Cambodian Military Chief Meets US Pacific Fleet Commander, Strengthen Bilateral Military Cooperation

Phnom Penh, August 7, 2026 – General Vong Pisen, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), received Admiral Stephen T. Webb Koehler, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, for a courtesy call and working discussion at the RCAF General Headquarters on August 7, 2026. During the meeting, both sides highly valued the progress of relations and military cooperation between Cambodia and the United States, especially between the navies of the two countries, through exchange visits, human resource training, naval ship visits, and preparations for joint training exercises in 2027. General Vong Pisen expressed gratitude to the United States for its contributions to Cambodia's peace process and development. He welcomed the continued strengthening of cooperation in national defense, combating terrorism, transnational crime, searching for the remains of missing American servicemen, and enhancing military capabilities. The Commander-in-Chief also reiterated Cambodia's stance on resolving border issues peacefully in accordance with international law and not recognizing any alteration of border lines by military force. In response, Admiral Stephen T. Webb Koehler praised Cambodia's commitment to peaceful dispute resolution. He affirmed the continuation of cooperation with the RCAF, including the resumption of the "CARAT" exercise in 2027, cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and participation in the SEACAT exercise to contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability. Source: AKP Khmer