U.S. Consulate Perth

AUKUS MINISTERS 🇺🇸🇦🇺🇬🇧
“We're going to stay on track to stand up Submarine Rotational Force‑West (SRF‑West) in 2027. This month I authorized the establishment of Naval Support Activity Stirling, Submarine Squadron Three, and the lead maintenance activity to support SRF‑West. This means the first U.S. Navy sailors will begin arriving in Western Australia later this year.” - U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth

Secretary Hegseth, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles and UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey met in Singapore yesterday and re-affirmed their commitment to delivering the AUKUS partnership.

They announced the first AUKUS Pillar II Signature Project: developing cutting-edge payloads and enabling systems for AUKUS partners' Uncrewed Undersea Vehicles (UUVs), with delivery starting in 2027.

🗞 Read more: www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4504769/joint-statement-aukus-defense-ministers-meeting

Aloha to Australia’s Consul General in Hawaii, Greg Wilcock! Perth and Honolulu share a love of beautiful beaches and we’re also connected through AUKUS, with regular visits from U.S. submarines, ASC workers from WA training in Hawaii, and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard teams supporting maintenance at HMAS Stirling naval base.

DEFENSE SECTOR 🌎
Perth is hosting the Indian Ocean Defence & Security Conference this week, bringing together senior military and industry leaders from around the world to focus on shared regional challenges and growing capabilities.

Travelling from Hawaii, U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Steve Koehler joined Australian Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Vice Chief of Staff Vice Admiral Yasuhiro Kunimi for a panel discussion on naval leadership.

U.S. Naval Nuclear Propulsion Deputy Director Chuck Taylor, Australian Submarine Agency Director General Vice Admiral Jonathan Mead and the UK’s Submarine Delivery Agency CEO Sir Chris Gardner shared perspectives on AUKUS in a changing strategic environment.

Consul General Colleen Altstock also met with U.S. companies exhibiting at IODS, including Teledyne FLIR, General Dynamics, Glenair, Planet Material Labs, Raytheon, Amentum, Metal Shark Boats, and Clarke & Esposito, highlighting the growing U.S. industry presence in Western Australia. She also met with Australian companies partnering with the United States like Greenroom Robotics and Hyperion Systems.

📸 Photo album: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUU8Y

SUBMARINERS SERVICE ⚓
Today we joined The City of Albany for the 50th anniversary of the U.S. Submariners Memorial Service. During World War II, the port city warmly welcomed 31 U.S. submarines and a submarine tender, with its strategic location supporting critical missions.

Each year in May on U.S. Memorial Day weekend, the City hosts a commemorative service for the 3,505 U.S. submariners who lost their lives during the war defending freedom.

Consul General Colleen Altstock joined government representatives, defense personnel, veterans, families, and community members at Princess Royal Fortress to pay solemn respects to the brave individuals who did not return and are 'still on patrol.'

"Today we honor the brave U.S. submariners whose dedication and sacrifice during World War II helped protect the United States, Australia, and our Indo-Pacific allies against a common adversary," Consul General Altstock said.

"The 50th anniversary of this service is also an opportunity to remember the deep historical ties between Western Australia and the U.S. Navy and appreciate how this relationship continues today, particularly under AUKUS."

"This year also marks the 250th anniversary of American Independence, inspiring a renewed focus on U.S. history including our enduring alliance with Australia."

Our sincere thanks to the City of Albany and other partners for their support to recognize U.S. personnel.

📸 Photo album: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUHaL

LIFT OFF 🚀
WA’s newest space facility is now open! We got a sneak peak of Edith Cowan University (ECU)’s Satellite Cleanroom Facility in Joondalup yesterday. The center will be the assembly site for low earth orbit satellites which SpaceX will launch in February 2027. It’s a collaboration with Australian company LC60 AI, which uses the satellite data of Earth to help areas like agriculture and emergency response.

📸 Photo album: flic.kr/s/aHBqjCUtKz

GLOBAL HEALTH 🌎
We welcomed a delegation of U.S. medical leaders to Perth yesterday for the Biodesign Innovation Summit. The event saw international and local experts from healthcare, investment, research, government, and the startup community come together to advance global health including from Stanford Biodesign, NEMIC, and Inova Medical. Consul General Colleen Altstock hosted the delegation, WA Chief Scientist Professor Sharath Sriram and other representatives to celebrate America's health innovations and our many partnerships with Australia.

GARDEN ISLAND 🐬⚓
We had a fantastic time at the Royal Australian Navy's community event at HMAS Stirling in Rockingham on Saturday, celebrating 125 years of our Australian ally's service and history! Consul General Colleen Altstock enjoyed exploring the displays, meeting Navy personnel, and joining activities throughout the day.

📸 Australian Submarine Agency

LEST WE FORGET 🌹
“As we reflect on this solemn anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea, we honor the unwavering grit of our service members and remember those heroes who willingly laid down their lives in the defense of freedom. Standing shoulder to shoulder with our Australian partners, we will continue to champion the cause of peace and stability throughout the Indo-Pacific, ushering in a new Golden Age of security and prosperity for our Nation and our allies around the world,” President Donald J. Trump.

Consul General Colleen Altstock was honored to join the Naval Association of Australia and lay a wreath at a ceremony to mark the 84th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea at the City of Stirling’s Civic Gardens War Memorial on Saturday.

Read President Trump’s full statement: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/05/america-250-presidential-message-on-the-anniversary-of-the-battle-of-the-coral-sea/