Admiral Harry Harris, Commander, United States Pacific Command (CDRUSPACOM), is urging his men in the U.S. Navy to be "ready to fight (North Korea) tonight."

CDRUSPACOM is enjoining his troops to be on the alert for possible North Korea provocations during North Korea's Party Foundation Day on Oct. 10 that marks the 71st founding anniversary of the Central Organizing Committee of the Communist Party of North Korea.

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Adm. Harris spoke to U.S. military personnel at Yokota Air Base in Japan welcoming Lt. Gen. Jerry P. Martinez, Commander, U.S. Forces Japan, and Commander, 5th Air Force, Pacific Air Forces, Yokota Air Base.

Adm. Harris, who is half Japanese, recently met with Japanese Defense Minister Tomomi Inada regarding enhanced cooperation. He described North Korea's provocative actions, including missile and nuclear tests, as the most urgent threat facing Japan.

"(We) must consider every possible step to defend the U.S. homeland and defend our allies," said Adm. Harris.

"That's why I continue to emphasize trilateral cooperation between Japan, South Korea and the United States. And that's why all nations must continue to rally the international community to loudly condemn North Korea's aberrational behavior and be prepared to counter this challenge."

In Seoul, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces told local media they're on emergency standby in preparation for more provocations from North Korea. These provocations could include ballistic missile tests, both land and submarine launched.

Last August, Adm. Harris reassured the United States' treaty allies -- Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan -- it will defend them from any external aggressor.

He said across Asia, "including in the East and South China Seas, the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows and support the right of all nations to do the same."

"From my perspective, we will continue to cooperate where we can and will be ready to confront where we must."

Adm. Harris said his job is to confront all challenges from a position of strength with credible combat power. He noted that due to America's strategic rebalance to Asia, "everything that's new and cool in the U.S. military arsenal is coming first to the Pacific.

"Advanced aircraft like the Joint Strike Fighter, P-8 Poseidon and the E-2D Hawkeye. More UAVs like the Triton and Stingray; more advanced aerial platforms like the V-22 Ospreys and more new ships like the Gerald Ford class aircraft carriers and littoral combat ships.

There's also the DDG-1000 program, whose lead ship, USS Zumwalt, is scheduled to be commissioned this October and then home-ported in San Diego, he said.

Adm. Harris believes the recent decision on the South China Sea by the Permanent court of Arbitration validates the strategic importance of UNCLOS and argues for U.S. ratification of the convention.

He said United States policy is to fully adhere to the provisions in UNCLOS and its military forces around the world reinforce its standards by operating consistent with the rules in UNCLOS.

TagsAdmiral Harry Harris, United States Pacific Command, U.S. Navy, North Korea, Yokota Air Base, Lt. Gen. Jerry P. Martinez, Republic of Korea Armed Forces