WASHINGTON 

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will depart early next week for a trip to Hawaii, Guam, the Philippines, and Japan for talks, the Pentagon said Friday.

Hegseth will meet with senior US military and civilian leadership and take part in a series of bilateral meetings as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships for a "free and open" Indo-Pacific, chief spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement.

"As part of his first official visit to the region, Sec. Hegseth will first travel to (the state of) Hawaii to meet with civilian and military leaders from the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command," Parnell said.

Then Hegseth will travel to the US island territory of Guam, where he is expected to tour US military facilities and receive capabilities briefs.

In the Philippines, he will work to advance security objectives with Philippine leaders and meet with US and Philippine forces.

On the last leg of his visit, Hegseth will take part in a ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the World War II Battle of Iwo Jima and will later meet with Japanese leaders and US military forces.

"Secretary Hegseth's trip comes as the United States builds on unprecedented cooperation with like-minded countries to strengthen regional security," Parnell said.