargé d'affaires, Aaron Snipe, at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.
Wagner met with Deputy Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force; and Commanding General, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade – Brigadier General Robert Brodie. As a forward-deployed force, III MEF's posture is intended to deter aggression and prevent a Chinese fait accompli.
Wagner met with the U.S. Army's 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), which plays a key role in training, assisting, and cooperating with partner forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
