Dayton Reporter

Congresswoman Ann Wagner, who chairs the Open-Source Intelligence Subcommittee of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and is a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, led intelligence meetings in Japan last week. The meetings aimed to review national security and intelligence issues with U.S. Military Commands and Japanese Self Defense Force officials, as well as to strengthen ties between strategic partners in Tokyo.

During her visit, Wagner met with U.S. Ambassador Deputy Chief of Mission Aaron Snipe, Mr. Yuki Tatsumi from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Intelligence Analysis Service, and leaders at the Cabinet Research and Intelligence Office (CIRO). As Chairman of the Open-Source Intelligence Subcommittee, Wagner oversees intelligence programs and partnerships that are designed to protect U.S. national security.

She also visited the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion and Asian Studies Detachment at Camp Zama, along with meeting Deputy Commander of the U.S. Seventh Fleet aboard the USS Blue Ridge in Yokosuka. In Okinawa, she met with leadership including the Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force, Consulate General staff, and members of the 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,” according to Wagner’s office. “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 for talks with Rear Admiral Kyle Gantt, Deputy Commander of U.S. Seventh Fleet—a force tasked with deterring aggression and ensuring Indo-Pacific security.

She also spoke with LTC Joshua Limberg, Commander of the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion. This unit conducts counterintelligence, human intelligence, signals intelligence, and open-source intelligence operations throughout the Indo-Pacific Command area.

At Camp Zama and other locations, Wagner met Chargé d'affaires Aaron Snipe at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo; Brigadier General Robert Brodie—Deputy Commanding General of III Marine Expeditionary Force—and leaders from 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade; as well as soldiers from 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), which trains and assists partner forces across the region.

Mike Turner is currently serving in Congress representing Ohio’s 10th district after replacing Tony P. Hall in 2003 (https://turner.house.gov/about/). Turner was born in Dayton in 1960 where he continues to live today. He earned his BA from Ohio Northern University in 1982 before completing a JD at Case Western Reserve University in 1985 followed by further studies at University of Dayton in 1992.

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