- Three-day visit hopes to strengthen security ties
- Admiral Samuel Paparo to meet Government officials
- Focus on Indo-Pacific stability and cooperation
Admiral Samuel J Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM), landed in Colombo yesterday (19), for a three-day visit, the US Embassy in Sri Lanka announced.
From 19 to 21 March, he will engage with senior Government officials and military leaders to discuss the US-Sri Lanka security partnership and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
According to the U.S Embassy, the visit emphasises America’s commitment to deepening security collaboration with Sri Lanka, addressing shared challenges in a region vital to global trade and geopolitics.
Paparo, who assumed INDOPACOM command in May 2024, leads 380,000 personnel across 36 nations, overseeing a theatre spanning 14 time zones and 60% of the world’s population.
Seasoned aviator and leader
Hailing from Morton, Pennsylvania, Paparo graduated from Villanova University and was commissioned in 1987. A TOPGUN-trained naval aviator, he boasts over 6,000 flight hours on aircraft like the F-14, F-15, and F/A-18, with 1,100 carrier landings.
His career includes commanding Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 in Japan, Carrier Air Wing 7, and Carrier Strike Group Ten, alongside a stint leading a reconstruction team in Afghanistan’s Nuristan Province.
Before INDOPACOM, Paparo helmed the US Pacific Fleet from May 2021 to April 2024. His visit — his first to Sri Lanka in this role — builds on prior engagements, reinforcing bilateral ties amid rising Indo-Pacific tensions. The embassy highlighted his talks as a step towards sustained cooperation on security matters.
US Ambassador Julie Chung welcomed the visit, stating: “Pleased to welcome Admiral Samuel Paparo to reaffirm our bilateral defence partnership with Sri Lanka and share our vision of stability and security across the Indo-Pacific. The Commander’s visit underscores the United States’ commitment to the diplomatic and defence investments for continued peace and stability in the region.”
